Well met, well met, my own true love

And very well met,' said he.

I have just returned from the salt, salt sea,

And it's all for the love of thee.

 

Now I could have married a king’s daughter dear,

And I’m sure she’d have married me,

But I refused a crown of gold,

For the love I have for thee.

 

If you could have married a king’s daughter,

You’d better have married she,

For I’ve lately married a house carpenter

And a nice young man is he.

 

If you’ll forsake your house carpenter

And come along with me,

I will take you where the grass grows green

On the banks of Sicily.

 

If I were to leave my house carpenter

And come along with thee,

What have you got to maintain me upon

And to keep me from slavery?

 

I have three ships upon the sea

All making for dry land,

I have three hundred jolly sailor boys,

You can have them at your own command.

 

Then she dressed up in a yellow robe

Most glorious to behold

She walked the streets all around and about

And shined like glittering gold.

 

Then she picked up her tender little babe

And kisses gave it one two three,

Stay at home, my tender little babe'

And keep your father company.

 

She had not been sailing on sea two weeks,

I'm sure it was not three,

When she began to weep and she began to mourn,

She wept most bitterly.

 

Are you weeping for your house?

Are you weeping for your store?

Are you weeping for your house carpenter

Whose face you’ll see no more?

 

No I’m not weeping for my house

And neither for my store

I’m weeping for my tender little babe

Whom I left a-sitting on the floor.

 

She had not sailed on sea three weeks,

I'm sure it was not four

When the ship sprang a leak to the bottom she goes

She goes to rise no more

Take me out oh take me out

Take me out cried she

For I’m too rich and costly

To rot in the salt water sea

 

What banks, what banks before me now

As white as any snow?

Those are the banks of heaven you know

Where all good people go

What banks, what banks before me now

As black as any crow?

Those are the banks of hell my love

Where you and I must go

Take warning from this tragic tale, and never marry someone of modest means!