Intro
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[Verse 1]
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There were three brothers in merry Scotland
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In merry Scotland there were three
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And they did cast lots which of them should go, should go, should go
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And turn robber all on the salt sea
[Instrumental]
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[Verse 2]
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The lot, it fell first upon Henry Martin
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The youngest of all the three
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That he should turn robber all on the salt sea, the salt sea, the salt sea
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For to maintain his two brothers and he
[Verse 3]
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They had not been sailing but a long winter's night
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And a part of a short winter's day
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When he espied a stout lofty ship, lofty ship, lofty ship
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Come a-bibbing down on him straight way
[Verse 4]
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"Hello, hello", cried Henry Martin
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"What makes you sail so nigh?"
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"I'm a rich merchant ship bound for fair London Town London Town, London Town"
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Will you please for to let me pass by?
[Verse 5]
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"Oh no, oh no", cried Henry Martin
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"This thing, it never could be
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For I have turned robber all on the salt sea, the salt sea, the salt sea
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For to maintain my two brothers and me
[Verse 6]
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Then broadside and broadside and at it they went
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For fully two hours or three
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'Til Henry Martin gave to them the death shot, the death shot, the death shot
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And straight to the bottom went she
[Instrumental]
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[Verse 7]
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Bad news, bad news to old England came
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Bad news to fair London Town
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There's been a rich vessel and she's cast away, cast away, cast away
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And all of her merry men drowned