| A. |
Sir Walter Raleigh sailing in the Low-lands:
Shewing how the famous ship called The
Sweet Trinity was taken by a false gaily,
and how it was again restored by the craft
of a little sea-boy, who sunk the galley: as
the following song will declare. To the
tune of The Sailing of the Low-land.
(End.) This may be printed. R.L.S. (Sir R.
L'Estrange was licenser from 1663 to 1685.)
Printed for J. Conyers at the Black- Raven, the
first shop in Fetter-Lane next Holborn. (J.
Conyers, 1682-91. Chappell.) |
| a. |
71. at somt dice. |
| B. a. |
81. Oh. |
| b. |
The variations are but trifling.
7. And awa, and awa, and awa swam he,
Till he swam up to.
82. He just took out a gimlet and bored sixty
holes and thrice.
92. But they couldna run awa from the salt-water drops.
10. Then awa, and awa, and awa swam he,
Till he swam back to.
121. I'll na: rope, I'llna.
122. I'll na: unto thee: my word.
13. An ye na throw me oer a rope an ye na
pull me up aboard,
I'll just sink ye.
142. And they proved unto him as good as
their word. |
| c. |
| 1 |
There was an auncient ship, and an auncient ship was she,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
And the name of the ship was The Golden Vanitie.
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 2 |
She had not sailed a league, no, not a league but three,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
Until that shee spied a French galley.
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 3 |
'It's master, O master, what'll ye gie me,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
If I go and sink yon French galley?'
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 4 |
O then said the master, I will gie till ye
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
The half of my lands in the South Countrie.
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 5 |
'It's I'll gie ye meat, and I'll gie ye fee,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
And my eldest daughter your bride for to be.'
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 6 |
'It's wrap me up tight in a gude bull's-skin,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
And throw me over deck-board, sink I or swim.'
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 7 |
So they wrapt him tight in a gude bull's-skin,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
And they've thrown him over deck-board, sink he or swim.
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 8 |
And about, and about, and about went he,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
Until that he came to the French galley.
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 9 |
It's some were playing at cards, and some were playing at dice,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
But he struck her with an instrument, bored thirty holes at twice.
As she sailed from the Lowlands so low |
| 10 |
Some ran wi hats, and some ran wi caps,
Eee eedle ee, in the Lowlands so low
All for to stop the salt- waters draps.
As they sailed from the Lowlands so low |
31, 41. oh, Oh. |
| d. |
| 1 |
There was an ancient ship, and an ancient ship was she,
Italy and the Lowlands low
And her name it was The Golden Vanity.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low |
| 2 |
She had not sailed a mile, a mile but barely three,
Italy and the Lowlands low
When she hove in sight of a French galley.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low |
| 3 |
Up spak the prentice-boy; What'll ye gie me,
Italy and the Lowlands low
If I gang and sink yon French galley?
As she sails for the Lowlands low |
| 4 |
Up spak the captain; What'll I gie ye,
Italy and the Lowlands low
. . .
As she sails for the Lowlands low |
| 5 |
forgotten. |
| 6 |
'It's row me up in a tough bull's-skin,
Italy and the Lowlands low
And throw me overboard, let me sink or swim.'
As we sail for the Lowlands low |
| 7 |
They've rowed him up tight in a tough bull's-skin,
Italy and the Lowlands low
And they 've thrown him overboard, let him sink or swim.
As they sailed for the Lowlands low |
| 8 |
Then about, and about, and about went he,
Italy and the Lowlands low
Until that he reached that French galley.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low |
| 9 |
And three-score holes he scuttled in a trice.
Italy and the Lowlands low
As she sailed for the Lowlands low
|
| 10 |
'Now throw me owre a rope and pull me up on board,
Italy and the Lowlands low
And prove unto me as gude as yere word.'
As we sail for the Lowlands low |
| 11 |
'I'll not throw ye owre a rope, nor pull ye up on board,
Italy and the Lowlands low
Nor prove unto ye as guid as my word.'
As we sail for the Lowlands low |
| 12 |
'Throw me owre a rope and pull me up on board,
Italy and the Lowlands low
Or I'll do to ye as I did the French galley.'
As she sailed for the Lowlands low |
| 13 |
Then they threw him owre a rope and pulled him up on board,
Italy and the Lowlands low
And proved unto him far better than then- word.
As they sailed for the Lowlands low |
|
| e. |
| 1 |
O she was an English ship, an an English ship was she,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
And her name it was The Golden Victorie.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low. |
| 2 |
. . .
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
And she fell in wi a French galee.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low. |
| 3 |
'O what'll ye gie me, captain, what'll ye gie me,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
If I go an sink yon French galee?'
As she sails for the Lowlands low. |
| 4 |
'O I'll gie thee goud, an I'll gie thee fee,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
An my eldest daughter your wife shall be.'
