Classic Poem

I once was in service
Down Rosemary Lane,
I had a kind mistress
And master the same.

One day a young sailor
Came to our house to tea;
And this was the commencement
Of my misery.

When supper was over
He hung down his head,
Then he asked for a candle
To light him to bed.

I gave him a candle
As a maiden should do;
Then he vowed and declared
That I should go too.

Me like a silly girl
Was thinking no harm,
So I jumped into bed with him
To keep myself warm.

Early next morning
When the young sailor arose
He threw in my apron
Two handfuls of gold.

" Oh take it, oh take it,
For the wrong I have done;
I have left you a daughter
Or else a fine son.

" If it be a daughter
She shall wait upon me,
But if it's a sonny,
He shall cross the blue sea.

" He shall wear a blue jacket
And his cap lined with gold;
He shall cross the blue ocean
Like his young father bold."

Now all you young lasses
Take a warning from me:
Never trust a young sailor
Whoe'er he may be.

They kiss you, they court you,
They swear they'll be true,
But the very next moment
They'll bid you adieu.

Like the flower in the garden
When its beauty's all done;
So you see what I've come to
Through loving that one.

No father, no mother,
No friend in the world,
So me and my baby
To the workhouse must go.