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Sir Patrick Spens

[ Roud 41 ; Child 58 ; G/D 1:17 ; Ballad Index C058 ; trad.]

Everyman’s Book of British Ballads Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Herioc Ballads, etc. Volume 1 Folk Songs and Ballads of Scotland Last Leaves of Traditional Ballads and Ballad Airs Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border The Oxford Book of Ballads The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles

Ewan MacColl sang Sir Patrick Spens in 1956 on his and A.L. Lloyd’s Riverside anthology The English and Scottish Popular Ballads (The Child Ballads) Volume II, in 1961 on his Folkways album The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol. 1—Child Ballads, and in 1986 on his and Peggy Seeger’s album Blood & Roses Volume 4. The Folkways album’s booklet noted:

Motherwell has suggested that this fine ballad may be based upon the events following the marriage of Margaret, daughter of Alexander III of Scotland to Eric, King of Norway, in 1281. Many of the nobles who conducted the young queen to Norway were drowned on the return voyage.

Jean Redpath sang Sir Patrick Spens in 1962 on her Elektra album Scottish Ballad Book. She noted:

Two historical events may have some relation to the story as we have it here. On the return voyage, when Margaret, daughter of Alexander III of Scotland, was taken to wed Eric of Norway, many nobles are reported as having been drowned during a storm. A second voyage was made after the death of Alexander in 1285, to bring home his granddaughter, Margaret, who was heir to his throne. On this occasion there is no record of a shipwreck, and in neither is there any mention of Sir Patrick Spens. Like so many of the big ballads though, this, one of the most poetic of them all, needs no seal of authenticity from historical records. With its startlingly effective use of understatement and its pervasive, haunting melancholy, the drama is as real and as moving now as it was the first time I heard it.

Rory and Alex McEwen sang Sir Patrick Spens on the 1963 Hullabaloo ABC Television programme broadcast on 9 November 1963.

Fairport Convention rehearsed Sir Patrick Spens in 1969 during their Liege and Lief recording sessions with Sandy Denny singing. This track was left out of the final LP, however, but it was included in 1995 on Ashley Hutchings’ anthology The Guv’nor Vol 2 with an early fade out, and as bonus track on the 2002 CD reissue of Liege and Lief.

A BBC radio version from the “Top Gear” session recorded on 23 September 1969 can be found on Fairport Convention’s semi-bootleg From Past Archives with Sandy taking lead vocals and having some trouble on the low notes. IMHO, this version is better than the later studio one. This track was re-released on the Fairport unConventioNal 4CD set (even though this record’s sleeve notes incorrectly claim this to be the Liege and Lief sessions out-take), and on the 5CD Fledg’ling Sandy Denny anthology A Boxful of Treasures.

In 197o, Fairport “officially” recorded and released Sir Patrick Spens for their album Full House with Dave Swarbrick taking lead vocals. A Fairport live version from the 1970 Los Angeles gigs appears on the album Live at the L.A. Troubadour and on the compilation Fiddlestix: The Best of Fairport 1972-1984. A further version—most likely from a BBC Radio “Sounds on Sunday” session at the Royal Albert Hall early in 1971—is on the compilation The Harvest of Gold.

Nic Jones sang Sir Patrick Spens in 1970 on his first solo album, Ballads and Songs. He commented in his album sleeve notes:

Three very common ballads are included in this record: Sir Patrick Spens, The Outlandish Knight and Little Musgrave. All three are well-known to anyone with a knowledge of balladry, as they are well represented in most ballad collections.

The tune of Sir Patrick Spens is basically that which appears in Christie’s Traditional Ballad Airs, a collection well worth working through for anyone after some good tunes.

Peter Bellamy sang Sir Patrick Spens in 1982 on his privately issued cassette The Maritime England Suite, which was intended for a proposed BBC radio broadcast, We Have Fed Our Sea.

Brian Peters sang Sir Patrick Spens in 1989 on his Harbourtown album Fools of Fortune.

Duncan Williamson sang Sir Patrick Spens at home in Fife to John Howson in August 1991. This recording was included in 2014 on his Veteran album Put Another Log on the Fire. He also sang it at he Fife Traditional Singing Festival, Collessie, Fife in May 2003 or May 2004, which was included in 2005 on the festival anthology Here’s a Health to the Company (Old Songs & Bothy Ballads Volume 1).

