Read "Henry Martyn" by Sabine Baring-Gould online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
C. J. S. [Music]
1. In merry Scotland, in merry Scotland, / There lived brothers three, / They all did cast lots which of them should go, / A robbing upon the salt sea.
2. The lot it fell upon Henry Martyn, / The youngest of the three, / That he should go rob on the salt, salt sea, / To maintain his brothers and he.
3. He had not a sailed a long winter's night, / Nor yet a short winter's day, / Before he espied the King's gallant ship, / Come sailing along that way.
4. How far, how far, cried Henry Martyn, / How far are you going? said he / For I am a robber upon the salt seas, / To maintain my brothers and me.
5. Stand off, stand off! the Captain he cried, / The lifeguards they are aboard. / My cannons are loaden with powder and shot; / And every man hath a sword.
6. For three long hours they merrily fought, / For hours they fought full three. / And many a blow it dealt many a wound, / As they fought on the salt, salt sea.
7. Twas broadside against a broadside then, / And at it, the which should win, / A shot in the gallant ship bored a hole, / And then did the water rush in.
8. Bad news! bad news, for old England / Bad news has come to the town, / The king his vessel is wrecked and lost, / An all his brave soldiers drown.
9. Bad news! bad news through the London street! / Bad news has come to the King, / The lives of his guard they be all a lost, / O the tidings be sad that I bring.
10. O had I a twisted rope of hemp, / A bowstring strong though thin; / I'd soon hang him up to his middle yard arm, / And have done with Henry Martyn.