- Bold William Taylor

Billy Taylor, youthful lover,
Full of love and loyalty,
Just as he was to get married
Pressed he was and sent to sea.

But the bride soon followed after
Under the name of Richard Carr:
Snow-white fingers long and slender,
All covered over wi’ pitch and tar.

She’s buttoned on the sailor’s clothing,
Dressed herself up like a man;
Away she sailed like a tarry sailor
All aboard the Mary Anne.

One day in the heat of battle,
Shot and shell were flying there.
Silver button flew off her waistcoat,
Left her lily-white breast quite bare.

When the captain did discover
He said “Fair maid, what brought you here?”
“Sir, I‘m seeking William Taylor.
Pressed he was by you last year.”

“If Billy Taylor’s your true lover,
He has proved to you untrue;
He’s got married to another,
Left ye here alone to rue."

“Rise ye early in the morning,
Early by the break o’ day,
There you’ll see young Billy Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay.”

She rose early the next morning,
Early by the break o’ day,
There she saw young Billy Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay.

Gun and pistol she’s commanded,
Gun and pistol by her side;
She has shot young Billy Taylor
Walking out with his new-made bride.

“Now,” says the captain, “My fair lady,
Come tell me what you’ve done.”
“I have shot young Billy Taylor
With a double-barrelled gun.”

When the captain did behold her
And the deed that she had done,
He did make her chief commander
Over a ship and a hundred men.