Martin Carthy sang Sir Patrick Spens on his 1998 album Signs of Life, accompanied by himself on guitar and by Eliza Carthy on fiddle. This track was also included in 2001 on The Carthy Chronicles. He also sang it live in studio in July 2006 for the DVD Guitar Maestros and at the Edinburgh International Festival 2009 with Concerto Caledonia, which was released in 2010 on their CD Late Night Sessions. Carthy noted in his original recording:

It was when I was about seven or eight that my mother first showed me Sir Patrick Spens, and it was many years before I understood that these things are supposed to be sung. The first tune I heard was from Ewan MacColl and subsequently others from Fairport and the great and marvellously inventive Nic Jones, who dug out what I think is the best tune to carry that song, and which I sing here. Nic recorded it on his first album which lies, along with 80% of his recorded output and a very large chunk of the work of other ’70s musicians in a record company’s maw. Or should that be mausoleum? Either way, it’s sad that such spring heeled guitar playing and singing should lie unheard.

This video shows Martin Carthy playing Sir Patrick Spens at No Direction Home Festival on 10 June 2012:

Ray Driscoll sang Sir Patrick Spens to Gwilym Davies possibly in September 2000. This recording was published in 2008 on his posthumous album Wild, Wild Berry. Gwilym Davies noted:

Ray learnt the tune from a Scottish fellow worker during WW II. The singer told him that the tune was Sir Patrick Spens but could not provide any words, so Ray found the words in a printed source. The tune is basically the same as that sung by Ewan MacColl.

Jack Beck sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2001 on his Tradition Bearers CD Half Ower, Half Ower tae Aberdour (which got its title from the ballad’s last verse).. He noted:

This is the famous ‘Dunfermline Ballad’—not historically accurate, but a great story for all that. It can be found in all the major collections, and is more often heard recited than sung. The tune is from the singing of my friend Duncan Williamson; the words are collated from Duncan’s and the more common printed texts.

Jock Duncan sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2001 on his Sleepytown album Tae the Green Woods Gaen.

Louis Killen recorded Sir Patrick Spens as a bonus track for the 2001 CD reissue of his 1989 cassette The Rose in June.

Jim Malcolm sang Sir Patrick Spens on his 2002 album Home and, in a Glenfarg City Hall, Scotland, live recording from 22-23 November 2003, on his 2004 album Live in Glenfarg. He noted:

Most Scottish children are taught this medieval epic at school and I have used one verse to create a chorus song. It became known as Sir Patrick Expense in the studio as it sucked up so much time.

June Tabor recorded Sir Patrick Spens in 2003 for her album An Echo of Hooves. This track was also included in her anthology Always. She noted on her original album:

First appearing in Percy’s Reliques, 1765, Child “does not feel compelled to regard this ballad as historical” but Margaret, daughter of Alexander the Third of Scotland was married in 1281 to Eric, King of Norway. She was taken by ship to Norway in the August of that year with a large escort of Noblemen, many of whom were drowned on the voyage home.

Paul and Liz Davenport sang Sir Patrick Spence in 2006 on their Hallamshire Traditions album Under the Leaves.

Kris Drever sang Patrick Spence on his 2007 album Black Water.

John Roberts sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2007 on his Golden Hind album Sea Fever. He noted:

I learned Nic Jones’ version of Sir Patrick Spens quite a few years ago when I was asked to sing some ballad examples in an English class at Union College. It lay dormant for a while, but I gradually started wondering if I could work out a concertina arrangement for it.

Regal Slip sang Patrick Spens in 2008 on Graham and Eileen Pratt’s album The Greek King’s Daughter. They noted:

The ancient ballad is thought to refer to the ill-fated voyage to fetch the Maid of Norway home to Scotland in 1290. Graham had the original idea of setting the words to the Thomas Tallis 4-part psalm Why Fum’th in Fight (1567). The same Tallis hymn inspired Vaughan Williams’ glorious Fantasia.

Regal Slip member Ron Taylor and Jeff Gillett sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2013 on their WildGoose CD Buy It, Try It (and Never Repent You). Jeff Gillett noted:

The four verses come from John Jacob Niles [The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles] and really reduce the story to its bare bones. Graham Pratt set the text to Thomas Tallis’s sumptuous tune and Ron originally sang this in a four-part harmony arrangement with Regal Slip. The opportunity to add hurdy-gurdy to the arrangement was fortuitous.

Martin Simpson sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2009 on his Topic CD True Stories.

Wendy Weatherby sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2010 on her Fellside album A Shirt of Silk or Snow.

