The Handsome Young Man
Lyrics and music Traditional

Performed by Tania Opland and Mike Freeman
On Choice Fare (entitled When I Was a Young Maid)

When I was a young maid, about seventeen
I enlisted in the Navy for to serve the Queen.
I enlisted in the Navy, a sailor lad to stand,
For to hear the cannons rattlin' and the music so grand.
The music so grand, the music so grand.
For to hear the cannons rattlin' and the music so grand.

Well the officer who enlisted me was a fine and handsome man.
He said, "You'll make a sailor, so come along me lad."
Well, me waist being tall and slender and my fingers long and thin,
Oh the very soon they learned me I soon exceeded them.
I soon exceeded them, I soon exceeded them.
Oh the very soon they learned me I soon exceeded them.

They sent me to bunk and they sent me to bed
For to lie with the sailor lads I never was afraid
But in buttoning up me blue coat, it often made me smile
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while.
A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while.
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while.

They sent me to London to guard the tower
And I swore that I would be there until my dying hour
But a lady fell in love with me and I told her I was a maid.
She went up to my captain and my secret she betrayed.
My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed.
She went up to my captain and my secret she betrayed.

Well the captain, he came up to me and he asked if it were so.
I dared not, I dared not, I dared not say no.
"It's a pity we should lose you, such a sailor lad you made,
It's a pity we should lose you, such a handsome young maid."
A handsome young maid, a handsome young maid.
It's a pity we should lose you, such a handsome young maid.

So fare you well my captain, you've been so kind to me.
"And likewise, my sailor lads, I'm sorry to part with thee."
But if ever the Navy needs a lad, a sailor I'll remain.
I'll put off my cap and feathers and I'll run the riggin' again!
I'll run the riggin' again, I'll run the riggin' again.
I'll put off my cap and feathers and I'll run the riggin' again!

No background yet available. If anyone has information on the origins of this tune, please email me at lyrics@renaissancefestivalmusic.com.