John Barbour lyrics

Song information

Artist: Great Big Sea
Album: Something Beautiful

Lyrics

(Traditional/arr. great big sea)

What ails you, my daughter dear?
Your eyes, they look so dim
Have you had any sore sickness
Or yet been sleeping with a man?

No I haven't had any sore sickness
But I know what's ailing me
I am thinking of my own true love
Who ploughs the raging sea

Is he a lord or a duke or a knight
Or a man of wealth and fame?
Or is he one of our sailor lads
Come tell me now his name

He is no lord nor duke nor knight
Nor a man of wealth or fame
He is one of your sailor lads
John barbour is his name

Now if john barbour is his name
A lowly sailor man is he
If john barbour is his name
Then hanged he shall be

Then he called his sailors all
By one, by two, by three
John barbour was the first he called
But the last came down was he

When he came a dancing down
He was clothed all in white
His cheeks were like the roses red
And his teeth were ivory bright

He paid their wages with a smile
And to john barbour he did say
If I was a woman as I am a man
My bed fellow you would be

And will you marry my daughter jane?
And take her by the hand
And will you come and dine with me
Take charge of all my lands

Yes I will marry your daughter jane
And take her by the hand
And I will come and dine with you
But to hell with all your land

For if you can give her one gold piece
Then I can give her three
For they call me young john barbour
And I plough the raging sea