Lyrics

What ails you, my daughter dear? Your eyes, they are so dim Have you had any sore sickness Or yet been sleeping with a man? I have not had any sore sickness But I know what's ailing me I'm thinking of my own true love He ploughs the raging sea He ploughs the raging sea Be he a lord or a duke or a knight Or a man of wealth or fame? Or is he one of my sailor lads Come tell me now his name He is no lord, no duke nor knight Nor a man of wealth or fame He is one of your sailor lads And John Barbour is his name Now if John Barbour is his name A lowly sailor man is he Yes, If John Barbour is his name Then hanged he will be Then hanged he will be The king he called his sailors all By one, by two, by three John Barbour was the first he called But the last came down was he When he came a trippin' down He was clothed all in white His cheeks were like the roses red And his teeth were ivory bright He paid their wages with a smile And John Barbour he did see He said "If I was a woman as I am a man My bed fellow you would be." And will you marry my daughter Jane? And take her by the hand And will you come and dine with me And take charge of all my lands Yes I will marry your daughter Jane And I'll take her by the hand And I will come and dine with you But to hell with all your land For if you can give her one gold piece Then I can give her three For I am bold John Barbour And I plough the raging sea I plough the raging sea I plough the raging sea