Judy Collins - Sailor's Life Lyrics






Oh, a sailor's life is a weary life
For he robs the girls of their delight
Causes them to weep, causes them to mourn
Loss of a true love, never to return

Oh, Father, Father, build me a boat
And on the world's oceans, I will float
Hail each captain, as I pass by
There, I'll ask for my sailor boy

Oh, captain, captain, tell me true
Does my own Willie sail with you?
Tell me soon, to give me joy
None will I have but my sailor boy

Oh no, kind lady, he's not here
He drowned in the gulf, and we buried him there
On the island, as we passed by
There, we left your sailor boy

Oh, she rung her hands, and tore her hair
Just like some lady in great despair
Called for a chair to sit her down
Penningdon for, to write it down

Oh, dig my grave wide and deep
Put a marble stone at the head and feet
On my grave, a turtle dove
Tell the world, I died for my love

Oh, a sailor's life is a weary life
He robs the girls of their delight
Causes them to weep, causes them to mourn
Loss of a true love, never to return





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Judy Collins Sailor's Life Comments
  1. D.... C....

    This was the year her son died. Her pain is visible. I don't know how she did it.

    D.... C....

    Actually it was 1994. Her son died in 1992 so a couple years after but still close.

  2. J.... S....

    MARVELOUS JUDY COLLINS!!!!

  3. J.... S....

    Beautiful and haunting

  4. G.... D....

    This is one of my favourite songs written by Judy Collins, very sad but optimistic too.

  5. C.... ....

    I think I have it on Judy's Special CD "Voices". Great song indeed deftly accompanied on the piano and with Judy's unique voice.
    Great thanks ! Merci beaucoup.

  6. B.... H....

    oliverjung1
    this is one of the best songs ever....

    i cannot tell you HOW MUCH it means to me...i listened to it during the painful recovery of post-traumatic disorder from having been abused as a child (i had "forgotten" that for more than 25 years...)

    "how did i find myself here in the dark of deserted shipwrecks" summed up perfectly how i felt then...and it still makes me cry, though i am so happy in my life as it is now...