My Boy Willie

It was early, early* in the spring
 When my love Willy went to serve the king
 And all that vexed him or grieved his mind
 Was the leavin' of his dear girl behind
 Oh, father dear, built me a boat
 That on the ocean I might float
 And view the ships, as they pass me by
 And to inquire, of my sailor boy
 She had not sailed long in the deep
 When a fine ships crew, she changed to meet
 And of the captain she inquired to (?)
 Does my love Willy sail on board with you?
 What sort of lad, is your Willy fair?
 What sort of clothes does your Willy wear?
 He wears a coat of royal blue
 And you'll easily know him, for his heart is true
 If that's your Willy, he is not here
 I doubt he's drowned, as we do fear
 'T was at yonder green island, as we passed by
 It was there we lost a fine sailor boy
 Oh, dig my grave long, wide, and deep
 Put a marble stone at my head and feet
 And in the middle, a turtle dove
 So the whole world knows, that I die (d) for love