The Bold Fisherman
As I walked out one May morning
down by the riverside
there I beheld a bold fisherman
come a-rowing with the tide
come a-rowing with the tide
there I beheld a bold fisherman
come a-rowing with the tide
Good morning to you bold fisherman
how came you fishing here
I came here a fishing for your sweet sake
all on this river clear
all on this river clear
I came here a fishing for your sweet sake
all on this river clear
He lashed his boat unto a stake
and to this lady went
he took her by the lilywhite hand
which was his full intent
which was his full intent
he took her by the lilywhite hand
which was his full intent
He then unfolded his morning gown
and so gently laid it down
there she beheld three chains of gold
hang a-dangling three times round
hang a-dangling three times round
there she beheld three chains of gold
hang a-dangling three times round
She then fell on her bended knees
and so loud for mercy called
in calling you a bold fisherman
I fear you are some lord
I fear you are some lord
in calling you a bold fisherman
I fear you are some lord
Rise up rise up rise up said he
from off your bended knees
there is not one word that you have said
that has offended me
that has offended me
there is not one word that you have said
that has offended me
I will take you to my father's house
and married you shall be
then you will have a bold fisherman
to row you on the sea
to row you on the sea
then you will have a bold fisherman
to row you on the sea
The Bold Fisherman is sung by Ben Copper and Mark, Andy and Sean Barratt on the Coppersongs3 CD; words and music are in neither The Copper Family Song Book, nor Bob Copper's book, A Song for Every Season. The Young Tradition sing a very similar version on their eponymous 1966 recording. Part of the unsigned note on the CD re-release reads: "This song has been widely distributed throughout the country; versions have been collected from Harry Cox and the Copper family."
Coppersite
New: 8 November 1998 | Now: 8 November 1998 | Transcription by Garry Gillard