[Verse 1]
Down in Carlisle there lived a lady
Bein' most beautiful and gay
She was determined to live a lady
No man on earth could e'er betray

[Verse 2]
Unless it were a man of honor
A man of honor and high degree
And then approached two lovin' soldiers
This fair lady for to see

[Verse 3]
One bein' a brave lieutenant
A brave lieutenant and a man of war
The other bein' a bold sea captain
Captain of a ship that had come from afar

[Verse 4]
Then up spoke this very young lady
Said, "I can't be but one man's bride
But if you'll come back tomorrow mornin'
On this casе we will decide"

[Verse 5]
Shе ordered her a span of horses
A span of horses at her command
And down the road these three did travel
'Til they come to the lions' den
[Verse 6]
And there she stopped, and there she halted
These two soldiers stood gazin' around
And for the space of half an hour
She lay speechless on the ground

[Verse 7]
And when at last she did recover
Threw her fan down in the lions' den
Sayin' "Which of you to gain a lady
Will return her fan again?"

[Verse 8]
And up spoke the bold lieutenant
And he raised his voice so loud and high
He said, "I am a true lover of women
But I will not give my life for love"

[Verse 9]
Then up spoke bold sea captain
And he raised his voice both loud and high
He said "I am a true lover of women
And I will return her fan or die"

[Verse 10]
In the lions' den he boldly entered
The lions bein' both wild and fierce
He marched around and in among them
Safely returned her fan again
[Verse 11]
And when she saw her lover comin'
Seein' no harm been done to him
She threw herself 'gainst his bosom
Sayin'. "Here's the prize that you have won"