It was early, early all in the spring
When my love Willy went to serve the king
The night being dark and the wind blew high
Which parted me from my sailor boy
Oh father, father build me a boat
For on the ocean I mean to float
To watch the big ships as they pass by
For I might inquire of my sailor boy
She had not sailed there for a week or two
When she spied the Captain and all his crew
O Captain, Captain come tell me true
Does my love Willy sail on board with you?
O fair maid, fair maid he is not here
He's lost or drowned that I am afraid
On you green island as we passed by
'Twas there we lost a fine sailor boy
She wrung her hands and she tore her hair
Just like a lady in deep despair
She called for paper, both pen and ink
And every night she did drop a tear
And every word she calls Willy here
O father, father dig me a grave
Go dig it long and go dig it wide
Place marble stone on my head and feet
That the world may know that I died in grief