Early one morning so early in spring
I heard the brook ripple the mockingbird sing
A fair pretty maiden I chanced for to see
A-sitting and spinning and watching the sea.
Turning and turning, around and around
Watching my spindle, a-travelling down
The stars in the heavens and fish in the sea
Only know when my true love will come back to me
Turn for the lady who's waiting alone
Turn for the young man who's wand'ring and gone
Turn for the young one there soon is to be
Turn for the seagulls and turn for the sea
His child grows within me and waiting I'll be
When home he comes sailing from over the sea
The stars in the heavens and fish in the sea
Only know when my true love will come back to me
Turn for the lady who's waiting alone
Turn for the young man who'll never come home
Turn for the young one there soon is to be
Turn for the seagulls and turn for the sea