The Sailor Cut Down In His Prime

As I was a walking down by the Royal Albion

Cold was the morning and dark was the day

When who should I see but one of me shipmates

Wrapped up in canvas and cold as the clay

Then beat the drum slowly

And play the fife merrily

Sound the dead march as you carry him along

Take him to the graveyard

Fire four volleys o?er him

He was a young sailor cut down in his prime

He asked for a candle to light him to bed

Likewise a flannel to tie round his head

His poor head was aching

His poor heart was breaking

He was a young sailor cut down in his prime

Then beat the drum slowly

And play the fife merrily

Sound the dead march as you carry him along

Take him to the graveyard

Fire four volleys o?er him

He was a young sailor cut down in his prime

His poor old mother his good old father

Oft times had told him about his past life

How along with those flash girls

His money he squandered

How along with those flash girls

He took his dear life

Then beat the drum slowly

And play the fife merrily

Sound the dead march as you carry him along

Take him to the graveyard

Fire four volleys o?er him

He was a young sailor cut down in his prime

At the top of his tombstone you?ll see these words written

All you young sailors take a warning by me

And never go courting with girls of the city

Flash girls of the city were the ruin of me

Then beat the drum slowly

And play the fife merrily

Sound the dead march as you carry him along

Take him to the graveyard

Fire four volleys o?er him

He was a young sailor cut down in his prime