There was a fair maid and she lived all alone
She lived all alone on the shore, oh
No one could she find, but to calm her sweet mind

But to wander alone on the shore, shore, shore,
To wander alone on the shore, oh


There was a brave captain who sailed a fine ship
And the weather be steady and fair, oh
I shall die, I shall die, this dear captain did cry

If I can't have that maid on the shore, shore, shore
If I can't have that maid on the shore, oh


After many persuasions they brought her on board
He seated her down on his chair, oh
He invited her down to his cabin below

Farewell to all sorrow and care, oh
Farewell to all sorrow and care, oh


I'll sing you a song, this fair maid did cry
This captain was weeping for joy, oh
She sang it so sweetly so soft and completely

She sang captain and sailors to sleep, oh
Captain and sailors to sleep, oh


She robbed them of jewels, she robbed them of wealth
She robbed them of costly fine fair, oh
The captain's broad sword she used as an oar

She rowed away back to the shore, shore, shore
She rowed her way back to the shore


Well, the men they mad and the men, they were sad
They were deeply sunk down in despair, oh
To see her go 'way with her boody so gay

With her rings and her things and her fine fair, oh
Her rings and her things and her fine fair, oh


Well, don't be so sad and sunk down in despair
And you should have known me before, oh
I sang you to sleep and I robbed you of wealth

Well, again I'm a maid on the shore, shore, shore
Again I'm a maid on the shore, oh