And there once was a captain who was boasting on the quay:
"Oh I have a ship and a gallant ship is she.
Of all the ships I know she is the best for me
And she's sailing in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
"Well I had her built in the North Country
And I had her christened the Golden Vanitee.
I armed her and I manned her and I sent her off to sea
And she's sailing in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
Oh well then up stepped a sailor who has just returned from sea:
"Oh I was aboard of the Golden Vanitee
When we was held in chase by a Spanish piratee
And we sank 'em in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
Oh well, we had aboard us a little cabin boy
Who said, "What will you give me if the galley I destroy?"
"I'll give to you my daughter, she is my pride and joy,
If you sink them in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
So the boy bared his breast and he plunged into the tide.
He swam until he came to the rascal pirate's side;
He climbed on board, he went below, by none was he espied,
And he sank 'em in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
Oh well he bore her with his auger, he bore her once or twice,
And some was playing cards and some was playing dice.
But when he let the water in, it dazzled at their eyes
And he sank 'em in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
Oh yes, some was playing cards and some was playing dice,
And some was in their hammocks a-sportin' with their wives.
But when he let the water in, it pulled out all their lives,
And he sank them in the lowlands low.
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
So then the cabin boy he swam unto the larboard side
Saying, "Captain, take me up for I am drowning in the tide."
"I'll shoot you and I'll k** you if you claim my child as bride,
And I'll sink you in the lowlands low."
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
So then the cabin boy he swam unto the starboard side
Saying, "Messmates, take me up for I am drifting with the tide."
They took him up so quickly but when on deck, he died,
And they buried him in the lowlands low.
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
Oh yes, they took him up so quickly but when on deck, he died,
And they sewed him in his hammock that was so strong and wide.
They said a short prayer over him and dropped him in the tide
And they sailed from the lowlands low.
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low
Well here's a curse onto the Captain wherever he may be
For taking that poor cabin boy so far away to sea;
For taking that poor cabin boy so far away to sea
And to leave him in the lowlands low.
In the lowlands, lowlands,
She's sailing in the lowlands low