[Verse 1]
There lived a wife at Usher's Well
And a wealthy wife was she
She had three strong and stalwart sons
And she sent them o'er the sea

[Verse 2]
They hadn't been gone but a week from her
But a week and only one
When word was sent to this wealthy wife
That her sons were dead and gone

[Verse 3]
They hadn't been gone three weeks from her
Three weeks and only three
When word was sent to this wealthy wife
That her sons she'd never see

[Verse 4]
She prayed the wind would never cease
Nor troubles in the floods
Till her three sons came home to her
In their own flesh and blood

[Verse 5]
It fell about the Martinmas time
When nights are long and dark
This wife's three sons came home to her
With robes all shining bright
[Verse 6]
Blow up the fire, my maidens fair
Bring waters from the well
For we shall have a merry, merry feast
Since my three sons are well

[Verse 7]
Oh, it's she has made for them a bed
She made it large and wide
And placed her mantle over them all
And sat down at their side

[Verse 8]
The cock he chaffed his wings and crowed
Before the break of day
The eldest to the youngest said
It's time we were away

[Verse 9]
The cock doth crow, the day doth dawn
The merry birds doth chide
We shall be missed out of our place
And we must no longer bide

[Verse 10]
Lie still, lie still, but a little while
Lie still but if we may
If our mother misses us when she wakes up
She'll go mad o'er the break of day
[Verse 11]
So fare ye well my mother dear
For we must say goodbye
And fare ye well the bonny lass
That kindles my mother's fires