“The Faithful Sailor Boy”
Description
A sailor and his true love bid a tearful farewell on the deck of the ship as it is about to sail. He dies on the voyage; his shipmates deliver the girl a letter in which he says they will meet in heaven
Notes
G. W. Persley has been listed as the author of this piece, but the song appears older.
The Sam Henry text "The Irish Soldier Boy" lacks many of the elements of fuller versions of this song, and also has a slightly different form. But it has so many elements in common with Laws K13 that I think it must be listed here. If it isn't Laws K13, it's swallowed several verses whole. - RBW
Broadsides
- NLScotland, L.C.Fol.70(64a), "The Sailor Boy," Poet's Box (Dundee), c. 1890
References
- Laws K13, "The Faithful Sailor Boy"
- Doerflinger, p. 164, "The Sailor Boy" (1 short text, 1 tune)
- SHenry H543, p. 103, "The Sailor Boy" (1 text, 1 tune); also probably H678, p. 89, "The Irish Soldier Boy" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Ranson, pp. 32-33, "The Faithful Sailor Boy" (1 text, 1 tune)
- McBride 60, "The Sailor Boy" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Manny/Wilson 68, "The Faithful Sailor Boy" (1 text, 1 tune)
- BrownII 111, "The Faithful Sailor Boy" (1 text plus mention of 3 more)
- Chappell-FSRA 33, "Sailor Boy" (1 text)
- Fuson, pp. 61-62, "The Soldier Boy" (1 text)
- DT 559, FTHFULSL
- Roud #376
- BI, LK13