I courted a damsel of the fairest beauty bright
And I did my best endeavour to gain my heart's delight
I courted her for love and for love of her I did attain I did attain
My love she had no reason at all for to complain
When that her father he came this for to know
That I courted his dear daughter his darling daughter so
So quickly he give orders that I be pressed and sent to sea and sent to sea
To keep me from his daughter my darling's company
When that I'd served my seven long years at sea
So quickly I come homeward my darling dear to see
As soon as I enquired her father thus to me replied to me replied
My daughter she did break her heart and for your sake she died
Don't tell me don't tell me for it's more than I can bear
For if she's in her silent grave I wish that I were there
Then I would be free from bitter sorrow grief and woe from grief and woe
I know not where to wander now which way I may go
It was down in New Bedlam this young man was confined
For in weeping for his own true love did so distract his mind
In rattling of his chains all on his bed of straw he lies on straw he lies
Lamenting for his own true love until the day he dies