Where have you been, where have you been 
My son, my merry son? 
On the seashore, on the seashore 
Mother, my darling one. 
And what have you been doing there 
My son, my merry son? 
I have been watering my horse 
Mother, my darling one. 
Why is there blood upon your feet 
My son, my merry son ? 
My horse stamped with its iron shoe 
Mother, my darling one. 
Why there is blood upon your sword 
My son, my merry son? 
I have stabbed my brother dead 
Mother, my darling one. 
What now of you,where will you go 
My son, my wretched son? 
To other lands to foreign lands 
My dame, my darling one. 
When will you be returning home 
My son, my wretched son? 
When all the world to [bad word] 
My dame, my darling one.