The king sits in dunfermline town
Drinking the blood red wine
\"where can I get a good sea captain“
To sail in this 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“Patrick Spens
That ever sailed the sea.\"
The king has written a broad letter
And sealed it up with his own right hand,

To come at his command
\"an enemy then this must be“
Who told a lie bout me,
For I was never a good seaman
Nor ever do I intend to be.\"

A day, but barely three,
When loud and boisterous grew the winds
And stormy grew the sea.
Then up there came a mermaiden
A comb and glass in 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 sail homeward to dry land.\"
Oh Forty miles off aberdeen……
The water's just fifty fathoms deep

With the scots lords at his feet