"Well met, well met, my own true love
Well met, well met", cried he
"I've just returned from the salt, salt sea
All for the love of thee"
"I could have married the King's daughter, dear
She would have married me
But I have forsaken her crowns of gold
All for the love of thee"
"Well, if you could have married the King's daughter, dear
I'm sure you are to blame
For I am married to a house carpenter
And find him a nice young man"
"Oh, will you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me?
I'll take you to where the grass grows green
To the banks of the salt, salt sea"
"Well, if I should forsake my house carpenter
And go along with thee
What have you got to maintain me on
And keep me from poverty?"
"Six ships, six ships all out on the sea
Seven more upon dry land
One hundred and ten all brave sailor men
Will be at your command"
She picked up her own wee babe
Kisses gave him three
Said, "Stay right here with my house carpenter
Keep him good company"
Well, they'd not been gone but about two weeks
I know it was not three
When this fair lady began to weep
She wept most bitterly