Ballad
a.d. 1400
It was Earl Haldan’s daughter,
She looked across the sea;
She looked across the water,
And long and loud laughed she:
“The locks of six princesses
Must be my marriage fee:
So, hey, bonny boat, and ho, bonny boat,
Who comes a-wooing me!”
It was Earl Haldan’s daughter,
She walked along the sand,
When she was aware of a knight so fair,
Came sailing to the land.
His sails were all of velvet,
His mast of beaten gold,
And “Hey, bonny boat, and ho, bonny boat.
Who saileth here so bold?”
“The locks of five princesses
I won beyond the sea;
I shore their golden tresses
To fringe a cloak for thee.
One handful yet is wanting,
But one of all the tale;
So, hey, bonny boat, and ho, bonny boat,
Furl up thy velvet sail!”
He leapt into the water,
That rover young and bold;
He gript Earl Haldan’s daughter,
He shore her locks of gold:
“Go weep, go weep, proud maiden,
The tale is full to-day.
Now, hey, bonny boat, and ho, bonny boat,
Sail Westward ho, and away!”
Charles Kingsley.