Jon Boden sang Sir Patrick Spens as the 25 February 2011 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day. He noted in his blog:

One of the finest ballad melodies going, as discovered by Nic Jones. I heard this first from a brilliant version on Martin Carthy’s Signs of Life album, and have had the great privilege of playing on Martin Simpson’s equally brilliant version. No surprise then that I didn’t opt for a guitar accompaniment on this one…

Gordon Jackson sang Sir Patrick Spens on his 2011 album It’s Cold by the Door. He noted:

One of the best known of the Child Ballads (no. 58), this is the version sung by Nic Jones.

Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer sang Sir Patrick Spens on their 2013 album Child Ballads.

Hector Gilchrist sang Sir Patrick Spens in 2018 on his WildGoose CD Gleanings. He noted:

There are many versions of this well known Scottish ballad, some much longer than others, combining as it does in true tabloid fashion two tales relating to an original fated sea journey and the later voyage, which was sent to bring to Scotland the young “Maid of Norway”, to be betrothed to a son of the Scottish king. It is a bit “economical” with the true facts but makes a good story. However no surprise that a group of Scots Lords out for a party are accused of drinking their hosts dry!

David Cambridge sang Sir Patrick Spens on his 2019 CD Songtales. He noted:

I have always liked this old Scottish ballad and it develops quite a head of steam as the tragedy unfolds. The ballad tells of the luckless, non-nautical Sir Patrick, who is royally stitched up by one of the courtiers, who manages to convince the king that Sir Patrick is a fine mariner.

Lyrics

Ewan MacColl sings Sir Patrick Spens on Blood & Roses Volume 4

The king sits in Dunfermline toon
A-drinkin’ at the wine,
And he has ca’d for the strangest skipper
In Fife and a’ the land.

Then oot and spak’ an auld carle
Stood by the king’s ain knee:
“Patrick Spens is the strangest sailor
That ever sailed the sea.”

The king has screivit a lang letter
And signed it wi’ ’s ain hand;
And sent it to young Patrick Spens,
Was walking on Leith Sands.

“To Norrowa’, to Norrowa’
To Norrowa’ ower the faem;
The king’s dochter o’ Norrowa’
’Tis ye maun bring her hame.”

When first he lookit the letter on,
A muckle laugh gied he;
But ere he’d done the readin’ o’t
The saut tear blint his e’e.

To Norrowa’, to Norrowa’
To Norrowa’ ower the faem;
The king’s dochter o’ Norrowa’
’Tis I maun bring her hame.

They hadnae been in Norrowa’
A week but barely three,
When a’ the lords o’ Norrowa’
Did up and spak’ sae free.

These ootland Scots waste oar king’s gowd
And swallow oor queen’s fee.
Weary fa’ the tongue that spak’
Sic a muckle lee.

Tak tent, tak tent, my good men a’
And see ye be weel forn,
For come it wind or come it hail,
Oor guid ship sails the morn.

Then oot and spak’ the weatherman,
“I fear we’ll a’ be drooned,
For I saw the new moon late yestreen
With the auld moon in her airms.”

They hadnae sailed a league, a league,
A league but barely three,
When the lift grew laich and the wind blew haich
And the ship it was a wreck.

O, whaur will I get a bonnie boy
To tak’ my steer in hand?
While I climb up the high topmast
To see if I can spy land.

O laith, laith were oor guid Scots lords
To wet their cork-heeled shoon,
But lang ere all the ploy was done,
They wet their hats abune.

O, lang, lang will our ladies sit
Wi’ their gowd kaims in their hands
Before they see young Patrick Spens
Come walkin’ on Leith Sands.

Half ower, half ower by Aberdour
Whaur the sea’s sae wide and deep,
It’s there it lies young Patrick Spens
Wi’ the Scots lords at his feet.

Fairport Convention’s Sir Patrick Spens from the Liege and Lief recording sessions

The King sat 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, a 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 wind
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.

Fairport Convention’s 1969 BBC “Top Gear” session

The King sat 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, new moon
With the old moon in her arm,
And that is 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 wind
And loud and stormy grew the sea.

Then up there came a mermaiden,
A comb and glass all in her hand,
“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.

Peter Bellamy sings Sir Patrick Spens

The King sits in Dunfermline town,
A-drinking at the wine,
And he has called for the finest skipper
In Fife or all the land.

Then up and spoke an old man
Who sat by the King’s right knee;
He says: “Patrick Spens is the finest sailor
That ever sailed on the sea.”

So the King he wrote a broad letter,
He signed it with his hand.
He sent it to young Sir Patrick Spens
Who was walking on Leith strand.

