45 
TRANSLATION 
1 I have built a lovely sail-boat, O to sail upon the sea, 
And a jolly crew I’ve chosen: maidens fair and fancy-free. 
Come skip and dance with me, 
Come and trip it merrily! 
2 Maidens fair of fifteen summers, what a jolly crew they make ! 
I’m the boatswain hale and hearty, whistling while the white- 
caps break. 
Come skip and dance with me. 
Come and trip it merrily ! 
3 I’m the boatswain of the clipper, sailing through the stormy 
gales. 
And I saw my darling sleeping up among the canvas sails. 
Come skip and dance with me. 
Come and trip it merrily ! 
4 Up among the sails a-dreaming lay my darling all the while, 
I knew her for her beauty and for her enchanting smile. 
Come skip and dance with me. 
Come and trip it merrily ! 
5 I knew her dreaming beauty, her smile so sweet and fair, 
Her white and slender fingers, and the ribbon in her hair. 
Come skip and dance with me. 
Come and trip it merrily ! 
6 I saw her slender fingers, her hair in ribbons tied, 
I climbed up on the rigging and I sat down by her side. 
Come skip and dance with me. 
Come and trip it merrily ! 
7 I climbed up on the rigging, I sat down by her side. 
I told her of my fancy. “Be my true-love,” she replied. 
Come skip and dance with me, 
Come and trip it merrily ! 
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