It's of a maid in Whitby Town / she was both fair and clever She used-to-sit by her father's door no matter what the weather A sailor coming home from sea, pockets overflowing Saw the maiden sitting there, quietly with her sewing
Won't you come along with me, my bonny oh my honey We'll go down to Whitby Town and spend a little money Father he would not agree / would be against his wishing And with a twinkle in her eye she said that he'd gone fishing
Chorus Blow away you Northern winds, blow away so cruelly Not so cruel as a pretty maid, for they'll deceive you surely.
This couple's gone to Whitby Town, soon they're making merry And at the tavern in the town, they spent a little money Night came down the stars came out, the lady said my sailor, Won't you come back home with me, I feel I must repay you.
Chorus
They went home and went upstairs, they turned down the covers Come to bed my sailor boy, let's you and I be lovers. The sailor jumped out of his clothes, quicker than he oughter, The door fell down and a man came in saying Who's that with me daughter.
Chorus
The sailor thru the window's leapt and to his ship's gone running He's left behind his clothes, his watch, the best part of his money Father with the daughter's gone down to the kitchen table To share the sailor's money out / as quick as they were able. Father's gone to buy new boots and a new suit from the tailor's The daughter to the door has gone to watch and wait for sailors.