William & Nancy's Parting Lyrics - John Wesley Harding

Come all you pretty maidens that have a mind to go 

All along with your lover for to face the daring foe 

I've a mind to venture where the cannonballs do fly 

All along with my love I'll go 

He says 'my lovely nancy I hope you'll not repine 

For I must go onboard our noble fleet to join 

Our orders are to sea my dear and now we must obey 

And behind me you must stay' 

She says 'my lovely william oh don't you leave me here 

I'll dress me as a seaman and along with you I'll steer 

Oh let me go along with you your mess mate for to be 

And I'll fight so manfully' 

He says 'my lovely nancy great danger is at sea 

Perhaps we may be shipwrecked or else be cast away 

And in the line of battle perhaps you may be slain 

So behind me you must remain' 

'your pretty little fingers they are so long and small 

You'll think it but hard usage our cable ropes to haul 

When the winds they do blow high and the billows loudly roar 

At home you must be on shore' 

So now my love has gone abroad as I do tell you plain 

Kind heaven shall protect him as he's ploughing on the main 

Protect him from all danger where the cannonballs do fly 

And send my william home again