I was a young maiden truly,
And lived in Sandgate Street;
I thought to marry a good man,
To keep me warm and neat;  
Some good-like body, some bonny body,
To be with me at noon;
But last I married a keelman,
And my good days are done.  

I thought to marry a parson,
To hear me say my prayers
But I have married a keelman,
And he kicks me down the stairs.  
He's an ugly body, a bubbly body,
An illfaured ugly loon:
And I have married a keelman,
And my good days are done. 

I thought to marry a dyer,
To dye my apron blue;
But I have married a keelman,
And he makes me sairly rue.  
He's an ugly body, a bubbly body,
An illfaured ugly loon:
And I have married a keelman,
And my good days are done. 

I thought to marry a sailor,
To bring me sugar and tea ;
But I have married a keelman,
And that he lets me see."  
He's an ugly body, a bubbly body,
An illfaured ugly loon:
And I have married a keelman,
And my good days are done -- done.