Lyrics
I am a maid that's deep in love???
The speaker identifies as a deeply in love maiden.
But yes I can complain
Expresses the ability to voice complaints despite love.
???I have in this world but one true love
There's only one true love in the world for the speaker.
???And Jimmy is his name???
Identifies the true love as someone named Jimmy.
And if I do not find my love
If the speaker doesn't find Jimmy, she'll mourn constantly.
???I'll mourn most constantly???
Continued expression of grief if Jimmy is not found.
And I'll find and follow Jimmy thro'
The determination to find and follow Jimmy through the lands of liberty.
???The lands of liberty
Reiterating the resolve to pursue Jimmy's trail.
??????Then I'll cut off my yellow hair???
Expresses a willingness to cut off her hair if needed.
Men's clothing I'll wear on
Willingness to dress as a man and work for passage.
???I'll sign to a bold sea captain
The speaker plans to sign up with a sea captain.
???My passage I'll work free???
Intending to work for passage without payment.
And I'll find and follow Jimmy thro'
Reiteration of the commitment to follow Jimmy.
???The lands of liberty
Continuing the determination to follow Jimmy.
??????One night upon the raging seas
Recalls a night on the sea, setting the scene.
???As we were going to bed
Describes being on the sea as they were going to bed.
???The captain cried
The captain bids farewell, expressing a wish for the speaker to be a maid.
\"Farewell my boy,???
The captain's sentiment about the speaker's allure.
I wish you were a maid???
The captain wishes the speaker had rosy cheeks and ruby lips.
Your rosy cheeks, your ruby lips???
The physical attributes are tempting the captain.
They are enticing me???
The captain wishes, with sincerity, for the speaker to be a maid.
And I wish dear God with all my heart
The speaker expresses a desire for the captain to be silent.
???A maid you were to me"??????
The speaker rejects the captain's wish for her to be a maid.
\"Then hold your tongue, dear captain
Advises the captain to refrain from such talk.
???Such talk is all in vain???
Dismisses the captain's words as futile.
And if the sailors find it out???
Anticipates mockery from sailors if the talk is exposed.
They'll laugh and make much game
Expectation of laughter and jest if the sailors find out.
???For when we reach Columbia shore
Upon reaching Columbia shore, the captain predicts finding prettier girls.
???Some prettier girls you'll find
Assures the captain he'll laugh, sing, and court with other girls.
???And you'll laugh and sing and you'll court with them???
Indicating the captain's inclination for courting.
For courting you are inclined\"??????
Speaks of the captain's tendency towards courting.
It was no three days after???
Indicates a short time after the captain's prediction.
Our ship it reached the shore???
The ship reaches the shore, and the speaker bids farewell to the captain.
\"Adieu my loving captain
The speaker bids a final goodbye to the captain.
???Adieu for evermore???
The speaker transitions from a sailor to a maid on shore.
For once I was a sailor on sea???
Reflects on the change from sailor to maid.
But now I am a maid on shore
Final farewell to the captain and crew.
???So adieu to you and all of your crew???
Declares the decision not to sail with the captain again.
With you I'll sail no more"??????
Repeats the resolution to cease sailing with the crew.
\"Come back, come back, my own pretty maid???
The captain calls for the speaker to come back.
Come back and marry me???I have ten thousand pounds in gold
The captain offers wealth (10,000 pounds in gold) to entice the speaker to return and marry him.
???And that I'll give to thee
The captain repeats the plea for the speaker to come back and marry him.
???So come back, come back, my own pretty maid???
The captain repeats the promise of wealth to persuade the speaker.
Come back and marry me"
The captain reiterates the call for the speaker to come back and marry him.
Comment