I cannot get to my love if I would dee,
The water of Tyne runs between him and me;
And here I must stand with the tear in my e'e,
Both sighing and sickly my sweetheart to see.

O where is the boatman? my bonny hinny!
O where is the boatman? bring him to me, -
To ferry me over the Tyne to my honey,
And I will remember the boatman and thee.

O bring me a boatman, I'll give any money,
And you for your trouble rewarded shall be,
To ferry me over the Tyne to my honey,
Or scull him across that rough river to me.

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Lucy Broadwood and J A Fuller Maitland. 1893, English County Songs, Leadenhall Press, London

Notes:
Lucy Broadwood' notes are:

Mr S Reay, Mus B., in a paper on "Northumberland Ballad Music", read before the National Society of Professional Musicians, in January 1892, states that this song was taken down by Mr Stokoe from the singing of an old man at Hexham and it has appeared in many song-books since 1793 - Musical News, January 22, 1892

There is no tempo indicated in the original music so I have given the music a tempo based on my personal preferences. However, most versions I have heard are still appreciably slower than that I have given and you may want to try slower renditions.

Roud: 1364 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: