Ten recordings of the Golden Vanity (F.J. Child #286):

1. The Golden Vanity
Jez Lowe, A Selection from The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, Fellside FECD47, registrazioni 1985, 1993 & 1994.

It's I've got a ship in the north country,
Down in the Lowlands low
An' I fear she may be took by the Spanish enemy,
As she sails on the Lowland sea,
As she sails in the Lowlands low.

And up then stepped a little cabin boy,
Down in the Lowlands low
Saying, What will you give me if I do them destroy,
And sink them in the Lowland sea,
And sink them in the Lowlands low?

Oh, I'll give you silver and likewise gold,
Down in the Lowlands low
And my only daughter for to be your bride,
If you'll sink them in the Lowland sea,
If you'll sink them in the Lowlands low.

Oh wrap me up in me black bear skin,
Down in the Lowlands low
And heave me overboard for to sink or to swim,
An' I'll sink them in the Lowland sea,
I'll sink them in the Lowlands low.

Now some was playing cards and the others playing dice,
Down in the Lowlands low
And the boy had an auger, bored two holes at once,
And he sunk them in the Lowland sea,
And he sunk them in the Lowlands low.

He leaned upon his breast and he swum back again,
Down in the Lowlands low
Saying, Master, take me up, for I'm sure I will be slain,
An' I've sunk her in the Lowland sea,
An' I've sunk her in the Lowlands low.

Oh, I'll not take you up,' the master he cried,
Down in the Lowlands low
'But I'll shoot you and I'll kill you and send you with the tide,
An' I'll drown you in the Lowland sea,
An' I'll drown you in the Lowlands low.

He leaned upon his breast and swum round the larboard side,
Down in the Lowlands low
O messmates, take me up for I fear I will be slain,
An' I've sunk her in the Lowland sea,
An' I've sunk her in the Lowlands low.

His messmates took him up, and on the deck he died,
Down in the Lowlands low
And they wrapped him up in an old cow's hide,
And they sunk him in the Lowland sea,
And sunk him in the Lowlands low.



2. The Golden Victory
Dodie Chalmers, on Classic Ballads of Britain and Ireland, Storytelling Ballads as included in Francis James Child's English & Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 2, Rounder 11661-1776-2 (ballad recorded 1952)

There was a gallant ship
On yon western counterie
And the name of that ship
Was The Golden Victory
As she sailed upon the lowlands low

Out spoke the master
It's out spoke he:
Is there anyone on board
That will sink that ship for me
And plunge her in the lowlands low?

Out spoke the cabin boy
Out spoke he:
O master, dear master
What will you give to me
If I sink her in the lowlands low?

It's I will give thee silver
And I will give thee gold
Likewise my oldest daughter
So beautiful and bold
If you sink her in the lowlands low

The boy bent his back
And away he did swim
With a dagger in his hand
For to let the waters in
And sink her in the lowlands low

Some were playing dominoes
And some were playing cards
And the water rushing in
Gave them all a great surprise
For she's sinking in the lowlands low

Back swam the cabin boy
Back swum he -
O master, dear master
O please now take me in
She's sinking in the lowlands low

The master took him in
And packed him off to bed,
In less than half an hour
This poor cabin boy lay dead
And he sank her in the lowlands low



3. The Golden Vanity
Bill Cameron, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, on The Child Ballads No.2, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads Numbers 110-299, The Folk Songs of Britain Volume 5, Topic 12T 161

I had a little ship on the North Counteree
She went by the name of the Golden Vanity
But I was afraid she'd be taken by the Turkish enemy
As we sank her in the lowlands, the lowlands
And we sank her in the lowlands low

Then up comes a little cabin boy:
What would you give me the ships to destroy?
First I'd give you silver and then I'd give you gold
And you shall have me daughter when I get to the shore
So we sank her in the lowlands, the lowlands
We sank her in the lowlands low



4. The Golden Vanity
Johnny Doughty, on Hidden English, Topic TSCD600, ballad recorded in 1976

A fair ship is mine, called the Golden Vanity
And she sails just now by the North Country
But I fear that she'll be taken by a Spanish gallalee
As we sail by the lowlands low

By the lowlands low
As we sail by the lowlands low

What will you give to me – asked the little cabin boy
If I venture to that Spanish ship, the ship that doth annoy?
I will wreck the gallalee, you may peace of mind enjoy
As we sail by the lowlands low

By the lowlands low
As we sail by the lowlands low

The captain said – Now with you my lad I'll share
All my treasure and my wealth, you shall have my daughter fair
If this Spanish ship you nobly sink and ease me of my care
As we sail by the lowlands low

By the lowlands low
As we sail by the lowlands low

Then boldly the lad, did he leap into the sea
And an auger very sharp and thin he carried carefully
And he swam the mighty billows till he reached the gallalee
Where she sank by the lowlands low

By the lowlands low
Where she sank by the lowlands low

Then back to the ship the little hero hied
And he begged the crew to haul him up upon the larboard side
You can sink for me, you little dog - the ungrateful captain cried
As we sail by the lowlands low

Was there ever half a tale so sad as this tale of the sea
Where we sailed by the lowlands?