As we sail for the Lowlands low. |
| 5 |
Then wrap me up tight in tough bull-hide,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
An to sink or swim ye'll pitch me ower the side.'
As we sail for the Lowlands low. |
| 6 |
They wrapt him up tight in tough bull-hide,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
An to sink or swim they pitchd him ower the side,
As they sailed for the Lowlands low. |
| 7 |
He swam, an he swam, an he better swam,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
Until he to the French galley cam.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low. |
| 8 |
O some were playin cards, an some were playin dice,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
But he struck her wi an auger thirty three and thrice.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low. |
| 9 |
Aboot, an aboot, an aboot went she,
Hey diddie dee for the Lowlands low
Until she cam to the bottom of the sea.
As she sailed for the Lowlands low. |
|
| f. |
Sir Walter Scott's recollections here seem not trustworthy,
and of this he was himself aware.
| 1 |
The George-a-Low eame down the strait,
Hey low and the Lowlands so low
And she will be lost, both vessel and freight,
For the chasing of a French galerie O |
| 5 |
'Row me in a good bull-skin,
And fling me overboard, for to sink or to swim,'
For the sinking of yon French galerie O |
| 6 |
They row him, etc. |
| 8 |
Some were playing at cards and dice,
When the sea came gushing in a trice.
For the sinking, etc. |
|
| C. b. |
| 1 |
Our ship she was called The Golden Vanitie;
We had sailed from our port about miles fifty-three,
When up came with us a Spanish gallee,
To sink us in the Lowlands low. |
| 2 |
Our master wrung his hands, but our little cabin-boy
Said, What will you give me, master, if I do them destroy?
'Oh I will give you gold, and my daughter too, with joy,
If you sink them in the Lowlands low.' |
| 3 |
The boy gave a nod, and then jumped into the sea,
And he swam till he came to the Spanish gallee;
He climbed up aboard, and below to work went he,
To sink them in the Lowlands low. |
| 4 |
For this boy he had an auger that bored twenty holes in twice,
And while some were playing cards, and some were playing dice,
Through the bottom of the ship he bored it in a trice,
And he sunk them in the Lowlands low. |
| 5 |
The galley she went down, but the boy swam back again,
Crying, Master, pick me up, or I shall soon be slain;
Pray heave to me a rope, or I shall sink in the main;
For I 've sunk them in the Lowlands low. |
| 6 |
'I will not pick you up,' the master loudly cried,
'I will not heave a rope,' the master he replied;
'I will kill you, I will sink you, I will leave you in the tide,
I will sink you in the Lowlands low.' |
| 7 |
The boy he swam around the ship from side to side,
But he could not get aboard, so he sank, and he died,
And they left him where he was, to go down with the tide;
So they sunk him in the Lowlands low. |
|
| c. |
| 1 |
There was a good ship from the North Countrie,
Sailing low in the Lowlands low
There was, etc.
And that ship's name was The Golden Vanity.
Sailing low in the Lowlands, low in the sea,
Sailing low in the Lowlands low |
| |
The master said, I fear for my good ship Vanity,
Oh, I fear for my good ship, The Golden Vanity,
That she will be taken by the pirate Targalley,
As she sails in, etc. |
22. 'Oh, master, good master, what will you give me
If I sink yon Targalley low in the sea?'
10 stanzas. |
| d. |
| 1 |
A ship I have got in the North Country,
And she goes by the name of The Golden Vanity;
O I fear she'll be taken by a Spanish Galalie,
As she sails by the Lowlands low. |
8 stanzas. |
| e. |
Buchan; Manuscripts, II, 390.
| 1 |
Our ship sailed to the North Country,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
Our ship sailed on to the North Countrie,
And the name o her was The Gold Pinnatree,
She was as fine a vessel as ever sailed the sea,
And she sails by the Lowlands lo[w] |
| 2 |
We hadna sailed leagues but only three,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
We hadna sailed leagues but only three,
Till the captain from the maindeck fixed an ee;
He spied a lofty frigate was sailing closely tee,
And her name was The French Gallic. |
| 3 |
Then out it speaks the pilot, by the mainyard did stand,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
Then out it speaks the pilot, by the mainyard did stand,
Says, O my pretty boys, we are all undone;
We must prepare to fight or be sunk to the sand,
For yonder comes the French gallio. |
| 4 |
Then spoke the little cabin-boy, [where stood he,]
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
Then spoke the little cabin-boy, [where stood he,]
Said, O my loving master, what will ye gie me
And I will sink this proud Gallio in the sea,
And I will sink the French gallio? |
| 5 |
'I will gie you gold, boy, and I will gie you fee,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
'I will gie you gold, boy, and I will gie you fee,
Besides a rarer gift that I will give thee;
Ye'se have my eldest daughter your wedded wife to be,
If ye will sink the French gallio.' |
| 6 |
The boy bent his breast, and away swam he,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
The boy bent his breast, and away swam he,
And took a bold venture thro the stormy sea,
And cam close by his enemy, as sly as he could be,
It was to sink the French gallio. |
| 7 |
Some there were at cards, and some there were at dice,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
Some there were at cards, and some there were at dice,
But the little cabin-boy was at the best device,
He was sinking the French gallio in the sea,
He was sinking the French gallio. |
| 8 |
This boy had a case o fine instruments,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
This boy had a case o fine instruments,
He ca'd fifty holes, and drove them a' at once,
And he soon sank the French gallio in the sea,
And he soon sank the French gallio. |
| 9 |
Then the boy bent his breast, and back swam he,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
Then the boy bent his breast, and back swam he,
Till that he cam to The Gold Pinnatree;
Says, Now, my loving master, what will ye gie me?
