Sir Andrew Barton

There were three brothers in merry Scotland,
Three loving brothers were they,
And for to cast lots they did agree
To go robbing all 'round the salt sea;
And for to cast lots they did agree
To go robbing all 'round the salt sea.

The lot it fell on Andrew Bordeen,
The youngest of the three,
And for to maintain the other two,
He went robbing all 'round the salt sea;
And for to maintain the other two,
He went robbing all 'round the salt sea.

They had not sailed three long winter nights
Before a ship they espied,
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by;
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by.

"Who's there? Who's there" cries Andrew Bordeen.
"Who's there that sails so nigh"
"'Tis we, the rich merchants of merry England;
If there's no offense, let us pass by."
'Tis we, the rich merchants of merry England;
If there's no offense, let us pass by."

"Oh, no, oh, no," cries Andrew Bordeen.
"Oh, no, that ne'er shall be.
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll drown in the sea;
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll drown in the sea."

The news it came to King Henery,
The king that wore the crown.
The ship it was taken, the cargo boys,
The merrymen they were all drowned.
The ship it was taken, the cargo boys,
The merrymen they were all drowned.

"Go build a ship," says King Henery,
"And build it strong and sure,
And if Andrew Bordeen ye do not bring in,
My life shall no longer endure.
And if Andrew Bordeen ye do not bring in,
My life shall no longer endure."

The ship was built without delay,
As I do understand,
And Captain Charles Stuart was placed therein,
For to give the bold command;
And Captain Charles Stuart was placed therein,
For to give the bold command.

They had not sailed three long winter nights
Before a ship they espied,
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by;
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by.

"Who's there Who's there?" cries Captain Charles Stuart.
"Who's there that sails so nigh?"
" 'Tis we, the bold robbers of merry Scotland;
If there's no offense, let us pass by.
'Tis we, the bold robbers of merry Scotland;
If there's no offense, let us pass by."

"Oh, no, oh, no," cries Captain Charles Stuart.
"Oh, no, that ne'er shall be.
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll carry with me.
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll carry with me."

"Come on! Come on!" cries Andrew Bordeen.
"I care for ye not one pin.
For though ye are lined with cork without,
We are cork and steel within;
For though ye are lined with cork without,
We are cork and steel within."

"Broadsides! Broadsides!" they cried aloud.
The cannon loud did roar.
And Captain Charles Stuart took Andrew Bordeen;
He carried him to far England's shore.
And Captain Charles Stuart took Andrew Bordeen;
He carried him to far England's shore.

"Good news! Good news!" cries King Henery.
"Good news ye bring to me.
'Tis Andrew Bordeen shall be hanged this day,
And all of his company.
'Tis Andrew Bordeen shall be hanged this day,
And all of his company."

Child #250
From Flanders, Ancient Ballads Traditionally Sung in New England, Volume 4
Collected from Mrs. Silence Buck Bellows, from her grandfather's singing
SOF
apr97