There lived a lady by the North Sea shore
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
Two daughters were the babes she bore
(la la la la la la la la la la)

As one grew bright as in the sun
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
So coal black grew the elder one
(la la la la la la la la la la)

Oh sister will you go with me
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
To watch the ships sail on the sea?
(la la la la la la la la la la)

She took her sister by the hand
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
And led her down to the North Sea strand
(la la la la la la la la la la)

And as they stood on the windy shore
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
The dark girl threw her sister o'er
(la la la la la la la la la la)

Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
Crying sister reach to me your hand
(la la la la la la la la la la)

And there she floated like a swan
(Lay the bent to the bonnie broom)
The salt sea bore her body on
(Fa la la la la la la la la la)