A sailor courted a farmer's daughter
Who lived convenient to the Isle of Man
Now mark, good people, what followed after
A long time courting to gain her hand
A long time courting and still discoursing
Concerning things of the ocean wide
'Til at length he said "My dearest dear
If you'll consent, I'll make you my bride.

"Well, as for sailors we don't admire them
Because they sail to so many a port
The more we love them the more they slight us
They leave us maids with a broken heart."
"Well don't be feared, my dearest dear
I don't intend for to serve you so
I mean to take you, my bride to make you
So you, my love, to the sea might go."

This word was carried to his old mother
Before they could set one foot on board
Her son was courting a farmer's daughter
Whose friends and parents could not afford
One penny potion going to the ocean
Like one distracted, his mother run
Saying "If you take her, your bride to make
I will disown you to be my son."

"Oh mother dear, you are in a passion
I'm very sorry, but it's too late
Don't you remember at the first beginning
My father married you, a serving maid?
Now don't despise her, I mean to raise her
Like my own father to you has done
I mean to take her, my bride to make her
You may disown me to be your son."

Now when his love heard these pleasant stories
That she to sea with her love might go
"As for my potion, well never mind it
I might have money that no one knows."
"Money or not, you are my lot
You have gained my affection still
I mean to take you, my bride to make you
And let this whole world say what it will."

"The Constant Lovers" - Kate Rusby and Kathryn Roberts