Classic Poem

What do 'ee say, my little maid,
What do 'ee say?
Sing 'ee something — a bit of a song?
'Tis what I be doing all day long,
Li'll maid, li'll maid.

I do look up into the sky,
A stretch of grey,
With a break of blue just here and there —
God compass 'ee with all that's fair,
Li'll maid, li'll maid.

I do look out upon the earth,
A stretch of green;
Fields and flowers, hedgerows and trees,
Send her a message 'pon every breeze,
Li'll maid, li'll maid.

I do watch the gulls goin' by,
Flying ashore;
Tell her how much I do love her, the dear,
Tell her how much I do wish she was here,
Li'll maid, li'll maid.

Up sail now, the tide is a-turned;
The wind's gone west —
My love do go with the seas to 'ee,
My love do fly 'pon the breeze to 'ee,
Li'll maid, li'll maid,