Lyrics
There were three brothers in merry Scotland
Introduction to three brothers in Scotland.
In merry Scotland there were three
Reiteration of the setting in merry Scotland with three brothers.
And they did cast lots which of them should go
They decided by lots which brother would turn to robbery at sea.
Should go, should go
Repetition emphasizing the decision-making process.
And turn robber all on the salt sea
The chosen brother becomes a robber on the salt sea.
The lot it fell first upon Henry Martin
Henry Martin is chosen as the one to turn to robbery.
The youngest of all the three
Highlighting Henry Martin as the youngest of the three brothers.
That he should turn robber all on the salt sea
Reiteration of Henry Martin's decision to become a robber at sea.
The salt sea, the salt sea
Repetition emphasizing the salt sea as the chosen location.
For to maintain his two brothers and he
Henry Martin's motivation is to support his two brothers financially.
They had not been sailing but a long winter's night
They haven't been at sea for long when they spot a ship.
And a part of a short winter's day
Describes the short duration of their time at sea so far.
When he espied a stout lofty ship
Henry Martin sees a large ship approaching.
Lofty ship, lofty ship
Repetition emphasizing the ship's size.
Come a bibbing down on him straight way
The ship approaches rapidly towards them.
Hello, hello, cried Henry Martin
Henry Martin calls out to the approaching ship.
What makes you sail so nigh?
Asks the reason for the ship's proximity.
I'm a rich merchant ship bound for fair London Town
The ship claims to be a rich merchant heading to London.
London Town, London Town
Repetition emphasizing the destination of the ship.
Will you please for to let me pass by?
Henry Martin refuses to let the ship pass, citing his turn to robbery.
Oh no, oh no, cried Henry Martin
Henry Martin rejects the ship's plea to pass.
This thing it never could be
He denies the possibility of letting the ship pass.
For I have turned robber all on the salt sea
Reiteration of Henry Martin's decision to become a robber.
Salt sea, the salt sea.
Repetition emphasizing the salt sea as the chosen location.
For to maintain my two brothers and me
Henry Martin's motivation to support his two brothers is restated.
Then broadside and broadside and at it they went
Both ships engage in a broadside confrontation.
For fully two hours or three
The battle lasts for two or three hours.
til Henry Martin gave to them the deathshot
Henry Martin delivers a fatal shot to the other ship.
The deathshot, the deathshot
Repetition emphasizing the decisive shot.
And straight to the bottom went she
The opposing ship sinks to the bottom.
Bad news, bad news to old England came
News of the incident reaches England, bringing bad news.
Bad news to fair London Town
The bad news specifically reaches London.
There's been a rich vessel and she's cast away
Describes the rich vessel being lost and the crew drowned.
Cast away, cast away
Repetition emphasizing the ship being cast away.
And all of her merry men drowne
All the crew members of the ship meet a tragic end.
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