Sir Patrick Spens Lyrics - Sandy Denny

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.