When I was a young girl at the age of sixteen From my home I ran away to go and serve the queen I listed in the Navy a sailor lad to stand To hear the canons rattle and the music play so grand The music play so grand, the music play so grand To hear the canons rattle and the music play so grand I dressed myself in trousers and cut my hair of short Then I went down to the harbor to see the ships in port The officer who listed me said we need every hand I think you'll make a sailor, so step this way young man So step this way young man, so step this way young man I think you'll make a sailor, so step this way young man He took me to me bunk mates down where the hammocs sway And lying by a sailor's side I never was afraid But taking off my old blue coat I sometimes used to smile To think my self a sailor and a maiden all the while A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while To think myself a sailor and a maiden all the while They sent me up to London to be gurad o'r the tower And there I wolud I have been until this very day and hour But a young girl fell in love with me and found I was a maid She went straightway to my captain and my secret she betrayed My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed She went straight way to my captain and my secret she betrayed My captain he sent for me to see if it were true And how could I deny the tale that he already knew Here's a pension of war for you, he smiled and he said It's a pity we should lose you such a sailor as you made Such a sailor as you made, such a sailor as you made It's a pity we should lose you such a sailor as you made So fare thee well my captain, you have been kind to me And fare thee well my comrades, you ne'er forgot shall be And should the British nay fall short of any men, I'll doff off my hat feathers and I'll run the rigging again I'll run the rigging again, I'll run the rigging again I'll doff off my hat and feathers and run the rigging again