It was down in yonder meadow,
I carelessly did stray,
There I beheld a lady fair,
All with a sailor gay,
He said, My lovely fair maid,
I soon must leave this shore,
To cross the briny ocean
In a British Man-of-War.
2. Fair Susan fell to weeping,
Young sailor" she did say,
Oh do not be so venturesome,
As to throw your life away,
For when that I am twenty-one
I shall receive my store,
So I pray you do not venture
On a British Man-of-War.
3. Oh, Susan lovely Susan,
The truth to you I'll tell,
The British Flag insulted is,
All England knows it well,
I may be crowned with laurels,
All like some jolly tar,
So I'll face the walls of China
In a British Man-of-War.
| 4. Oh do not be so venturesome
As to face the cruel Chinese,
For they will prove as treacherous
As any Portugese,
And by some deadly dagger,
You may receive a scar,
So William do not venture
On a British Man-of-War.
5. Oh Susan lovely Susan,
The time will quickly pass.
Will you come to the Ferry-House
To take a parting glass?
For my ship-mates they are ready,
To row me from the shore,
And I'll fight for Englands' glory,
In a British Man-of-War.
6. Then he took out his handkerchief
And he tore it clean in two,
Saying, Take this dearest Susan
And I'll do the same by you.
When the bullets they surround me
And the cannons they do roar,
I'll fight for Fame and Susan
On a British Man-of-War.
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