“To Norrowa, to Norrowa,
To Norrowa o’er the foam,
The King’s daughter in Norrowa
’Tis you must bring her home.”

Now, they had not been in Norrowa
A week but barely three,
When all the lords in Norrowa
They up and they spoke so free.

They say: “These outland Scots they drink our King’s gold,
They swallow our Queen’s fee.”
Oh woe upon the tongue that told
Such a dreadful lie!

“And how can this be?” cries Sir Patrick Spens,
“So I pray now, tell it unto me!
When the bows of our ship they are wrought in gold
And we’ve twelve chests of white money.”

“But take heed, take heed, my good men all
And mind you be forewarned:
For cometh wind or cometh hail,
Our good ship sails in the morn.”

But up then spoke the weatherman,
It’s, “I fear we all be drowned!
For I saw the new moon late yest’reen
With the old moon laying in her arms.”

Now they had not sailed a league, a league,
A league but barely three,
When the skies they run black and the seas run high
And that ship she was nigh a wreck.

Then it’s, “Where can I find me some bonny boy
To take the steer in hand,
While I climb up to the high topmast
To see if I can spy the land.”

But he had not taken a step, a step,
A step but barely one,
When the bows of that good ship did crack
And the salt seas they rushed in.

Then loth, oh loath were those proud Scots lords
For to wet their cork-heeled shoes,
But ere the race it was halfway run
They’d wet their hats also.

Now long and long may the ladies sit
With their fans all in their hands
Before they see Sir Patrick Spens
Come sailing to Leith strand.

It’s alf ower, half ower to Aberdour
Where the seas they run so deep,
It’s there does lie young Sir Patrick Spens
With the Scots lords at his feet.

Martin Carthy sings Sir Patrick Spens

Oh the king sits in Dunfermline town
A-drinking the blood-red wine,
Says, “Where will I get me a brave young skipper
Sail this ship of mine?”

And up and spoke an old, old man,
Who sat at the king’s right knee.
He says, “Patrick Spens is the very best sailor
Who ever did sail on the sea.”

So the king he has written him a long, long letter
Sealed it with his hand,
And he sent it along to Patrick Spens
Who was walking down on the sand.

And the very first line that Patrick read
So loud, so loud laughed he,
And the very next line that Patrick read
Down he fell to his knee.

“Oh, who is this, who has done this deed
Telling the king on me,
For to send us out this time of the year
To sail on the salt, salt sea?”

“To Norway, to far Norway,
To Norway over the foam.
It is the king’s daughter of far Norway
And we must bring her home.”

Now they set sail with all good speed
On a Monday in the morn,
And they have arrived far over the sea
On a Wednesday in the eve.

And they’d not been in far Norway
A week but barely three,
When all those lords of far Norway
Began out aloud for to say:

“Oh, you Scots foreigners spend our king’s gold,
Swallow up our money.”
“Oh, weary weary the tongue that lies,
See how it lies on thee.”

“Make ready, ready my good men all,
The little ship sails in the morn.
Be it wind, be it wet, be it hail, be it sleet,
Be it fair or deadly storm.”

But up and spoke our own weatherman,
“I fear we’ll all be drowned.
For I saw the new moon late last night,
The old moon in her arm.”

And they’d not sailed a league and a league,
A league but barely three
When through and through the little ship’s side
[They?] spied the green-walled sea.

“Oh, where will I get me a brave young boy,
Take my helm in hand,
While I climb up to the tall topmast,
See can I spy land.”

And he’d not gone a step and a step,
A step but barely one,
When the whirling winds and the ugly jaws
Came a-driving to their shin.

“Oh, fetch me a web of the silken cloth,
Another web of the twine,
And lay them around our little ship’s side
Let not the sea come in.”

And they got a web of the silken cloth,
Another web of the twine,
And they laid them around the little ship’s side,
Still the sea come in.

Oh, the anchor snapped, the topmast cracked,
It was a deadly storm.
And the whirling winds and the ugly jaws
Came a-driving to their chin.

And there came a gale from the north-north-east,
So loud, so loud it weep,
It cried, “Patrick Spens and all of his men
Are drowning in the deep.”

And loath, loath were the good Scots lords
To wet their shining shoen,
But long and ere this day was done
Their hats were soaking through.

And many were the fine feather bed
Flattering over the foam,
And many were the good lords’ sons
Never, never more come home.

And long, long will the ladies sit,
Their gold combs in their hand,
Before they see Sir Patrick Spens
Come a-sailing to dry land.

