WHAT DOES THE DEEP SEA SAY?
(WHERE IS MY SAILOR BOY?)

(trad./CHARLIE MONROE)

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The tune of this traditional song was "borrowed" by BOB DYLAN for his own
"Troubled And I Don't Know Why" (performed with JOAN BAEZ).

• DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN to an excerpt (Real Audio, 72 KB).

Lyrics as recorded by DOC WATSON, mandolin/vocals, CLINT HOWARD, guitar/vocal; FRED PRICE, fiddle/vocal, SEATTLE FOLKLORE SOCIETY, 1967; released on "OLD TIMEY CONCERT" (1977)
Likely Doc Watson source: Monroe Brothers (RCA Victor LPV 507)

• DOWNLOAD & LISTEN to an excerpt performed by Doc Watson & Bill Monroe (REAL AUDIO, 127 KB)

Oh, where is my sailor boy;
Where is my sailor boy?
He sleeps at the bottom of the deep blue sea,
And he can't come back to me.

I stand on the beach alone
And gaze at the misty blue.
Deep sea, as you hold him to your breast,
Does he mention my name to you?

CHORUS:
Oh, what does the deep sea say?
What does the deep sea say?
It moans, it groans, it splashes and it foams,
And it rolls on its weary way.

Oh, please tell me, deep blue sea,
Is he sleeping peacefully?
The winds from the north are blowin' icy cold;
Can you keep him warm for me?

If only my grieving soul
Some token of love could find;
And if only the waves would show me where he sleeps,
Then I'd leave this world behind.

Oh, what does the deep sea say?
What does the deep sea say?
It moans, it groans, it splashes and it foams,
And it rolls on its weary way.

A beautiful rose, one day,
I placed on the crest of a wave.
I said, "Take it, please, and let it settle home
Above his watery grave."

The driftwood I watched in vain,
And my rose never came back again.
Oh, waves, take another message to my love Sayin' I'll need him alone.

Oh, what does the deep sea say?
What does the deep sea say?
It moans, it groans, it splashes and it foams,
And it rolls on its weary way.