"The Dark Eyed Sailor" is an English ballad. This song is a typical broken token ballad (like "John Reilly", "Claudy Banks" and many more). It has been collected from oral tradition hundreds of times in all parts of Britain and Ireland, but all versions are virtually the same and can be traced back to one broadside printed in early 19th century. Therefore this song is sometimes cited as a proof for the damaging influence of the broadside on the variety of oral tradition. It was recorded by Christy Moore on Prosperous (1972), Steeleye Span on Hark! The Village Wait (1970) and by June Tabor & The Oyster Band on Freedom And Rain (1990). I learned it from the Steeleye Span recording.