Several of my friends in high school and college were accomplished folksingers/-musicians. I tried to be one, but my talents were more in appreciation and knowing about the songs, especially the ballads. A few groups used electric instruments and reworked the tunes. Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span from the UK were the titans in this; I have seen both of them. Some Us and Canadian artists did the same but to less recognition.
I would teach this ballad in my college and English 4 high school classes, reading Scots well enough. Western Pennsylvanian English is based on what the Scots pioneers brought with them.
Ballads were the sources for news and then the history of an event. First the text, then a link to Fairport.
Sir Patrick Spens Lyrics
The King sits in Dunfirmline town
Drinking of the blood-red wine
"Where can I get a steely skipper
To sail this mighty boat of mine?"
Then up there spoke a bonny boy
Sitting at the King's right knee
"Sir Patrick Spens is the very best seaman
That ever sailed upon the sea"
The King has written a broad letter
And sealed it up with his own right hand
Sending word unto Sir Patrick
To come to him at his command
"An enemy then this must be
Who told the lie concerning me
For I was never a very good seaman
Nor ever do intend to be"
"Last night I saw the new moon clear
With the old moon in her hair
And that is a sign since we were born
That means there'll be a deadly storm"
They had not sailed upon the deep a day
A day but barely free
When loud and boisterous blew
The winds and loud and noisy blew the sea
Then up there came a mermaiden
A comb and glass all in her hand
"Here's to you my merry young men
For you'll not see dry land again"
"Long may my lady stand
With a lantern in her hand
Before she sees my bonny ship c
Come sailing homeward to dry land"
Forty miles off Aberdeen
The waters fifty fathoms deep
There lies good Sir Patrick Spens
With the Scots lords at his feet
Drinking of the blood-red wine
"Where can I get a steely skipper
To sail this mighty boat of mine?"
Then up there spoke a bonny boy
Sitting at the King's right knee
"Sir Patrick Spens is the very best seaman
That ever sailed upon the sea"
The King has written a broad letter
And sealed it up with his own right hand
Sending word unto Sir Patrick
To come to him at his command
"An enemy then this must be
Who told the lie concerning me
For I was never a very good seaman
Nor ever do intend to be"
With the old moon in her hair
And that is a sign since we were born
That means there'll be a deadly storm"
They had not sailed upon the deep a day
A day but barely free
When loud and boisterous blew
The winds and loud and noisy blew the sea
Then up there came a mermaiden
A comb and glass all in her hand
"Here's to you my merry young men
For you'll not see dry land again"
"Long may my lady stand
With a lantern in her hand
Before she sees my bonny ship c
Come sailing homeward to dry land"
Forty miles off Aberdeen
The waters fifty fathoms deep
There lies good Sir Patrick Spens
With the Scots lords at his feet
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