Oh, it’s east by north from Aberdour,
It’s fifty fathom deep.
And it’s there it lies Patrick Spens,
The Scots lords at his feet.

Jim Malcolm sings Sir Patrick Spens

The king sits in Dunfermline town
Drinking the blude-red wine;
“Whare will I find a skeely skipper
To sail this new ship o mine?”

And up and spak the eldest knicht
From where he sat by the king’s richt knee;
“Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
That ever sail’d the sea.”

The king has written a braid letter
And seal’d it with his hand
And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens
Who was walking on the strand.

The first word that Sir Patrick read
So loud, loud laugh did he;
The neist word that Sir Patrick read
The tears blinded his e’e.

Chorus (repeated)
“To Noroway, to Noroway
To Noroway o’er the faem,
The king’s daughter o Noroway,
It’s you must bring her hame.”

“O wha is this has done this deed
And tauld the king o me
To send us out, this time of year
To sail upon the sea?”

“Be it wind, weet, hail, or sleet
Our ship must sail the faem;
The king’s daughter o Noroway
’Tis we must bring her hame.”

“Mak ready all my merry men
our gude ship sails the morn.”
“Alas alack, my master dear,
for I fear a deadly storm.

I saw the new moon late yestreen
Wi’ the auld moon in her arm;
And if we gang to sea the morn
I fear we’ll come to harm.”

Chorus (repeated)

They hadna sail’d a league, a league
A league but barely three
The darkness grew the wind blew loud
And gurly grew the sea.

The ankers brak, the topmast lap
And it was sic a deadly storm:
The waves cam owre the broken ship
Till a’ her sides were sorely torn.

O laith o laith, were our Scots lords
To wet their cork-heel’d shoon;
But lang afore the play was play’d
They wat their hats aboon.

And mony was the feather bed
That flatter’d on the faem;
And mony was the gude lord’s son
That never mair cam hame.

Chorus (repeated)

O lang, lang may the ladies sit
Wi’ their fans into their hand
Before they see Sir Patrick Spens
Come sailing to the strand.

Half-owre, to Aberdour
Tis fifty fathoms deep;
And there lies Sir Patrick Spens
Wi’ the Scots lords at his feet.

Digital Tradition version of Sir Patrick Spens

The King sits in Dunferlane toon
A-drinkin’ at the wine,
And he has called for the best skipper
In Fife and all the land.

Then out there spoke an old carle,
Sat by the King’s own knee,
Says, “Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
That ever sailed the sea”

The King has written a long letter
And signed it with his own hand,
And sent it to young Patrick Spens
Was walking on Leith strand.

“To Norowa, to Norowa,
To Norowa over the foam.
The King’s daughter of Norowa,
Tis you must bring her home.”

The first line that Sir Patrick read
A loud, loud laugh laughed he,
The next line that Sir Patrick read
A tear blinded his e’e.

“Oh who is this has done this deed
And told the King of me,
To send me out this time of year,
To sail upon the sea?”

They hadn’t been in Norowa
A week but barely three,
When all the lords of Norowa
Got up and spak’ so free:

“The outland Scots waste our King’s gold
And swallow our Queen’s fee”
“Oh weary for the tongue that speaks
Such a mortal lie”

“Take tent, take tent, my good men all
Make sure you are well forn
For come it wind or come it rain
Our good ship sails the morn”

Then out there spoke the weatherman
“I fear we’ll all be drownded
For I saw the new moon late yestere’en
With the old moon in her arms”

They had not sailed a league, a league,
A league but barely three
When the lift grew dark and the wind blew loud
And surly grew the sea.

Oh loath, loath were the good Scots lords
To wear their cork-heeled shoen
But long e’er all the ploy was played
They wore their hats aboon

Half over, half over by Aberdeen
Where the sea’s so wide and deep,
It’s there that lies young Patrick Spens
With the Scots lord at his feet.

Jack Beck sings Sir Patrick Spens

The King sits in Dunfermline toon,
Drinkin’ the blood-red wine,
Saying: “Whaur can I find a skeely skipper
Tae sail this ship o’ mine?”

It’s up then spak’ an elderly knicht,
Sat by the King’s richt knee:
“Oh, Sir Patrick Spens is the skeeliest skipper
That sailed upon the sea.”

The King he wrote a braid letter
And sealed wi’ his hand,
And sent it tae Sir Patrick Spens
A-walkin’ on the strand.

