[Verse 1]
William Taylor was a brisk young sailor
Full of heart and full of play
Until he did his mind uncover
To a youthful lady gay
Four and twenty British sailors
Met him on the king's highway
As he went for to be married
Pressed he was and sent away
[Chorus]
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
[Verse 2]
Sailor's clothing she put on
And went to a board a man-of-war
Her pretty little fingers long and slender
They were smeared with pitch and tar
On the ship there was a battle
She amongst the rest did fight
The wind blew off her silver buttons
Her breasts were bared all snowy white
[Chorus]
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, dome daerai dae
[Verse 3]
When the captain he did discover
He said, "Fair maid! What brought you here?"
"Sir, I'm seeking William Taylor
Pressed he was by you last year."
"If you rise up in the morning
Early at the break of day
There you'll spy young William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay"
[Chorus]
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
[Verse 4]
She rose early in the morning
Early at the break o' day
Here she spied young William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay
She procured a pair of pistols
On the ground where she did stand
There she shot poor William Taylor
And the lady at his right hand
[Chorus]
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de-daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae