[Verse 1]
The King sit in Dunfermline town
Drinking of the blood-red wine
"Where can I get a steely skipper
To sail this mighty boat of mine?"

[Verse 2]
Then up there spoke a bonny boy
Sitting at the King's right knee
"Sir Patrick Spens is the very best seaman
That ever sailed upon the sea"

[Verse 3]
The King has written a broad letter
And sealed it up with his own right hand
Sending word unto Sir Patrick
To come to him at his command

[Verse 4]
"An enemy then this must be
Who told the lie concerning me
For I was never a very good seaman
Nor ever do intend to be"

[Verse 5]
"Last night I saw the new moon clear
With the old moon in her hair
And that is a sign since we were born
That means there'll be a deadly storm"
[Verse 6]
They had not sailed upon the deep a day
A day but barely three
When loud and boisterous blew the winds
And loud and noisy blew the sea

[Verse 7]
Then up there came a mermaiden
A comb and a glass all in her hand
"Here's to you, my merry young men
For you'll not see dry land again"

[Verse 8]
"Long may my lady stand
With a lantern in her hand
Before she sees my bonny ship
Come sailing homewards to dry land"

[Verse 9]
Forty miles off Aberdeen
The water's fifty fathoms deep
There lies good Sir Patrick Spens
With the Scots lords at his feet