For I have sunk the French gallio. |
| 10 |
'Now give to me my gold, master, [give to me my fee,]
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
'Now give to me my gold, master, [give to me my fee,]
Or give to me the other rare gifts ye promised me;
It was your eldest daughter, my wedded wife to be;
For the sinking o the French gallio.' |
| 11 |
'Ye shall have no gold, boy, ye shall have no fee;
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
'Ye shall have no gold, boy, ye shall have no fee;
I wadna ware my daughter on ony such as thee;
For as you've done to her, boy, so wad you do to me,
By the sinking o the French [gallio].' |
| 12 |
Then they put out their long-boat and catched him by the side,
Sing, How the Lowlands lo[w]
Then they put out their long-boat and catched him by the side,
And rowed him into ane auld cow's-hide,
And tossed him overboard, to float on the tide,
For sinking the French gallio. |
Gallio may be surmised to be properly galley O.
The other copy in Buchan's Manuscripts, II, 414, is only
the foregoing a little retouched or regulated. It
has throughout Gallolee for Gallio. The first line
of the burden is, Sing, Low, the Lowlands low.
41. where stood he.
63. could dee.
101. give to me my fee. |
| f. |
| 1 |
I spied a ship, and a ship was she,
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
And she was called the Turkish Galley,
She was sailing in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
She was sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 2 |
'Master, master, what wud ye gie me
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
Gin I wud sink yon Turkish galley?
She's sailing in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
She's sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 3 |
'I'll gie you gold, I'll gie you fee,
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
Gin ye wud sink yon Turkish galley,
That is sailing in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
That is sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 4 |
He bent his breast, and awa swam he,
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
Till he cam to yon Turkish galley,
That's sailing in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
That's sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 5 |
He had an instrument, made for the use,
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
He bored nine holes in her water-sluice,
Left her sinking in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
Left her sinking in the Lowlands low. |
| 6 |
Some took their hats, and some took their caps,
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
All for to stop her watery leaks.
She was sailing in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
She was sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 7 |
They took him up by their ship-side,
Sing, Oh, the low and the Lowlands low
They sewed him in an auld cow's-hide,
Left him sinking in the Lowlands, low, low, low,
Left him sinking in the Lowlands low. |
Motherwell sent this copy to C.K. Sharpe in a letter
dated October 8, 1825, in which he says: I also
send rather a curious song, which perchance
you may have seen, entitled 'The Turkish Galley,'
the air of which pleased me much. But as
I learn there are two other different sets of the
words more complete than my copy, and with
different airs, I shall defer sending the musick
till I can send also that which belongs to the
other copies. |
| g. |
| 1 |
There was a ship of the North Countrie,
And the name of the ship was The Golden Trinitie.
She was sailing in the Lowlands low, low, low,
She was sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 2 |
. . .
And the name of the ship was The Turkish Gallee,
And she was sailing in the Lowlands low, low, low,
She was sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 3 |
'O captain, O captain,' said the young cabin-boy,
'What will you give me if yon ship I do destroy?
And sink her in the Lowlands low, low, low,
And sink her in the Lowlands low. |
| 4 |
'I'll give you gold, and I'll give you fee,
And my eldest daughter your wedded wife shall be,
If you sink her in the Lowlands low, low, low,
If you sink her in the Lowlands low. |
| 5 |
The boy bent his bow, and away swam he,
Until that he came to the Turkish gallee.
She was sailing in the Lowlands low, low, low,
She was sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 6 |
The boy had an auger, right fitted for the use,
And into her bottom he bored a watery sluice.
She is sinking in the Lowlands low, low, low,
She is sinking in the Lowlands low. |
| 7 |
The boy bent his bow, and back swam he,
Until that he came to the Golden Trinitie.
She is sailing in the Lowlands low, low, low,
She is sailing in the Lowlands low. |
| 8 |
'O captain, O captain, take me on board,
And O be as good, as good as your word,
For I've sunk her in the Lowlands low, low, low,
I've sunk her in the Lowlands low. |
| 9 |
They threw him a rope oer the larboard side,
And sewed him up in an auld cow's-hide,
And threw him out to a fair wind and tide,
And sunk him in the Lowlands low. |
|
