The king sits in dunfermline town

Drinking of the blood red wine,

''where can i get a good sea captain

To sail this mighty ship of mine?''



Then up there spoke a bonny boy

Sitting at the king's right knee,

''sir patrick spens is the very best seaman

That ever sailed upon the sea.''

The king has written a broad letter

And sealed it up with his own right hand,

Sending word unto sir patrick

To come to him at his command.



''an enemy then this must be

Who told a lie concerning me,

For i was never a very good seaman

Nor ever do intend to be.''



''last night i saw the new moon

With the old moon in her arm,

A sign, the sign since we were born

That means there'll be a deadly storm.''

They had not sailed upon the sea

A day, a day, but barely three,

When loud and boisterous grew the winds

And loud and stormy grew the sea.



Then up there came a mermaiden

A comb and glass all in her hand,

''here's a health to you my merry young men,

For you'll not see dry land again!''



''oh, long may my lady look

With a lantern in her hand

Before she sees my bonny ship

Come sailing homewards to dry land.''

Forty miles off aberdeen

The water's fifty fathoms deep

There lies good sir patrick spens

With the scots lords at his feet.




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