Mm, the king sits in Dunfermline town
Drinking the blood red wine
"But where will I get a good Scot sailor
To sail this ship of mine?"

Then up and spoke an elder knee
Though I sit at the king's right knee
"Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
Who sails on the salt sea"

And the king has written a brave letter
And he seen it, oh, his hand
And then sent it to Sir Patrick Spens
[? Was walking on the strand]

"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
"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 home wards 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