The Low Low Lands of Holland

1. The very day I was married,
That night I lay on my bed;
A press gang came to my bedside
These words to me they said:
Arise, arise, arise, young man,
And come along with me, with me,
To the low, low lands of Holland,
To face your enemy.

2. But Holland is a cold place,
A place where grows no green,
And Holland is a cold place
For my love to wander in.
Though money had been as plentiful
As leaves upon the tree, the tree
Yet before I’d time to turn myself
My love was stol’n from me.

3. I’ll build my love a gallant ship,
A ship of noted fame.
With four and twenty seamen bold
To box her on the main.
They’ll rant and roar in sparkling glee,
Where some ever they do go, do go,
To the low, low lands of Holland,
To face the daring foe.

4. Says the mother to the daughter;
What makes you to lament?
O there are lords and dukes and squires
Can ease your heart’s content.
But never will I married be
Until the day I die, I die,
since the low, low lands of Holland
Have parted my love and me.

5. There’s not a swaithe goes round my waist
Nor comb goes in my hair,
Neither firelight nor candle light
Can ease my heart’s despair.
And never will I married be
Until the day I die, I die
Since the low, low lands of Holland
Have parted my love and me.