As I looked over the castle wall
For to see what I could see
Oh it was there I spied my own father's ship
Come a-sailing along the sea
Come a-sailing along the sea

Oh what's the matter of my daughter Jane
That you do look so wan?
Oh have you had any ill sickness
Or been courting with some young man?
Or been courting with some young man?

Oh no I haven't had any ill sickness
Or been courting with any young man
But I have been sick and sick to my heart
Since you've been so long at sea
Since you've been so long at sea

Oh, was it any noble knight?
Or was it any gentleman?
Or was it by chance some rakish lad
That has just returned from Spain?"
That has just returned from Spain?"

Oh no it wasn't any noble knight
Nor was it any gentleman
But I have been courted by young William
And he's one of your serving men
Yes he's one of your serving men
And will you marry my daughter Jane?
And will you take her by the hand?
And this night you will sup and dine with me
And you'll be heir to all my land
You'll be heir to all my land

Oh yes I'll marry your daughter Jane
And I'll take her by the hand
And this night I'll sup and dine with you
But not for all your lands
But not for all your lands

I have houses and I have have lands
And I've many at my command
And had it not been for your daughter Jane
Then I was never a serving man
I was never a serving man