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Rosemary Lane Lyrics
When I was in service in Rosemary Lane
I won the good will of my master Amberdine
Until a young sailor came there to stay
And that was the beginning of my misery
He called for a candle to light him to bed
Aand likewise a silk hankerchief to tie up his hair
To tie up his hair as sailors will do,
"And third my pretty Polly, will you come too?"
Now this may seem young and foolish, she thought it no harm
To lie on the bed to keep herself warm
And what was done there, I shall never disclose
But I wish that short night had been seven long years
So early next morning this sailor arose
And into my pockets 3 guineas did throw
Saying"Tthis I will give and more I will do
If you’ll be my Polly wherever I go"
Now if it’s a boy, he’ll fight for the King
And if it’s a girl she’ll wear a gold ring
She’ll wear a gold ring and a dress all aflame
And remember my service in Rosemary Lane
When I was in service in Rosemary Lane
I won the good will of my master Amberdine
Until a young sailor came there to stay
And that was the beginning of my misery
I won the good will of my master Amberdine
Until a young sailor came there to stay
And that was the beginning of my misery
Aand likewise a silk hankerchief to tie up his hair
To tie up his hair as sailors will do,
"And third my pretty Polly, will you come too?"
To lie on the bed to keep herself warm
And what was done there, I shall never disclose
But I wish that short night had been seven long years
And into my pockets 3 guineas did throw
Saying"Tthis I will give and more I will do
If you’ll be my Polly wherever I go"
And if it’s a girl she’ll wear a gold ring
She’ll wear a gold ring and a dress all aflame
And remember my service in Rosemary Lane
I won the good will of my master Amberdine
Until a young sailor came there to stay
And that was the beginning of my misery
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I transcribed the lyrics exactly as I have heard them and this is what I have:
when I was in service in the rosemary lane I won the good will of my master amberdine 'til a sailor came there one night to lay and that was the beginning of my misery
he called for a candle to light him to bed likewise a silk hankerchief to tie up his hair to tie up his hair as sailors will do and third my pretty polly won't you come too
this may be young and foolish she thought it no harm to lie into bed why to keep herself warm and what was done there I will never disclose but I wish that short night had been seven long years
next morning this sailor so early arose and into my bra 3 guineas did throw saying this I will give and more I will do if you’ll be my pretty polly wherever I go
and if it’s a boy he will fight for the king and if it’s a girl she will wear a gold ring wear a gold ring and a dress all of light and remember my service in the rosemary lane
when I was in service in the rosemary lane I won the good will of my master amberdine 'til a sailor came there one night to lay and that was the beginning of my misery
I love this song, because I love old ballads in general.
This song is sad though, it's beautiful but so sad. Reminds me of the other ballads about no good sailors and poor maids. =(