Traditional
The Mermaid
As we lay musing on our beds
So well and all at ease
We thought upon our launching beds
For sailors are at sea

Oh, last Easter in the morning fair
We was not far from land
We spided a mermaid sitting on a rock
With a comb and a glass in her hand, in her hand
With a comb and a glass in her hand

And first come the bosun of our ship
With courage stout and bold
Stand fast, stand fast brave lively lads
Stand fast brave hearts of gold

For our gallant ship she's gone to wreck
She was so lately trim
The raging seas have spun her good
And the salt seas all run in, run in
And the salt seas all run in

Up then spoke our cabin boy
Oh a well-spoke boy was he
I'm sorry for my mother dear
I'm lost in the salt, salt sea

For last night, last night the moon shone bright
And you know that she had sons five
Tonight she may look in the salt, salt way
And find but one alive, alive
And find but one alive

For boats, for boats you fair Plymouth girls
Do you hear how the trumpets sound
For the want of a boat, our good ship is lost
And the most of her young men drowned, oh drowned
And the most of her young men drowned