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Down By the Seaside

[ Roud 1712 ; Ballad Index RcDBTSS ; trad.]

Shirley Collins sang Down By the Seaside on her 1974 Topic album, Adieu to Old England. It was also included in her anthologies Fountain of Snow, Within Sound and The Classic Collection, and on the Topic double CD of 1999, The Folk Collection. A.L. Lloyd commented in the original album's sleeve notes:

This gentle and unashamedly romantic broadside relic is from George Maynard of Copthorne, Sussex.

Lyrics

As I was a-walking down by the seaside
I gazed on a young damsel put her in surprise.
I stepped up to her, these words I did say,
“Well, my pretty fair maid, well, my pretty fair maid,
Are you going my way?”

“Oh no, oh no”, this young damsel replied,
“I'm seeking for my true love who's gone far and wide.
And if I don't find him it's here I'll remain.
I hope that my true love, I hope that my true love
Will return safe again.”

As she was lamenting and could not prevail,
She looked through her opera glass and saw the ship sail.
“May the heavens protect all lads on the main,
I hope that my true love, I hope that my true love
Will return safe again.”

As she was a-standing all on the same spot,
The news it came to her, her true love was shot.
“Now since it's been so, I'll go to some grove.
And if he died for honour, if he died for honour
Then I'll die for love.”