The Female Rambling Sailor
(Traditional, arranged by Sally Barker)

Come all you maids both near and far
And listen to my ditty
'Twas near Gravesend there lived a maid
She was so neat and pretty

Her true love he was pressed away
And drownded in some foreign sea
Which caused this fair maid to say
"I'll be a rambling sailor."

In her trousers blue and jacket white
Just like a sailor neat and tight
The sea, it was the heart's delight
Of the female rambling sailor

From stem to stern she freely goes
Braves all dangers, fears no foes
But soon you shall hear of the overthrow
Of the female rambling sailor

Never did her courage fail
Through stormy wind and stricken gale
Always did this fair maid prevail
This female rambling sailor

From stem to stern she freely went
Where oft times she'd been many
Her hand it slipped and down she fell
She calmly bid this world farewell

When her lily-white breast in view it came
It appeared to be a female's frame
Rebecca Wye, it was the name
Of the female rambling sailor

May the willows wave around her grave
Where the laurels are planted
May the roses sweet bloom at her feet
Of the one who was undaunted

Come all you maids both near and far
And listen to my story
Her body is anchored in the ground
Let's hope her soul's in glory

'Round the River Thames she's known quite well
No sailor there could her excel
Let one tear fall as a last farewell
To the female rambling sailor

This version arranged and sung by Bob Dylan, Sydney, NSW, 24-March-1992

transcription 12-July-2019 by serge