Kate Rusby
"The Constant Lovers"

A sailor courted a farmer's daughter that lived convenient to the Isle of Man,
And mark good people, what followed after,
A long time courting and nothing done.
A long time courting but still discoursing of things concerning the ocean wide.
He said, "My darling, at our next meeting if you'll be constant
I'll make you my bride."

As for sailors, I don't admire them because they sails in so many parts.
First they love you and then they slight you
And leave you behind with a broken heart.
Don't say so my dearest jewel, I never intended to serve you so.
I have once more to cross the ocean, you know, my darling, that I must go.

The news was carried unto his mother before he set one foot on board,
That he was courting a farmer's daughter whose aged parents could not afford
One penny portion, down to the ocean, like one distracted his mother ran.
If you don't forsake her, your bride not make her,
I will dosown you to be my son.

Mother, Mother, you're in a passion, I'm sorry you have spoke too late.
Don't you remember in your first beginning
My father married you from a servant maid.
Don't you despise her, I mean to rise her,
As my own father to you has done.
And I will take you, my bride I'll make her, you may disown me to be your son.

When his truelove she heard the story, straight to the ocean then she did run.
Saying in a passion, you need not mind her,
We shall have money when they have none.
Money or not, you are my lot.
You have my heart and my free good will,
And I will take you,
Let my scolding mother say what she will.

The sailor married his farmer's daughter, they live contented in the Isle of Man,
And mark good people what followed after, a long time courting and all was done.
A long time courting and still discoursing of things concerning the ocean wide.
He said my darling, my dearest jewel, I love dearly my constant bride,
constant bride, constant bride, my constant bride.