By the lowlands low
Where we sailed by the lowlands low?



5. The Golden Vanitee
Tony Rose, Young Hunting, Trailer LER 2013, 1970

There once was a captain who was boasting on the quay:
Oh I have a ship and a gallant ship is she
Of all the ships I know she is the best for me
And she's sailing in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
She's sailing in the lowlands low

Oh, well, I have her built in the North Counterie
And I have her christened The Golden Vanitee
I armed her and I manned her and I sent her off to sea
And she's sailing in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
She's sailing in the lowlands low

Oh well, then up stepped a sailor who had just returned from sea
Oh I was aboard of the Golden Vanitee
When she was held in chase by a Spanish piratee
And we sank 'em in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
We sank 'em in the lowlands low

Oh well, we had aboard of us a little cabin boy
Who said - What will you give me if the gallee I destroy
I'll give to you me daughter, she is me pride and joy
If you sink them in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
If you sink them in the lowlands low

So the boy bared his breast and he plunged into the tide
He swam until he came to the rascal pirate's side
He climbed on board, he went below, by none was he espied
And he sank them in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
He sank them in the lowlands low

Oh well, he bore with his auger, he bore once and twice
And some was playing cards and some was playing dice
But when he let the water in, it dazzled at their eyes
And he sank them in the lowlands
In the lowlands, lowlands
He sank them in the lowlands low

Oh yes, some was playing cards and some was playing dice
And some was in their hammocks a-sporting with their wives
But when he let the water in, it pulled out all their lives
And he sank them in the lowlands
In the lowlands, lowlands
He sank them in the lowlands low

So then the cabin boy he swam unto the larboard side
Saying - Captain take me up for I am drowning in the tide
I'll shoot you and I'll kill you if you claim me child as bride
And I'll sink you in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
I'll sink you in the lowlands low

So then the cabin boy he swam unto the starboard side
Saying – Messmates take me up for I am drifting with the tide
They took him up so quickly but when on deck he died
And they buried him in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
They buried him in the lowlands low

Oh yes, they took him up so quickly but when on deck he died
And they sewed him in his hammock that was so strong and wide
They said a short prayer over him and dropped him in the tide
And they sailed from the lowlands low
From the lowlands, lowlands
They sailed from the lowlands low

Well here's a curse onto the Captain wherever he may be
For taking a poor cabin boy so far away to sea
For taking a poor cabin boy so far away to sea
And to leave him in the lowlands low
In the lowlands, lowlands
To leave him in the lowlands low



6. The Old Virginia Lowlands
Brass Monkey, Sound & Rumour, vocals by Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, Topic TSCD501

Once there was a skipper he was boasting on the quay
Saying - I have a ship and a gallant ship is she
Oh I have a ship and a gallant ship is she
Of all the ships that I do know she's far the best to me

In the old Virginia lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

Oh I had her built in the north country
And I had her christened the Golden Vanity
Oh I had her christened the Golden Vanity
I armed her and I manned her and I sent her off to sea

In the old Virginia lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

Then up spoke a sailor who had just returned from sea
Oh I served on board of the Golden Vanity
Oh I served on board of the Golden Vanity
When she was held in chase by a Spanish piratee

In the old Virginia lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

And we had on board of us a little cabin boy
Who said - What will you give me if the galleon I destroy
Oh what will you give me if the galleon I destroy
Oh you will get my daughter she is my pride and joy

If you sink them in the lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

So the boy bared his breast and he plunged into the tide
And he swam and he swam to the rascal pirate's side
He swam and he swam to the rascal pirate's side
And he climbed on deck and he went below and none did him espy

And he sank them in the lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

He bore with his auger he bore once and twice
And some were playing cards and some were playing dice
The water it flowed in and it dazzled their eyes
The water it flowed in and it pulled out all their lives

And he sank them in the lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

Well he swam and he swam all to the starboard side
Saying - Captain take me up I am drifting with the tide
Oh Captain take me up - But so loud the Captain cried
I will sink you, I will kill you, you shall not have your bride

I will sink you in the lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

The shipmates took him up and on the deck he died
They sewed him in his hammock which was so strong and wide
They sewed him in his hammock it was so strong and wide
They prayed for him, they sang for him, they sunk him in the tide

