On the lonely seabeat shore 
A maiden fair was weeping, 
Calling one who far away 
Beneath the wave was sleeping. 

Thus her sad unchanging strain 
Floated ever on the main 
Come o'er the billow, 
Ride the wave, 
Come while the wind bloweth, 
Willie my brave! 

He said his bark would soon return, 
And with a kiss they parted; 
But when a year had passed away, 
She then grew weary hearted;

Oh! 'twas sad, from day to day, 
To hear the maiden's plaintive lay 
Come o'er the billow, 
Ride on the wave, 
Come  while the wind bloweth, 
Willie my brave! 

None who knew the maiden's grief, 
And saw her heart's devotion 
Would tell her of the fragile bark 
That sank beneath the ocean; 

But when all hope had passed away, 
Her life breathed forth its parting lay 
Come o'er the billow, 
Ride on the wave, 
Come while the wind bloweth, 
Willie my brave!