O I will put my ship in order,
And I will set her to the sea,
And I will sail to yonder harbour
To see if my love minds on me.

I drew my ship into the harbour,
I drew her up where my true love lay,
I drew her close up to the window
To listen what my love did say.

O who is that at my bower window,
That raps so loudly and would be in ?
It is your true love that loves you dearly,
So rise, dear love, and let him in.

Then slowly, slowly rose she up,
And slowly, slowly came she down,
But before she had the door unlocked
Her true love had both come and gone.

Come back, come back, my only true love,
Come back, come back, come to my side,
I never grieved you, nor yet deceived you,
And I will surely be your bride.

The fish shall fly, the seas run dry, love,
The rocks shall melter with the sun,
The labouring men shall forget their labour,
Before that I return again.