In the old Virginia lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

My curse be on you Captain wherever you may be
My curse be on the Captain of the Golden Vanity
In waking and in sleeping until your dying day
For you gave your oath to him and you did him betray

In the old Virginia lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low

In the old Virginia lowlands
Lowlands low
In the old Virginia lowlands low



7. The Sweet Kumadee
Ewan MacColl, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads – vol.2, Folkways FG 3510, 1964

There was a ship sailed frae the north country
And the name of the ship was the Sweet Kumadee
She was built o' the pine and the bay oak tree
And she sailed on the Lowlands,Lowlands
And she sailed on the Lowlands low

We hadna been sailing a league but barely three
When the look-out man he sighted a French gaudie
And he said, We'll all be sent to the bottom o' the sea
As we sail on the Lowlands,Lowlands
As we sail on the Lowlands low

Then oot and spak our cabin-boy and oot spak he
Cryin', Captain, o captain,what will ye gie to me
If I swim alang the side o' the French gaudie
And sink her in the Lowlands,Lowlands
And sink her in the Lowlands low?

It's I will gi'e ye gowd and I will gi'e ye fee
And my eldest dochter your bride for to be
If ye'll swim along the side o' the French Gaudie
And sink her in the lowlands, lowlands
And sink her in the lowlands low

Ye'll row me into an auld bull's skin
Ye'll tak' me to the side and there ye'll throw me in
Wi' my instruments aboot me to the gaudie I will swim
And I'll sink her in the lowlands, lowlands
I'll sink her in the lowlands low!

The boy bent his back and awa' swam he
He swan till he cam' to the French Gaudie
Wi' his instruments aboot him, he started to mak' free
To sink her in the lowlands, lowlands
To sink her in the lowlands low

Some were at the cairds and some were at the dice
Four and twenty holes he has pierced in her side
Until the salt water it flashed before their eyes
And they sank in lowlands, lowlands
They sank in the lowlands low

O captain, O captain, be as guid as your word
You'll throw me a rope and ye'll pu' me on board
The gaudie she lies at the bottom of the road
She's lying in the lowlands, lowlands
She's lying in the lowlands low

I winna throw a rope or pu' ye on board
Ye can swim till ye sink, just as true as my word
Ye can swim till ye sink to the bottom of the road
Ye can sink in the lowlands, lowlands
Ye can sink in the lowlands low!

Ye'll throw me a rope and ye'll pu' me frae the sea
Or I'll swim to the side o' your Sweet Kumadee
And I'll send her to the bottom like the French Gaudie
That's lying on the lowlands, lowlands
That's lying on the lowlands low!

He's thrown to him a rope and they've pu'd him frae the sea
And he's gi'en to him the gowd and he's gi'en to him the fee
And his eldest dochter his bride for to be
As they sailed on the lowlands, lowlands;
As they sailed on the lowlands low



8. The Sweet Kumadie
Ian Manuel, The Dales of Caledonia, Topic 12TS301, 1976

There once was a ship sailed frae the north country
And the name of the ship was the Sweet Kumadie
She was built o' the pine and the bay oak tree
And she sailed on the Lowlands,Lowlands
And she sailed on the Lowlands low

Well, we hadna been sailing a league but barely three
When the look-out man he sighted a French gaudie
And he said - We'll all be sent tae the bottom o' the sea
As we sail on the Lowlands,Lowlands
As we sail on the Lowlands low

Well, it's oot and spak our cabin-boy, oot spak he
Cryin' - Captain, o captain,what will ye gie to me
If I swim alang the side o' your French gaudie
And I sink her in the Lowlands,Lowlands
And I sink her in the Lowlands low?

Oh, it's I'll gi'e ye gowd and I will gi'e ye fee
And my eldest dochter your bride for to be
Gin ye'll swim alang the side o' yon French Gaudie
And you sink her in the lowlands, lowlands
And you sink her in the lowlands low

The boy bent his back and awa' swam he
He swan till he cam' to the French Gaudie
And wi' his instruments aboot him, he started to mak' free
To sink her in the lowlands, lowlands
For to sink her in the lowlands low

Oh, some were at the cairds and some were at the dice
Four and twenty holes he has pierced in her side
Until the salt water, aye, it flashed before their eyes
And she sank in lowlands, lowlands
And she sank in the lowlands low

O captain, O captain, be as guid as your word
You'll throw me a rope and ye'll pu' me on board
For your gaudie, oh she lies at the bottom of the road
She lies in the lowlands, lowlands
Oh, she lies in the lowlands low

I'm not throwin' ye a rope or pu' ye on board
Ye can swim till ye sink, just as true as my word
Ye can swim till ye sink tae the bottom of the road
Ye can sink in the lowlands, lowlands
Ye can sink in the lowlands low!

