Lyrics
When I was in service in Rosemary Lane
Reflecting on a past time when the narrator served in Rosemary Lane
I won the good will of my master Amberdine
Acknowledging gaining the favor of the master named Amberdine
Until a young sailor came there to stay
Introducing a turning point as a young sailor arrives, marking the start of trouble
And that was the beginning of my misery
Expressing that the sailor's arrival brought about the narrator's misery
He called for a candle to light him to bed
The sailor asks for a candle and a silk handkerchief, signaling intimacy
Aand likewise a silk hankerchief to tie up his hair
Describing the sailor's request for a handkerchief to tie up his hair
To tie up his hair as sailors will do,
Noting the common practice of sailors tying up their hair
"And third my pretty Polly, will you come too?"
The sailor invites "pretty Polly" to join him in bed
Now this may seem young and foolish, she thought it no harm
Describing Polly's perception that the situation is innocent
To lie on the bed to keep herself warm
Polly decides to lie on the bed to keep warm
And what was done there, I shall never disclose
Maintaining secrecy about what transpired on the bed
But I wish that short night had been seven long years
Expressing a wish that the short night had been longer
So early next morning this sailor arose
The sailor leaves early the next morning
And into my pockets 3 guineas did throw
The sailor puts 3 guineas into the narrator's pockets
Saying"Tthis I will give and more I will do
Expressing the sailor's willingness to do more for Polly
If you'll be my Polly wherever I go"
The sailor asks Polly to be with him wherever he goes
Now if it's a boy, he'll fight for the King
Speculating on the potential outcomes based on the child's gender
And if it's a girl she'll wear a gold ring
If a boy, he'll fight for the King; if a girl, she'll have wealth
She'll wear a gold ring and a dress all aflame
Describing the imagined luxurious future for a girl
And remember my service in Rosemary Lane
Reminding Polly to remember the narrator's service in Rosemary Lane
When I was in service in Rosemary Lane
Repeating the narrator's service in Rosemary Lane
I won the good will of my master Amberdine
Reiterating winning the goodwill of master Amberdine
Until a young sailor came there to stay
Reintroducing the arrival of the young sailor and the narrator's misery
And that was the beginning of my misery
Reiterating that the sailor's arrival marked the beginning of the narrator's misery
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