Traditional, Copland: Old American Songs Set 2 - 3. The Golden Willow Tree

There was a little ship in South America

Crying, "O the land that lies so low!"

There was a little ship in South America

She went by the name of the Golden Willow Tree

As she sailed in the low land, lonesome low

As she sailed in the low land, so low

We hadn't been a-sailing more than two weeks or three

Till we came in sight of the British Roveree

As she sailed in the low land, lonesome low

As she sailed in the low land, so low

Up stepped a little carpenter boy

Says, "What will you give me for the ship that I'll destroy?"

"I'll give you gold or I'll give thee

I'll give you gold or I'll give thee

The fairest of my daughters as she sails upon the sea

If you'll sink 'em in the low land, lonesome low

If you'll sink 'em in the land that lies so low"

He turned upon his back and away swum he

He swum till he came to the British Roveree

He had a little instrument fitted for his use

He bored nine holes and he bored them all at once

He turned upon his breast and back swum he

He swum till he came to the Golden Willow Tree

"Captain, O Captain, come take me on board

O Captain, O Captain, come take me on board

And do unto me as good as your word

For I sank 'em in the low land, lonesome low

I sank 'em in the low land, so low"

"O no, I won't take you on board

O no, I won't take you on board

Nor do unto you as good as my word

Though you sank 'em in the low land, lonesome low

Though you sank 'em in the land that lies so low"

"If it wasn't for the love that I have for your men

I'd do unto you as I'd done unto them

I'd sink you in the low land, lonesome low

I'd sink you in the low land, so low"

He turned upon his head and down swum he

He turned upon his head and down swum he

He swum till he came to the bottom of the sea

Sank himself in the low land, lonesome low

Sank himself in the land that lies so low