5 Seven long years he served the king; 7 The king an angry man was he; He sent young Hind Horn to the sea. 9 He gave to her a silver wan' 11 She gave to him a gay gold ring 13 'When that ring keeps new in hue, Ye may ken that your love loves you. 15 When that ring turns pale and wan, Then I'm in love wi' another man.' 17 He left the land, and went to sea, And there seven long years staid he. 19 One day as he look'd his ring_upon, He saw the diamonds pale and wan. 21 He left the sea, and came to the lan'; An' there he met an auld beggar-man. 23 'What news, what news, my auld beggar-man? 25 'Nae news, nae news', the beggar did say, 27 Cast off, cast off thy auld beggar-weed, 29 The auld beggar-man got on for to ride, 31 When he came to our gude king's gate, 33 He drank out the wine, an' he dropt in the ring, 35 'O gat ye't by sea, or gat ye't by lan'? Or gat ye't off a dead man's han'?' 37 'I gat na't by sea, I gat na't by lan', But I gat it out of your own han'.' 89 'I'll cast off my gowns of red, 41 'I'll cast off my bridal gown, And I'll follow thee frae town to town.' 43 'Ye need na cast off thy gowns of red; For I can maintain thee with both wine and bread. The king sits in Dunfermline town, The first line that Sir Patrick read, Drinking the blue-red wine: 'O where will I get a good sailor, 4 To sail this ship of mine?' Up and spake an elder knight, Sat at the king's right knee: "Sir Patrick Spence is the best sailor, 8 That sails upon the sea.' The king has written a broad letter, And signed it with his hand; And sent it to Sir Patrick Spence, 12 Was walking on the sand. A loud laugh laughed he; The next line that Sir Patrick read, The tear blinded his ee. 'O who is this has done this deed, This ill deed done to me, To sail upon the sea. 'Make haste, make haste, my merry 16 20 24 |