There three brothers in merry Scotland In Scotland there were three And did cast lots which of them should go Should go, go And robber all on the salt sea
The lot it fell first upon Henry The youngest of all the That he should turn robber all on the sea sea, the salt sea For to his two brothers and he
They had not been sailing but a long winter's And a of a short winter's day When he espied a lofty ship Lofty ship, lofty Come bibbing down on him way
"Hello, hello", cried Henry What makes you sail so I'm a rich merchant bound for fair London Town Town, London Town Would you for to let me pass by?
"Oh no, oh no", cried Martin This it never could be For I turned robber all on the salt sea Salt sea, the sea. For to my two brothers and me
Come lower your and brail up your mizz'n And bring your ship my lee Or I will give you a full cannon ball, cannon ball And all dear bodies drown in the salt sea
Oh no, we won't our lofty topsail Nor bring our ship your lee And you shan't take us our rich merchant goods Merchant goods, goods Nor point our guns to the sea
Then and broadside and at it they went For two hours or three Till Henry Martin gave to them The deathshot, the And straight to the bottom she
Bad news, bad to old England came Bad to fair London Town There's been a rich vessel and cast away Cast away, away And all of her merry men