There were three brothers in merry Scotland
In merry Scotland there were three
And they did cast lots which of them should go, should go, should go
And turn robber all on the salt sea
The lot it fell first upon Henry Martin
The youngest of all of the three
That he should turn robber all on the salt sea, the salt sea, the salt sea
For to maintain his two brothers and he
They had not been sailing for a long winter's night
And part of a short winter's day
When they did espy a stout lofty ship, lofty ship, lofty ship
Coming and bearing down on them straightway
Hello, hello, cried Henry Martin
What makes you sail so nigh?
I'm a rich merchant ship bound for fair London Town, London Town, London Town
Would you please for to let us pass by
Oh no, oh no, cried Henry Martin
This thing it never can be.
For I have turned robber all on the salt sea, the salt sea, the salt sea
For to maintain my two brothers and me
So lower your topsail and fire up your men
Bring your ship under my lee
For I have resolved for to pirate you here, you here, you here
For to maintain my two brothers and me
So broadside for broadside, and at it they went
For fully two hours or three
'Til Henry Martin gave them the death shot, the death shot, the death shot
And straight to the bottom went she
Sad news, sad news, to fair London came
Sad news to fair London Town
There's been a rich vessel and she's cast away, cast away, cast away
And all of her merry men drowned
