Lyrics

The Golden Willow Tree (traditional, Arranged by The McDades)

There was a little ship in South Amerikee
Crying O the land that lies so low
There was a little ship in South Amerikee
She went by the name of the Golden Willow Tree

We hadn’t been a sailin’ more than two weeks or three
Crying O the land that lies so low
We hadn’t been a sailin’ more than two weeks or three
Til we came in sight of the British Roverie

As she sailed in the lowland lonesome low
As she sailed in the lowland so low

Up stepped the captain, says what a we going to do
Crying O the lonesome land so low
Up stepped the captain, says what a we going to do
If we over take ‘em they’ll cut us in two

And they’ll sink us in the lowland lonesome low
They’ll sink us in the lowland so low

Up stepped a little carpenter boy
Crying O the lonesome land so low
Up stepped a little carpenter boy
What will you give me for the ship that I’ll destroy?

And I’ll sink ‘em in the lowland lonesome low
I’ll sink ‘em in the lowland so low
I’ll give you gold or I’ll give thee
Crying O the lonesome land so low

I’ll give you gold or I’ll give thee
The fairest of my daughters as she sails upon the sea

If you’ll sink ‘em in the lowland lonesome low
If you’ll sink ‘em in the lowland so low

Well he turned upon his back and away swam he
He swam till he came to the British Roverie

He had a little instrument fitted for his use
He bore nine holes and he bore them all at once

He turned upon is breast and back swam he
He swan ‘til he came to the Golden Willow Tree

Captain O captain come take me on board
And do unto me as good as your word

For I sank ‘em in the lowland lonesome low
I sank ‘em in the lowland so low
I sank ‘em in the lowland lonesome low
I sank ‘em in the lowland so low

Oh no, I won’t take you on board
Crying O the lonesome land so low
Oh no I won’t take you on board
Nor do unto you as good as my word

Though you sank ‘em in the lowland lonesome low
You sank ‘em in the lowland so low

If it wasn’t for the love that I had for your men
Crying O the lonesome land so low
If it wasn’t for the love that I had for your men
I’d do unto you as I did unto them

I’d sink you in the lowland lonesome low
I’d sink you in the lowland so low

He turned upon his head and down swam he
Crying O the lonesome land so low
He turned upon his head and down swam he
He swam ‘til he came to the bottom of the sea

He sank in the lowland lonesome low
He sank in the lowland so low
He sank in the lowland lonesome low
He sank in the lowland so low