Digital Tradition Mirror

The Maid on the Shore

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Maid on the Shore

There was a young maiden, who lived all alone
Her beauty it did shine so clear-o
And all she could find for to ease her sad mind
Was to wander alone on the shore the shore
Was to wander alone on the shore (2x)

And there was a young captain, who plowed the salt seas
Let the wind blow high, blow low-o
This beautiful maiden he chanced for to spy
"Don't I wish that I had her on board on board
Don't I wish that I had her on board." (2x)

The steward he ran and he lowered the boat
And quickly he rode it to shore o
And these were the very first words he did say:
"Fair maid, won't you venture on board on board? (2x)

By coaxing, persuading, she entered the boat
And quickly he rowed her on board o
Our captain, he smiled and spat out his chew
Saying "Fair you well sorrow and care and care." (2x)

The captain he poured out the richery wine
That sparked so bright and so clear-o
Saying "First you will lie in my arms all this night,
And then I'll hand you to my crew my crew" (2x)

"Oh thank you, oh thank you," this maiden replied
"That's just what I've been waiting for-o.
For I've grown so weary of my maidenhead
As I wandered alone on the shore ."

She sat herself down in the stern of the ship
Her voice was so fair and so clear-o
She sang them so sweet, so neat and complete
She sang captain and sailors to sleep."

She robbed them of silver, she robbed them of gold
She robbed them of costly wares-o
Our captain's broad sword, she used for an oar
To row herself back to the shore. (2x)

"Oh were me men crazy, or were they all drunk?
Oh were they sunk deep in despair-o?
To see her get away with her beauty so gay
Don't I wish that I had her once more."

And yonder she stands all alone on the strand
A-waving her handkerchief, fair o
Saying: "You are the captain that sails the salt seas
And I'm still a maid on the shore the shore,
And I am the maid on the shore."

Child #43
Laws K27
Recorded by John Roberts and Tony Barrand on Dark Ships in the
Forest, FSI-65.  also by Frankie Armstrong on Lovely
DC

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!