In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
Mark well what I do say,
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
And she was mistress of her trade,
I'll go no more a-roving, with you fair maid.
A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ruin,
I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid.

I took that fair maid for a walk,
Mark well what I do say,
I took that fair maid for a walk,
And we had such a loving talk.
I'll go no more a-roving, with you fair maid.
A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ruin,
I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid.

I put my arm around her waist,
Mark well what I do say,
I put my arm around her waist,
So slim and trim and tightly laced,
I'll go no more a-roving, with you fair maid.
A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ruin,
I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid.


abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Singing Together, Autumn 1960, BBC Publications

Notes:
From The Shanty Book, Part II, Curwen and Son.

The tune is a simplified version of Hugill's, (see the abc project file for Shanties from the Seven Seas). The lyrics above have been 'rendered suitable' for primary school children; I have posted Hugill's lyrics in the discussion thread.

Roud: 649 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
Laws:
Child: