If I Were a Blackbird

I am a young sailor my story is sad

Though once I was a carefree and brave sailor lad

I courted a lassie by night and by day

But now she has left me and sailed far away

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If I were a blackbird I'd whistle and sing

And follow the ship that my true love sails in

And in the top rigging I'd there build my nest

And lay down my head on her lilly white breast

If I were a scholar and could handle a pen

One secret love letter my true love I'd send

And tell of my sorrow my grief and my pain

since she's gone and left me in yon flowery glen

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I sailed over ocean my fortune to seek

I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek

I returned and I told her my love was still warm

But she turned away lightly and great was her scorn

Chorus

I offered to take her to Donnybrook fair

and buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair

I offered to marry and stay by her side

but she says in the morning she sails with the tide

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My parents they chide me they will not agree

Say married to my false love I never should be

but let them deprive me and do what they will

while there is breath in my body she's the one I love still

Chorus