Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Sir Patrick Spence / Sir Patrick Spens (Child No. 58) (1st Take) - Sung by Duncan Williamson, a Traveller of Furnace, Argyllshire, Scotland, later settled in Fife. Recorded by David Engle on January 18, 1987.
The original recording can be listened to here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/91095?l=en
A biography of Duncan Williamson along with many further sound recordings can be found here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/person/4292?l=en
Linda Williamson's thesis on Scottish Traveller singing can be read here, it is well worth your time if you are interested in Duncan Williamson's song repertoire: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/8223
Note by Kevin W.:
Duncan said this is the Traveller version of Sir Patrick Spens. He first heard it told as a story and later pieced the ballad together from fragments he heard from Travellers throughout his life.
Sir Patrick Spens has rarely been recorded from traditional singers in modern times. Duncan's version is a joy to listen to, both tune and words are beautiful and different from what is found in print.
Notes on Historic Background:
The ballad has been the subject of considerable argument over the years regarding its historical basis. Duncan is clear that the ballad relates to the Scots King Alexander III who sent Sir Patrick Spens on his ill-fated voyage to Norway to bring back his little granddaughter. Alexander's eldest daughter Margaret had married Eric the young King of Norway (in 1281) but had died in childbirth leaving behind the little granddaughter (the Maid of Norway) as heir to the Scottish throne. The ballad (Child 58) is rare in the oral tradition with only two tunes in Greig Duncan (GD 1 17) and twelve in Bronson's Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads.
Song transcription:
O the king he sits in Dunfermline town
He's a-drinkin the blood-red wine
He said, Whaur shall I find a skilly skipper
Who will sail this fine ship o' mine?
Then up and speaks an old eldry knight
Who sits by the king's right knee
He says Sir Patrick Spens is the finest sailor
That ever did sail the sea
So the king he's taken his quill in hand
And in a letter he did say
You maun tak this to Sir Patrick Spens
You maun tak it right away
O the first words that Sir Patrick read
O a loud laugh laughed he
And the next words Sir Patrick read
O a tear it blinded his ee
He said, Wha's gone and done this thing
And tellt the king on me
That I maun sail through storm and gale
That I maun gang tae Norway?
But I'll sail, my lord, I will go, my king
I'll sail right through the faem
I'll make my way to Norway
And I'll bring young Margaret hame
So they sailed away from Dunfermline town
They sailed right through the faem
For they were bound for Norway
Just to bring young Margaret hame
Well they hadna been in Norway
O a week nor scarcely three
When the highest lords in the king's court
Did turn around and did say
O you Scottish men, O you drink our wine
And you spend our gold
And you have come to Norway
And you've brought none of your own
O you leer so loud, cried Sir Patrick Spens
You leer so loud, cried he
There is twenty thousand of gold and silver
In a dowry I've brought with me
But I'll sail this night, this very night
I'll sail right through the faem
I'll make my way to Scotland
And I'll bring young Margaret hame
So they sailed away from Norway
They sailed right through the faem
For they were bound for Dunfermline town
Just to bring young Margaret hame
But in the Firth o Forth they ran into a storm
And the waves round them they did sweep
Now Sir Patrick Spens and his gallant crew
Lie sleepin in the deep
Sir Patrick Spence / Sir Patrick Spens (Child No. 58) (1st Take) - Sung by Duncan Williamson, a Traveller of Furnace, Argyllshire, Scotland, later settled in Fife. Recorded by David Engle on January 18, 1987.
The original recording can be listened to here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/91095?l=en
A biography of Duncan Williamson along with many further sound recordings can be found here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/person/4292?l=en
Linda Williamson's thesis on Scottish Traveller singing can be read here, it is well worth your time if you are interested in Duncan Williamson's song repertoire: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/8223
Note by Kevin W.:
Duncan said this is the Traveller version of Sir Patrick Spens. He first heard it told as a story and later pieced the ballad together from fragments he heard from Travellers throughout his life.
Sir Patrick Spens has rarely been recorded from traditional singers in modern times. Duncan's version is a joy to listen to, both tune and words are beautiful and different from what is found in print.
Notes on Historic Background:
The ballad has been the subject of considerable argument over the years regarding its historical basis. Duncan is clear that the ballad relates to the Scots King Alexander III who sent Sir Patrick Spens on his ill-fated voyage to Norway to bring back his little granddaughter. Alexander's eldest daughter Margaret had married Eric the young King of Norway (in 1281) but had died in childbirth leaving behind the little granddaughter (the Maid of Norway) as heir to the Scottish throne. The ballad (Child 58) is rare in the oral tradition with only two tunes in Greig Duncan (GD 1 17) and twelve in Bronson's Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads.
Song transcription:
O the king he sits in Dunfermline town
He's a-drinkin the blood-red wine
He said, Whaur shall I find a skilly skipper
Who will sail this fine ship o' mine?
Then up and speaks an old eldry knight
Who sits by the king's right knee
He says Sir Patrick Spens is the finest sailor
That ever did sail the sea
So the king he's taken his quill in hand
And in a letter he did say
You maun tak this to Sir Patrick Spens
You maun tak it right away
O the first words that Sir Patrick read
O a loud laugh laughed he
And the next words Sir Patrick read
O a tear it blinded his ee
He said, Wha's gone and done this thing
And tellt the king on me
That I maun sail through storm and gale
That I maun gang tae Norway?
But I'll sail, my lord, I will go, my king
I'll sail right through the faem
I'll make my way to Norway
And I'll bring young Margaret hame
So they sailed away from Dunfermline town
They sailed right through the faem
For they were bound for Norway
Just to bring young Margaret hame
Well they hadna been in Norway
O a week nor scarcely three
When the highest lords in the king's court
Did turn around and did say
O you Scottish men, O you drink our wine
And you spend our gold
And you have come to Norway
And you've brought none of your own
O you leer so loud, cried Sir Patrick Spens
You leer so loud, cried he
There is twenty thousand of gold and silver
In a dowry I've brought with me
But I'll sail this night, this very night
I'll sail right through the faem
I'll make my way to Scotland
And I'll bring young Margaret hame
So they sailed away from Norway
They sailed right through the faem
For they were bound for Dunfermline town
Just to bring young Margaret hame
But in the Firth o Forth they ran into a storm
And the waves round them they did sweep
Now Sir Patrick Spens and his gallant crew
Lie sleepin in the deep
