The Bold Fisherman (2)

As I walked out one May morning
Down by the riverside;
'Twas there I saw a bold fisherman
Come rowing o'er the tide.
Come rowing o'er the tide,
'Twas there I saw a bold fisherman
Come rowing o'er the tide.

"Good morning, brother fisherman,
What brings you down this way?"
"I come to court some lady gay
From o'er the rolling sea." etc.

He tied his boat unto the strand
And straightway to her went,
He took her by the lily-white hand,
Which was his full intent. etc.

Then he pulled off his morning gown
And throwed it on the ground;
When then she saw three chains of gold
Around his neck hung down. etc.

She fell upon her bended knee,
"O pardon, sir, I crave
For calling you a bold fisherman
From o'er the rowing wave." etc.

"Now nothing have you done amiss
That has offended me;
But come unto your father's house
And married we will be." etc.

DT #483
Laws O24

from Ballads Migrant in New England, Flanders
Collected from Charles Fenimore, ME, 1942
tune "FISHBLD2" from English Folk Songs, Sharp
play.exe FISHBLD2
RG