I saw him on the strand; he'd been so long at sea. Come from the Isle of man, and none to welcome him but me. Down by the sea, knee-deep in seaweed, I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea. I had a kiss of the King's hand, the King's hand, I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea. I reached below his sleeve to find As ordinary a hand as mine. It had four fingers and a thumb, And a wedding band on one. And the King, he shook me free, And waded out to sea.
And what should come tumbling on the brine? A barrel of the King's own wine. Oh, down by the sea, knee-deep in seaweed, I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea. I had a kiss of the King's hand, the King's hand, I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea. I had a sip of the King's wine, the King's wine, I had a sip of the King's wine, down by the sea. Then I fell asleep in the King's arms, the King's arms, I fell asleep in the King's arms, down by the sea.