Ye'll throw me a rope and ye'll pu' me frae the sea
Or I'll swim alang the side o' your Sweet Kumadie
And I'll send her to the bottom like your French Gaudie
And you'll sink on the lowlands, lowlands
And you'll sink on the lowlands low!

Oh, he's thrown him a rope and they've pu'd him frae the sea
He's gi'en to him the gowd and he's gi'en to him the fee
And his eldest dochter his bride for to be
As they sailed on the lowlands, lowlands;
As they sailed on the lowlands low



9. The Golden Vanity
Duncan Williamson, on Travellers' Tales, Volume 2, Songs, stories and ballads from Scottish Travellers, Gabrielle Ijdo, Stanley Robertson & Duncan Williamson, Kyloe 101, 2002

O I have a ship that sails on the sea
And she goes by the name of the Golden Vanity
But I'll doubt she'll by sunk by a Spanish Galee
As I sail round the lowlands low, low
As I sail round the lowlands low

Then up and spoke a cabin boy
A well-spoke lad was he
Saying – Captain, O captain, O what would you gi'e
If the Spanish Gallee would trouble you no more
As you sail round the lowlands low, low
As you sail round the lowlands low?

O guid gold I would give and silver in store
And my pretty little daughter who waits on the shore
If the Spanish Gallee would trouble me no more
As I sail round the lowlands low, low
As I sail round the lowlands low

O straight away the cabin boy bared his breast and dived in
He held in his hand an auger sharp and thin
He held in his hand an auger sharp and thin
He went swimming in the lowlands low, low
He went swimming in the lowlands low

Then he bored and he bored, he bored once or twice
For some was playing cards and some was playing dice
And the water it rushed in and dazzled till their eyes
And he sank 'em in the lowlands low, low
And he sank them in the lowlands low

Then he swam and he swam, crying – Captain, take me in
I am drowning in the lowlands low

O throw me a rope, a rope - cried he
A rope, O, a rope, you will never get from me
For you sunk the Dargle, the Turk of Admiree
Now she's lying in the lowlands low, low
Now she's lying in the lowlands low

So he swam around the starboard side, saying – Messmates, take me in
They throwed him a rope and his messmates took him in
And they wrapped him up in an old cow skin
And they sank him in the lowlands low, low
They sank him in the lowlands low



10. The Golden Vanity
Martyn Wyndham-Read, on Song Links, A celebration of English Traditional Songs and their Australian variants, Fellside FECD 176D

Now there once sailed a ship from the North Amerikee
The name that she went sailing by was the Golden Vanity
And she was a fine ship as she strolled along the deep
As she sailed along the lowlands, the lowlands
She sailed along the lowlands low

Now the first ship in sight was the Turkish Revelry
The captain he was frightened that they'd sink her in the sea
The captain he was frightened that they'd sink her in the sea
And that they'd send her to the lowlands, the lowlands
They'd send her to the bottom of the sea

Now the first that jumped up was the little sailor boy
Saying - Captain what will you give me if her I do destroy
I'll give you gold in store and my daughter when on shore
If you send her to the lowlands, the lowlands
You send her to the bottom of the sea

Well, he grabbed up the auger and overboard jumped he
He swam right and left for the Turkish Revelry
He bored nine holes in the bottom of the ship
And he sent her to the lowlands, the lowlands
And he sent her to the bottom of the sea

Now he swam back again to the Golden Vanity
Saying - Captain pick me up for I'm sinking in the sea
Captain pick me up for I'm drowning in the sea
And I'm going to the lowlands, the lowlands
I'm going to the bottom of the sea

Oh no, said the captain, that will never do
I'll shoot you or I'll stab you or I'll sink you in the sea
I'll shoot you or I'll stab you or I'll drown you in the sea
And I'll send you to the lowlands, the lowlands
I'll send you to the bottom of the sea

He said - Shipmates pick me up for I'm drowning in the sea
Shipmates pick me up for I'm drowning in the sea
Shipmates pick me up for I'm sinking in the sea
And I'm going to the lowlands, the lowlands
I'm going to the bottom of the sea

Well the shipmates picked him up, it was on he deck he died
They rolled him in his old grey shirt and sank him in the tide
They rolled him in his old grey shirt and sank him in the tide
And they sent him to the lowlands, the lowlands
They sent him to bottom of the sea

Now a curse on the captain wherever he may roam
For taking that poor sailor boy so far away from home
For taking that poor sailor boy so far away from home
And for sending him to the lowlands, the lowlands
For sending him to the bottom of the sea