There once wuz a ship from the North a-countree, An’ the name of that ship wuz the Golden Vanity. An’ they feared she might be taken by the Spanish enemy As she sailed upon the Lowlands, low. In the Lowlands, Lowlands, as she sailed upon the Lowlands, low!
Then up came the cabin-boy, an’ boldly out spoke he, An’ he said to the capt’n, What will ye give to me? If I will swim alongside of the Spanish enemy, And sink her in the Lowlands, low.
Oh, gold, mi friend, an’ silver that will I give to ye, An’ my own fairest daughter yer bonny bride shall be, If you will swim alongside of the Spanish enemy, An’ sink her in the Lowlands, low.
Then the boy made all ready, an’ overboard sprang he, An’ he swam alongside of the Spanish enemy, An’ with his auger sharp in her side he bored holes three, An’ he sank her in the Lowlands, low.
He bored with his auger, he borid once an’ twice, An’ some were playin’ cards an’ some were playin’ dice. An’ the water flowed in an’ dazzelid their eyes. An’ he sank ‘em in the Lowlands, low.
Then quickly he turned round, an’ back again swam he, An’ he cried to the capt’n of the Golden Vanity, But the capt’n didn’t heed, for his promise he would need, An’ he left him in the Lowlands, low.
Then round about he turned, an’ he swam to the port side, An’ he looked to his shipmates, an’ bitterly he cried, Oh, messmates , draw me up, fer I’m driftin’ with the tide, An’ I’m sinkin’ in the Lowlands, low.
Then his messmates took him up, but on the deck he died, An’ they sewed in his hammock that wuz so fair an’ wide. An’ they low’r’d him overboard, an’ he drifted with the tide. An’ he sank into the Lowlands, low.
