We Be Three Poor Mariners
Music File
Lesley Nelson

Information
Lyrics
This song dates back to King Henry VIII's time. It was in Deuteromelia (1609) as one of King Henry's Mirth or Freemen's Songs. The tune is also a dance tune, possibly misnamed Brangill of Poictu in the Skene Manuscripts (circa 1630).* It also appeared later in Thomas D'Urfey's Wit and Mirth, or Pills to Purge Melancholy (vol i, 1698 and 1707). We be three poor mariners
Newly come from the seas;
We spend our lives in jeopardy
While others live at ease.
Come let us dance the round,
A round, a round
Come let us dance the round,
A round, a round
And he that is a bully boy
Come pledge me on this ground,
A ground, a ground.

We care not for these martial men
That do our states disdain;
But we care for those merchant men
Who do our states maintain.
To them we dance this round,
A round, a round
To them we dance the round,
A round, a round
And he that is a bully boy
Come pledge me on this ground,
A ground, a ground.

Related Links
From One Hundred Songs of England and
*Popular Music of the Olden Time
See Bibliography for full information.