Where have you been, where have you been

my son, my merry son?

On the seashore, on the seashore

mother, my darling one.



And what have you been doing there

my son, my merry son?

I have been watering my horse

mother, my darling one.



Why is there blood upon your feet

my son, my merry son?

My horse stamped with its iron shoe

mother, my darling one.



Why there is blood upon your sword

my son, my merry son?

I have stabbed my brother to death

mother, my darling one.



What now of you, where will you go

my son, my wretched son?

To other lands to foreign lands

my dame, my darling one.



When will you be returning home

my son, my wretched son?

When all the world to judgement comes

my dame, my darling one.