Here's the first version of this song that was posted at Mudcat.

Thread #64   Message #1616
Posted By: Moira Cameron, moirakc@internorth.com
24-Jan-97 - 01:44 PM
Thread Name: Lyr ADD: The Sands of the Shore / ... o' the Shore
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SANDS OF THE SHORE

I learned this recently from a Scottish friend. The lyrics as she sings them are as follows:

THE SANDS OF THE SHORE

CHORUS:
The sands o' the shore and the waves o' the sea;
When his back is turned, he's a stranger to me,
Aye, a stranger to me, and as strange as can be;
I care nae more for him than the waves o' the sea.

I aince had a true love, but noo I hae nane;
He took awa' my hairt, but I got it back again.
Aye, I got it back again, and as frail though it be,
I care nae more for him than the waves o' the sea.
CHORUS:

He gave me the present of a fine diamond ring;
He thought it would entice me to gang awa' wi' him,
But I wasnae sae foolish as he took me to be--
For I care nae more for him than the waves o' the sea.
CHORUS:

Oh he is the son of some high-rankin' kin,
While I am just the daughter of a poor workin' man.
But he can drink his wine, and I'll sip my tea;
Fow I care nae more for him than the waves o' the sea.

And there's an interesting post in another thread:

Thread #81677   Message #1497536
Posted By: Bunnahabhain
01-Jun-05 - 03:02 PM
Thread Name: Tune Req: Sands of the shore.
Subject: Tune Req: Sands of the shore.


Does anyone have know the tune to this song?
I heard it years ago, and only just managed to identify it. The details below are from a thread that touched on it....

Sands of the shore:
Not trad, as often noted, these are the publication details from The British Library.

Title: On the sands of the shore..
Words by Harry Staunton. Music by Henry E. Pether
Composer: Pether. Henry E.
Publication details: London. Francis, Day & Hunter. c1911
Notes: Song, Two versions, in D and F