“Tae Norowa’, tae Norowa’,
Tae Norowa’ ower the faem.
Oh, the King’s dochter frae Norowa’
It’s ye maun bring her hame”

Noo, the firsten word Sir Patrick read,
A loud loud laugh laughed he.
But the neisten word that Sir Patrick read,
Oh, the sault tears blind his ee.

“Oh, wha has done this deed,” he said,
“This deadly deed tae me?
Tae send me oot at sic a time,
Tae sail upon the sea?”

They hadna been in Norowa’
A week but scarcely three,
When the highest lords in the King’s ain court
Did turn richt roond tae say:

“Oh, these Scotsmen they do drink oor wine
And our gowd spend quite free,
Tae Norowa’ they sail their ship
With ne’er a penny fee.”

“Ye’re liars aloud,” Sir Patrick cried,
“Ye’re liars aloud,” cried he.
“Oh, there’s twenty thousands in silver,” cried he,
“And the dowry I brought with me.

“I’ll sail this nicht, this very nicht,
I’ll sail richt ower the faem.
I’ll mak’ my way tae fair Scotland
And I’ll bring young Margaret hame.”

“Busk, oh busk, my merry men,
Oor ship maun sail at dawn.”
“Oh, say na sae, my captain dear,
I fear a deadly storm.

“For I saw the new moon late yestreen
With the old moon in her airms,
And I fear, I fear, my captain dear,
I fear we’ll come tae harm.”

They sailed awa’ frae Norowa’,
They sailed richt ower the faem.
For they were bound for Dunfermline Town
For to bring young Margaret hame.

Oh lang, lang, may their ladies sit
With their gowd kems in their hand,
Ere they see the great Sir Patrick Spens
Come sailing tae the land.

Half ower, half ower tae Aberdour
And fifty fathoms deep,
Oh there lies the great Sir Patrick Spens
With the Scots lairds at his feet.

Regal Slip sing Patrick Spens

The king sits in Dunfermline town,
Drinking the blood-red wine;
Where will I find a seaman bold
To sail this ship of mine?

And up and spoke an elder knight,
Sat at the king’s right knee:
Sir Patrick Spens is such a knight
To sail upon the sea.

To Norway land across the foam,
To claim the king’s fair bride;
To go with all his Scottish lords
And brave the winter’s tide.

Oh loath, so loath, were nobles all
To wet their cork-heeled shoes;
But they must hasten down to the strand,
The king’s wild will to do.

Oh strong the arm of Patrick Spens,
And sharp his sailor’s eye;
But sharper still the sense in him
To fear a sullen sea.

Last night I saw the new moon rise,
The old moon in her arms;
Tonight I see a blood-red star
And fear a deadly storm.

And some sat in the chimney nook,
And some walked on the strand;
And some took watch the whole day long
For sign of ship to land.

Oh, long may ladies sit and weep,
With gold combs in their hand,
A-waiting for that good Scotch lord
Who’ll never come to land.

For Patrick Spens is long since
Where fish and mermaids dwell;
The Scottish lords and all of their crew
Lie ’neath the ocean swell.

Notes

“Feather beds”: a note from Roy Palmer, Everyman’s Book of British Ballads: “The image of so domestic an object as a feather bed floating in the sea conveys a powerful feeling of desolation. However, the truth is more prosaic; from earliest times sailors used feather beds, partly because they were comfortable, but also because the feathers’ extreme buoyancy made them excellent life rafts.”

The plural “shoen”: Bill Bryson notes in Mother Tongue (1990), p. 55: “In Old English there were at least six endings that denoted plurals, but by Shakespeare’s time these had by and large shrunk to two: -s and -en. But even then the process was nowhere complete. In the Elizabethean Age, people sometimes said shoes and sometimes shoen, sometimes houses and sometimes housen.”

A note from The Penguin Book of Folk Ballads of the English Speaking World: “… The chronicles fail to mention Sir Patrick Spens, though his mission seems to have been the high matter of transporting a Scottish princess to Norway or a Norwegian princess to Scotland. A daughter of Alexander III was married to Eric, King of Norway, in 1281. The courtiers who accompanied the new queen to Norway in August of that year were drowned on the return voyage. … [the ballad also] might refer to Margaret of Norway, shipwrecked off the Scottish coast in 1290…”

The Contemplator’s page for this song gives more details, as well as another set of words.

Acknowledgements

Transcribed by Garry Gillard; many thanks to Wolfgang Hell. Peter Bellamy’s version is based on Roberto’s transcription on Mudcat.