Judy Cook, Folksinger

When I Was a Fair Maid

As Sung By Judy Cook

WHEN I WAS A FAIR MAID
Traditional

When I was a fair maid about seventeen
I enlisted in the navy for to serve the queen
I enlisted in the navy, a sailor lad to stand
For to hear the cannons rattling, and the music so grand
The music so grand, the music so grand
For to hear the cannons rattling and the music so grand

Now the officer who enlisted me was tall and handsome man
He said you’ll make a sailor lad so come along my man
My waist being tall and slender, my fingers neat and thin
So very soon they learned me and I soon exceeded them
I soon exceeded them, I soon exceeded them
So very soon they learned me and I soon exceeded them

They sent me to bunk and they sent me to bed
To lie with the sailor lads I never was afraid
But taking off my blue coat, it often made me smile
To think I lay with a thousand men, yet a maiden all the while
A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while,
To think I lay with a thousand men, yet a maiden all the while

Then they sent me off to London town to guard the Tower
And I swear that I might be there ‘til this very day and hour
But a lady fell in love with me, I told her I was a maid
She went back to my captain and my secret she betrayed
My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed
She went back to my captain and my secret she betrayed

My officer stepped up to me and he asked if it was so
I dared not, I dared not, I dared not say no
“It’s a pity we should lose you, such a sailor lad you made
It’s a pity we should lose you, such a handsome young maid”
A handsome young maid, a handsome young maid
It’s a pity we should lose you, such a handsome young maid

So it’s fare you well my captain, you’ve been so kind to me
And likewise, my sailor lads, I’m sorry to part with thee
But if ever the navy needs a lad, a sailor I’ll remain
I’ll put off my cap and feathers and I’ll run the rigging again
I’ll run the rigging again, I’ll run the rigging again
I’ll put off my cap and feathers and I’ll run the rigging again