Folk & Traditional Song Lyrics www.traditionalmusic.co.uk The Boatsman and the Tailor 
The Boatsman and the Tailor 
It was an old boatsman down in Dover he did dwell And he had a little wife and he loved her so well But when the old boatsman he got out of the way His frolicsome young wife with some tailor she would lay 
cho: To my rally daIly da do rally daIly day 
Now she was a walking down through the street This pretty little tailor she chanced for to meet Saying my husband's gone on board with the rest of his crew And now this very night I will lie along with you 
Then straight away home this couple they did go A kissing and courting and loving also But they hadn't been to bed about an hour by the clock Before the old boatsman at the door he did knock 
Now you get into my husband's chest and there you lie still And then you'll be so safe as any mouse in the mill And then she went downstairs for to let her husband in And there stood the boatsman with three of his men 
Now what has brought you here so late in the night You've put the little tailor in a terrible fright Why I have not a come to rob you nor disturb you of your rest But since I have come here I must have my chest 
Now these three able fellows being so stout and strong They took up the chest and carried it along But they hadn't carried the chest but a mile outside the town Before the heft of the chest made the sweatings to run down 
Says one to the other let us sit down and rest Says one to the other why the devil's in the chest Says one to the other I heard something knock Then up jumps the old boatsman and his chest he did unlock 
Now the chest he did unlock and was greatly surprised To see the little tailor all rubbing of his eyes Saying ,"Hullo my little fellow and how came you here Well you cuckolded me ever this last seven year." 
Now I'll press you to the seas and a slave thou shalt be And if I don't sweat thee there the devil shall sweat me Now I'll press you to the seas and a slave thou shalt be Thou shalt never stay at home to make a cuckold of me. 
DT #346 Laws Q8 JY