Sir William Gower lyrics

I am a sailor, both stout and strong
To a goodly vessel I do belong
Well guard and anchored and well equipped
Sir William Gower and a very fine ship

Our captain in his cabin lay
When a dreadful voice to him did say
`This night with me in the deep you`ll be
So prepare yourself and your company`

The sky grew dark and the sea grew still
Though the men were fearful and the air was chill
Sir William rose to meet his men
Saying `Hear me now for I`ll not speak again`

`I loved my mother when she was alive
And to my sister I gave babies five
I killed my wife and her children three
So I now must face what has come for me`

`You`ll lash a timber close to my side
And throw me out on the water wide
And if I swim then let me be
But if I sink them pray for me`

So we tied his head and we tied his feet
And around his middle a winding sheet
At every knot the sea did stir
Grew ready for the murderer

And then we saw his open grave
The likeness of a single wave
That swept our ship from her stern to her bow
And bore away Sir William Gower