Oh, I will set my ship in order
I will sail her on the sea
I'll go far over yonder border
To see if my love minds on me.
And he sailed East, and he sailed West
He sailed far, far, seeking land
Until he cam' to his true love's window
And he knocked loud and would be in.
Oh, who is that at my bedroom window
Who knocks so loud and would be in?
'Tis I, 'Tis I, your ain true lover
and I am drenched untae my skin.
So go and go, and ask your faither
See if he'll let you marry me
And if he says no, come back and tell me
And it's the last time I'll trouble thee.
My father's in his chamber writing
Setting down his merchandise
And in his hand he holds a letter
And it speaks much in your dispraise.
My mother's in her chamber sleeping
And words of love she will not hear
So you may go and court another
And whisper softly in her ear.
Then she arose put on her clothing
It was to let her true love in
But e'er she had the door unlockit
His ship was sailing on the main.
Come back, come back, my ain dear Johnnie
Come back, come back, and marry me
How can I come back and marry you, love?
Oor ship is sailing on the sea.
The fish may fly, and the seas run dry
The rocks may melt doon wi' the sun
And the working man may forget his labour
Before that my love returns again.
She's turned herself right roun' about
She's flung herself intae the sea
Farweel for aye, my ain dear Johnnie
Ye'll ne'er hae tae come back to me.
I will sail her on the sea
I'll go far over yonder border
To see if my love minds on me.
And he sailed East, and he sailed West
He sailed far, far, seeking land
Until he cam' to his true love's window
And he knocked loud and would be in.
Oh, who is that at my bedroom window
Who knocks so loud and would be in?
'Tis I, 'Tis I, your ain true lover
and I am drenched untae my skin.
So go and go, and ask your faither
See if he'll let you marry me
And if he says no, come back and tell me
And it's the last time I'll trouble thee.
My father's in his chamber writing
Setting down his merchandise
And in his hand he holds a letter
And it speaks much in your dispraise.
My mother's in her chamber sleeping
And words of love she will not hear
So you may go and court another
And whisper softly in her ear.
Then she arose put on her clothing
It was to let her true love in
But e'er she had the door unlockit
His ship was sailing on the main.
Come back, come back, my ain dear Johnnie
Come back, come back, and marry me
How can I come back and marry you, love?
Oor ship is sailing on the sea.
The fish may fly, and the seas run dry
The rocks may melt doon wi' the sun
And the working man may forget his labour
Before that my love returns again.
She's turned herself right roun' about
She's flung herself intae the sea
Farweel for aye, my ain dear Johnnie
Ye'll ne'er hae tae come back to me.