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The Demon Lover

Probably dates from the 17th century or earlier.
Words: Mostly from Scots oral tradition.
Tune: from about 1827.
The words of this song, although not the tune, are also related to The House Carpenter.


    Where have you been my long lost love
    This seven long years and more ?
    I'm come to seek my former vows
    You granted me before.

    I might have married a king's daughter
    Far far beyond the sea
    But I've refused the crowns of gold
    All for the love of thee.

    If you might have married the king's daughter
    Yourself you have to blame
    For I am married to a ship's carpenter
    And to him I have a son.

    O what have you to keep me with
    If with you I should go
    If I'd forsake my dear husband
    And my young son also ?

    I have seven ships upon the sea
    The eighth brought me to land
    With four and twenty mariners
    And music on every hand.

    She's taken up her little young son
    And kissed him cheek and chin
    O fare you well my own young son
    For I'll never see you again.

    She set her foot upon the ship
    No mariners could she behold
    But the sails were of the shining silk
    And the masts of beaten gold.

    They had not sailed a mile away
    Never a mile but one
    When she began to weep and mourn
    And to think on her young son.

    O hold your tongue my dearest dear
    Let all your mourning be
    I'll show you where the white lilies grow
    On the banks of Italy.

    They had not sailed a league a league
    A league but barely three
    Till altered grew his countenance
    And gurly grew the sea.

    O hold your tongue my dearest dear
    Let all your mourning be
    I'll show you where the white fishes swim
    On the bottom of the sea.

    He struck the topmast with his hand
    The foremast with his knee
    And he brake that gallant ship in twain
    And sank her in the sea.


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