Jonathan Byrd's musical universe delves into a number of genres but here is his very best song -- The Young Slaver. The link below apparently covers an entire Byrd concert.
Oh my dear, you prepare, are you going anywhere?
Oh my dear, back from town, are you to a vessel bound,
Off to war on an angry sea?
Fairest one, I love you, this is something I must do
Fairest one, if I stay, then your honor I’d betray
So I seek lesser company
Oh my dear, please don’t leave, there are tears upon my sleeve
Oh my dear, if you go, down the archipelago
You will never return to me
Fairest one, let me go, for you know I love you so
Fairest one, I’ll return and your marriage I will earn
With promotion and bravery
Oh my dear, you are gone, I will mourn you ere the dawn
All the young and the brave are the first to find their grave
In Her Majesty’s company
Fairest one never knew what I’m really set to do
Fairest one I never told, trading slaves for rum and gold
To win her from her family
Oh my dear, I have dreams, in the night I hear the screams
Oh my dear, in those lands, you have blood upon your hands
And your soul is in jeopardy
Fairest one of my land, I do not deserve your hand
Fairest one, like a fool, I have been the devil’s tool
And my soul is in jeopardy
Oh my dear, I have learned, all the ships of war returned
Oh my dear, as you know, they did not return with you
So I made you a grave by the sea
Fairest one, I have sins rum or gold could never cleanse
Fairest one, in the deep, I will lay my soul to sleep
And make me a grave of the sea
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