1
It’s of a pretty ploughboy was gazing o'er his plough,
His horses stood resting ’neath the shade.
’Twas down in yonder grove he went a-whistling to his plough
And he chanced there to meet a pretty maid.
2
And this was his song as he walked along:
“Sweet maid you are of high degree,
If I should fall in love and your parents come to know,
The next thing they would send me to the sea.”
3
Oh when that her parents they did come to know
The ploughboy was ploughing on the plain
The pressgang they were sent for and they pressed her love away
And they sent him to the wars to be slain.
4
Well early next morning she dressed all in best
Her pockets she lined well with gold
This maid she traced the streets with her tears all in her eyes,
Until she met a jolly sailor bold.
5
“O sailor have you seen my pretty ploughing boy?
The pressgang has taken him to sea.”
“He has just sailed for the fleet and his captain you can meet
If you care to take a ride along with me.”
6
They rode till they came to the ship her love was in
And unto the captain did complain:
“Have you seen my pretty ploughboy, Oh captain,” she did cry,
“That is sent to the wars to be slain.”
7
One hundred bright guineas she freely then pulled out
And gently she trolled them on the floor
The ploughboy he was sent for and she took him in her arms
Then she rowed her pretty ploughboy safe to shore.
8
Oh blessed be the day that all true lovers meet
And young men no longer sent to war.
She set the bells to ring and so sweetly she did sing
Because she found the lad that she adored.