Tom Willett - Riding Down to Portsmouth Lyrics

Now as I was a-riding along in the heighth* of my glory,
Now as I was riding along, you shall hear of my story.
Then I fell in love with a fair pretty maid
And I asked her if she'd go along with me
Some pleasure and some pastimes to see.
We're a-riding down to Portsmouth.

Now sailor, if I go along with you, then it's I must be carried,
Now sailor. if I go along with you, then it's I must be married.
Then she slept all in my arms all that night
And she gave me what was ten time worse
She left me all the reckonings to pay.
We're a-riding down to Portsmouth.

Oh landlord, tell me what there is to lay, for I might be missing,
Oh landlord, tell me what there is to lay, for I might be a-jogging.
For she's robbed me of my gold watch and purse
And she gave me what was ten time worse,
Now landlord don't you think I'm under a curse?
We're a-riding down to Portsmouth.

Saying, Damn me, to myself, now I've paid for my kissing.
Saying, Damn me, to myself, now I've paid for my learning,
Now my horse I shall leave you in pawn
And I be you through the wars I'll return.
And all gallus** girls I will shun
And I'll ride no more to Portsmouth.

* heighth dialect form of height
** gallus cursed, mischievous

Mary Ann Haynes sings Riding Down to Portsmouth
As I was a-riding along in the height of my glory.
As I was a-riding along shall I tell you of my story?
Oh, I met in love with a fair, pretty maid,
And I asked her if she'd come along with me
To see some pleasures and some fine company.
'Cause I'm on my way, oh, to Portsmouth.

She says Young man if I comes along with you I must be married.
She says Young man if I comes along with you I must be carried.
She laid all night all in the farmer's barn
And she robbed me of my gold watch and purse,
But she give to me ten times what it was worth.
I was on me way to Portsmouth.

I said, Damn, oh damn, oh damn, all to myself ain't I paid for my learnings?
I said, Damn, oh damn, oh damn, all to myself and I paid for my teachings?
Now my old horse, I will leave it right in pawn,
And back into the sea I mean to return.
Oh, don't you think I lays underneath a curse?
Now I'm on my way, oh, to Portsmouth.