Standard (EADGBE)
Come all ye wild young people and listen to my song
I will unfold concerning gold that guides so many wrong
Young Emma was a servant maid who loved a sailor bold
Who ploughed the main much gold to gain for his love so we've been told.
He ploughed the main for seven years and then return-ed home
As soon as he set foot on shore unto his love did go
He went unto young Emma's house his gold all for to show
That he had gained upon the main all in the lowlands low.
Young Edwin he sat drinking till time to go to bed
He little thought a sword that night would part his body and head
Young Edwin he got into bed and scarcely was asleep
When Emily's cruel parents soft into his room did creep
They stabbed him, dragged him out of bed and to the sea did go
They sent his body floating, down to the lowlands low
"Oh father, where's the stranger came here last night to lay?"
"Oh he is dead no tales can tell" the father he did say.
The fishes of the ocean swim o'er my lover's breast
His body rolls in motion I hope his soul's at rest
The shells upon the sea shore rolling to and fro
Remind me of young Edwin that ploughed the lowlands low
So many a day she passed away and tried to ease her mind
Crying "Oh my friends, my love is gone and I am left behind"
And Emma broken hearted was to Bedlam forced to go
Her shrieks were for young Edwin that ploughed the lowlands low.