The King sits in Dunfermline town Drinking a blood red wine, \"Where can I get a good sea captain To sail this 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 the sea.\" The King has written a broad letter And sealed it up with his own right hand, Sending word to Sir Patrick Spens To come at his command.
An enemy then this must be Who told a lie about me, For I never was a good seaman Nor ever do intend to be.
'Last night I saw the new moon With the old moon in her arm, A sign, a sign since we were born There'll be a deadly storm. They had not sailed upon the sea A day, but barely three, When loud and boisterous grew the winds And stormy grew the sea.
Then up there came a mermaiden A comb and glass in her hand, \"Here's a health to you my merry young men, For you'll not see dry land!\"
Oh, long may my lady look With a lantern in her hand Before she sees my bonny ship 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.