Well, there once was a maiden who lived all alone
And the moon it shone gentle and clear-o
And all she could find for to comfort her mind
Was to wander alone on the shore-o
Was to wander alone on the shore
And it's all the sea captain who followed the sea
Let the winds blow high or blow low-o
"I will die, I will die," that sea captain did cry
"If I don't get that maid from the shore-o
If I don't get that maid from the shore"
"Oh, I have got silver and I have got gold
And I have got costly ware-o
I'll divide, I'll divide with my crew," he did cry
"If they bring me that maid from the shore-o
If they bring me that maid from the shore"
Well, the sailors they hoisted a very long boat
And straight for the shore they did steer-o
Saying "ma'am, if you please, will you enter on board
For to view a fine cargo of ware-o
For to view a fine cargo of ware."
And with much persuasion they took her onboard
And the captain he welcomed her there-o
Saying "first you will lie in my arms all this night
And then I'll hand you to me crew-o
And then I'll hand you to me crew"
So she sat herself down at the stern of the ship
And the moon it shone gentle and clear-o
She sang charming and sweet, she sang neat and complete
She sang sailors and captains to sleep-o
Sang sailors and captain to sleep
Then she's robbed them of silver, she's robbed them of gold
She's robbed them of costly ware-o
And the captain's broadsword she did take for an oar
And she paddled her way to the shore-o
She paddled her way to the shore
"Oh, were my men mad drunk or were my men mad?
Or were they so deep in despair-o
For to let you away with your beauty so gay
For to paddle your way to the shore-o
For to paddle your way to the shore?"
"Oh, your men they weren't drunk, your men they weren't mad
Your men weren't so deep in despair-o
I deluded your sailors as well as yourself
Once again I'm a maid on the shore-o
Once again I'm a maid on the shore!"