Pretty Caroline

One morning in the month of May when brightly shone the sun, Upon the banks of Tilbury stream there sat a lovely one, She did appear a goddess fair, her dark brown hair did shine, It shaded the neck and bosom white of pretty Caroline. I said to her - 'My pretty maid, do you remember me? I am the jolly sailor which ploughed the Regency, And for courting of a pretty maid her parents did combine, They sent me off in a man of war from pretty Caroline. It's seven long years since I was bound all for to save the King, Where rattling cannons roared around, which made the deep sea ring, Here's gold and silver I have brought and freely would resign, Here's gold and silver for a ring, 'tis all for Caroline.' This maiden fair 'twixt joy and woe away from him she flew - 'Oh stand away without delay, unless you tell me true; Produce the ring, the braided ring, and a lock of hair of mine, No mortal man shall e'er deceive this faithful Caroline.' This braided hair and ring of gold young William did her show, Then Caroline and William unto some church did go, Down in some lofty mansion so splendid they did shine, The sailor blessed the month of May he met with Caroline.