I had a silver penny
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And an apricot tree
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And I said to the sailor
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On the white quay
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Sailor O sailor
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Will you bring me
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If I give you my penny
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And my apricot tree
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... fez from Algeria
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An Arab drum to beat
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A little gilt sword
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And a parakeet?
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And he smiled and he kissed me
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As strong as death
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And I saw his red tongue
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And I felt his sweet breath
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You may keep your penny
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And your apricot tree
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And I'll bring your presents
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Back from sea.
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O the ship dipped down
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On the rim of the sky
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And I waited while three
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Long summers went by
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Then one steel morning
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On the white quay
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I saw a grey ship
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Come in from sea
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Slowly she came
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Across the bay
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For her flashing rigging
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Was shot away
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All round her wake
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The seabirds cried
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And flew in and out
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Of the hole in her side
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Slowly she came
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In the path of the sun
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And I heard the sound
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Of a distant gun
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And a stranger came running
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Up to me
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From the deck of the ship
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And he said, said he
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O are you the boy
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Who would wait on the quay
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With the silver penny
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And the apricot tree?
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I've a plum-coloured fez
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And a drum for thee
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And a sword and a parakeet
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From over the sea.
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O where is the sailor
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With bold red hair?
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And what is that volley
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On the bright air?
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O where are the other
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Girls and boys?
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And why have you brought me
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Children's toys?
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-----------------
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Nursery Rhyme Of Innocence And Experience
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Natalie Merchant |