Brown Robyn’s Confession
It fell upon a Wednesday
Brown Robyn's men went to sea
But they saw neither moon nor sun
Nor starlight with their eye
“We'll cast kevels among us
See what the unhappy man may be.”
The kevel fell on Brown Robyn
The master-man was he
“'It is no wonder,” said Brown Robyn
“Although I do not thrive
For with my mother I had two bairns
And with my sister five
“Tie me to a plank of wood
And throw me in the sea;
And if I sink you may bid me sink
But if I swim just let me be.”
He had not been in the sea
One hour but barеly three
Till by it came Our Blessed Lady
Hеr dear young son with she
“Oh will ye go to your men again
Or will ye go with me?
Will ye go to the high heavens
With my dear son and me?”
“Tie me to a plank of wood
And throw me in the sea;
And if I sink you may bid me sink
But if I swim just let me be.”
“I will not go to my men again
For they'd be feared of me;
But I will go to the high heavens
With thy dear son and thee.”
“It's not for your honour
It's for no good you did to me;
But it is for your fair confession
You've made upon the sea.”