The Lowlands Low- Lewis (MS) 1936 Hudson
[From Folksong From Mississippi by Hudson 1936]
25. THE SWEET TRINITY (THE GOLDEN VANITY)
(Child, No. 286)
One copy, under the title of "The Lowlands Low" was obtained for me by Miss Annie Laurie Roberts from a pupil in the Pearl River Agricultural High School, Poplarville, Miss Celia Lewis, who sings it and says that it has been known by members of her family for a long time. For a discussion of the ballad, see p. 53. For other American texts, see Campbell and Sharp, No.
35; Cox, No. 32; Davis, No. 47; Wyman and Brockway, p. 72. Add Colcord, p. 7.; Barry, No. 52.
1. Out ran a little ship, all out upon the sea.
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
Out ran a little ship all out upon the sea;
She goes by the name of the Merry Golden Tree,
As she sails on the lonesome sea.
2. She ran till she came in the sight of the Golden Willow Tree.
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
She ran till she came in sight of the Golden Willow Tree,
As she sails on the lonesome sea.
3. Out ran a cabin boy, to the captain he did say,
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
"Oh what will you do or give unto me
If I'll sink her in the lonesome sea!"
4. "I'll give you gold and I'll give you praise,"
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
"I'll give you gold and I'll give you praise,
And my oldest daughter shall be your lawful wife,
If you'll sink her in the lonesome sea."
5 He jumped into the sea, and away swam he.
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
He jumped into the sea, and away swam he.
He swam till he came in sight of the Golden Willow Tree,
As she sailed on the lonesome sea.
6 He had a little insterment [sic] just suited for the use.
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
He had a little insterment just suited for the use,
And he bored nine holes in the bottom all at once,
As she sailed the lonesome sea.
7 He turned upon his back and back swam he.
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
He turned upon his back and back swum he.
He swam till he came to the Merry Golden Tree,
As she sailed on the lonesome sea.
8 "Oh captain, O captain, O take me on board."
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
"Oh captain, O captain, O take me on board,
And do unto me as good as your word,
For I've sunk her in the lonesome sea."
9 "I don't want you on board nor won't have you any more."
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
"I don't want you on board nor won't have you any more,
Though you've done unto me as good as your word,
For you've sunk her in the lonesome sea."
10 "If it wasn't for the love that I had for your men,"
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
"If it wasn't for the love that I had for your men,
I would do unto you as I've done unto them:
I would sink you in the lonesome sea."
11 He turned upon his breast and down went he;
(But oh the lowlands lies so low!)
He turned upon his breast and down went he.
"Adieu, adieu to the Golden Willow Tree,
For I've sunk her in the lonesome sea."