A

[Verse]
       A
It was early, early all in the spring
            D                A
When my love Willie went to serve the king
               G             A
The night being dark and the wind blew high
            A
Which parted me from my sailor boy

[Chorus]
A
Oh father, father, build me a boat
          D      A
For on the ocean I mean to float
             G             A
To watch the big ships as they pass by
              A
For I might inquire of my sailor boy

[Verse]
            A
She had not sailed there for a week or two
                   D         A
When she spied the captain and all his crew
            G            A
Oh Captain, Captain, come tell me true
             A
Does my love Willie sail on board with you

[Bridge]
A D G A

[Verse]
              A
Oh fair maid, fair maid, he is not here
             D                    A
He's lost or drowned, that I am afraid
             G                   A
On yon green island as we passed by
               A
T'was there we lost our fine sailor boy

              A 
She wrung her hands and she tore her hair
            D               A
Just like a lady in deep despair
               G                   A
She called for paper, both pen and ink
          A
And every line she did drop a tear
And every word she calls Willie near

[Chorus]
           A             
Oh father, father, dig me a grave
          D                  A
Go dig it long and go dig it wide
             G                    A
Place marble stone at my head and feet
                   A
That the world may know that I died in grief