Oh, Yarmouth is a pretty town,
And shines where it stands,
And the more I think of it
The more it runs in my mind;
The more I think of it
It makes my heart to grieve,
At the sign of the "Angel"
Pretty Nancy did live.

The rout came on Sunday,
On Monday we march'd away:
The drums they did beat,
And the music did play.
Many hearts were rejoicing,
But my heart was sad,
To part from my true love
What a full heart I had!

Will you go on board of ship?
My love, will you try?
I'll buy you fine seafare
As money will buy.
And while I'm on sentry
I'll guard you from all foe!
My love, will you go with me?
But her answer was "No!"

Oh, Yarmouth is a pretty town,
And shines where it stands,
And the more I think of it
The more it runs in my mind;
The more I think of it
It makes my heart to grieve,
At the sign of the "Angel"
Pretty Nan I did leave.

 

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Broadwood, L, 1908, English Traditional Songs and Carols, London, Boosey

Notes:
Lucy Broadwood wrote:

Verses 2 and 3 of the original (for which see Journal of the Folk Song Society, Vol. iii., No. 10) are here omitted, and verse r is repeated. The first line of the song, with different names for the town, is a favourite one on old broadsides. The ballad belongs to a class which shows affinity with "The Streams of Sweet Nancy," "The Boys of Kilkenny" (on which Moore founded his modern song), and " The Meeting of the Waters," pieces of which appear upon a number of old broadsides curiously and variously patched together.

For very full notes on these see the above-mentioned journal.

In the book as published, the accompaniment draws on themes from "The British Grenadiers," "Rule Britannia," and "The Girl I left behind me" which are not reproduced here.

Roud: 1068 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
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