Billy Taylor was a sailor, he was courtin' a fair lady
Instead of Billy gettin' married, he was forced untae the sea
But his bride soon followed after under the name of Richard Carr
Snow-white fingers, long and slender, covered ower wi' pitch and tar
Chorus (after each verse):
Fal-da-ral-da-rum-dum-deddy
Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day
She's dressed herself in sailor's clothing, oh but she was a bonnie young man
Away she sailed upon the ocean, all aboard the Mary Anne
A storm blew up upon the water, she bein' there amang the rest
The wind blew off her silver buttons and there appeared her snow-white breast
"Well, now," said the captain, "My dear lady, what misfortune brought you here?"
"I'm in search of my true lover whom you have pressed the other year"
"Well," said the captain, "My dear lady, tell to me the young man's name"
"Some folk call him Billy Taylor, William Taylor is his name"
"Well, if Billy Taylor's your dear lover, then he has proved to you untrue
He's got married tae another and left you here alone to rue
Rise ye early in the mornin', early at the break of day
And there you'll spy young Billy Taylor, walkin' oot wi' his lady gay"
She rose early up next mornin', early at the break of day
And there she spied young Billy Taylor walkin' oot wi' his lady gay
Gun and pistol she commanded, gun and pistol at her side
And there she shot young Billy Taylor walkin' oot wi' his new-made bride
(Chorus...)