Come my own one, come my fair one,
Come now unto me,
Could you fancy a poor sailor lad
Who has just come from sea.

You are ragged love, you are dirty love,
And your clothes smell much of tar,
So be gone you saucy sailor lad,
So be gone you Jack Tar.

If I am ragged love and I am dirty love,
And my clothes smell much of tar,
I have silver in my pocket love
And gold in great store.

And then when she heard him say so
On her bended knees she fell,
I will marry my dear Henry
For I love a sailor lad so well.

Do you think that I am foolish love,
Do you think that I am mad,
For to wed with a poor country girl
Where no fortune's to be had?

I will cross the briny ocean,
I will whistle and sing,
And since you have refused the offer love
Some other girl shall wear the ring.

I am frolicsome, I am easy,
Good tempered and free,
And I don't give a single pin my boys
What the world thinks of me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the traditional folk song "Saucy Sailor" as performed by Steeleye Span tells a story of a young woman who is being courted by a sailor who has just returned from the sea. The woman is hesitant to be with the ragged and dirty sailor, but he assures her that he is not poor and has plenty of silver and gold. When she hears this, she falls to her knees and agrees to marry him. However, the sailor then questions her love and commitment to him, asking if she is foolish and mad to wed a poor country girl with no fortune. He then declares that he will move on and find another girl to wear the ring.

The song presents a classic tale of love and class divides. The woman initially looks down upon the sailor because of his appearance, but he is able to win her over through his wealth and charm. However, when faced with societal pressures, the sailor questions whether the woman truly loves him, or if she is just after his money. He ultimately rejects her and sets out to find another lover who is not concerned with material wealth.

Overall, "Saucy Sailor" is a timeless folk song that explores themes of social class, wealth, and love. It presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of relationships and the different factors that can influence them.

Line by Line Meaning

Come my own one, come my fair one,
As a sailor, I've traveled many seas, but now I am looking for a companion to share my experiences with.

Come now unto me,
I invite you to get to know me and my life story.

Could you fancy a poor sailor lad Who has just come from sea.
I hope that you can see beyond my rugged exterior and appreciate the depth and richness of my character.

You are ragged love, you are dirty love, And your clothes smell much of tar, So be gone you saucy sailor lad, So be gone you Jack Tar.
I see that you are skeptical of my intentions and social status, but I won't let that deter me from sharing my perspective and love with you.

If I am ragged love and I am dirty love, And my clothes smell much of tar, I have silver in my pocket love And gold in great store.
Although I may not have the most immaculate appearance, I am a resourceful and successful sailor who has accumulated treasure.

And then when she heard him say so On her bended knees she fell, I will marry my dear Henry For I love a sailor lad so well.
After hearing of his wealth and commitment to her, the woman was overjoyed and decided to marry the sailor man.

Do you think that I am foolish love, Do you think that I am mad, For to wed with a poor country girl Where no fortune's to be had?
Other people may think that the sailor man is foolish for marrying someone without wealth, but he knows that true love and connection transcends material possessions.

I will cross the briny ocean, I will whistle and sing, And since you have refused the offer love Some other girl shall wear the ring.
If the woman decides not to accept the sailor's offer of love and marriage, he will continue to journey and seek out someone who will appreciate him.

I am frolicsome, I am easy, Good tempered and free, And I don't give a single pin my boys What the world thinks of me.
The sailor is proud of who he is and won't let societal expectations or judgment affect his behavior or demeanor.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Y, MADDY PRIOR, NIGEL PEGRUM, RICK KEMP, TIM HART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Ben - Moderator

on Bonny Moorhen

50w

Hi Stuart, We have corrected the description above.

Stuart Tartan

on Bonny Moorhen

50w

The song Bonny Moorhen by Steeleye Span is a traditional Scottish ballad that tells the story of a bird, the Bonny Moorhen, and its journey through the glen and over the sea. The narrator of the song expresses affection and admiration for the bird and asks others to toast its health when they are out drinking. The Bonny Moorhen is described as having a rainbow of feathers, including blue, which is unusual for a bird, and invites it to come to the narrator. However, in the second verse, the song takes a darker turn as the narrator reveals that the bird has gone over the sea and will not return until the summer. But when it does return, only certain people will know, suggesting that not everyone will be happy about the Bonny Moorhen's return. The third verse introduces a new element to the story, two men named Ronald and Donald who are out on the fen, presumably trying to hunt or harm the bird. The narrator calls for the Bonny Moorhen to come to them for safety. Overall, the song is a mix of admiration for the beauty of nature and a warning about the dangers that can lurk in it. The Bonny Moorhen represents something pure and innocent, but there are those who would try to harm it, and the song is a call to protect it.

This description of the song completely misses the point in every way. It IS NOT about a bird.
It is an allegorical Jacobite-era song about Bonny Prince Charlie (the bonny moorhen). The colours mentioned, for instance, are the colours of the Clan Stuart tartan.

just now