John Wesley Harding - William and Nancy's Parting lyrics

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