“It's Seven Long Years”

Description

Willie the sailor is gone seven years with no letter to Nancy. She regrets "it was my trembling hand deceived you, Caused my youthful tongue to lie." She dreams "Willie was landed safe on shore" but wakes to reality, "stark despair to reign supreme"

Supplemental text

It's Seven Long Years
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Helen Creighton, Folksongs from Southern New Brunswick,
#59, pp. 131-132. Collected from Angelo Dornan, Elgin, N.B.

It's seven long years and something better
Since Willie the sailor crossed over the sea,
And seven long years with never a letter
Nancy lamented bitterly.
"Willie dear, oh dearest Willie,
William dear it was not I,
It was my trembling hand deceived you,
Caused my youthful tongue to lie."

(1 additional stanza)

References

1. Creighton-SNewBrunswick 59, "It's Seven Long Years" (1 short text, 1 tune)
2. ST CrSNB059 (Partial)
3. Roud #2757
4. BI, CrSNB059