The Captain's Lantern Lament

[Verse 1] My captain sailed at break of dawn, And kissed my hand so grandly. He said, "Be good till I return." I said, "I'll manage handily." [Chorus] Tiddly-hi and tiddly-ho, The gulls all wheel and cry. There's many ways to pass the night When your sailor's gone to sea, my dears, And I'm a girl to try. [Verse 2] I keep his hat upon the shelf, His boots beside the door. But I don't spend my evenings weeping, I've far more interesting chores. [Chorus] Tiddly-hi and tiddly-ho, The gulls all wheel and cry. There's many ways to pass the night When your sailor's gone to sea, my dears, And I'm a girl to try. [Verse 3] The widow next door winked at me And asked if I was lonely. I told her, "Nay, I know myself, And that's companion only." [Chorus] Tiddly-hi and tiddly-ho, The gulls all wheel and cry. There's many ways to pass the night When your sailor's gone to sea, my dears, And I'm a girl to try. [Verse 4] When my captain does come home again, He'll find me bright and merry. For love's a thing one freely gives, Not chains one has to carry. [Final Chorus] Tiddly-hi and tiddly-ho, The tide runs full and free. I'll sing and laugh and twiddle on Till my sailor's back from voyaging, And what I do is up to me! [Outro] Tiddly-hi and tiddly-ho! Tiddly-hi and tiddly-ho! The sea is wide, the moon is bright, And what I do is mine tonight!