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.
