Lowlands Away

Hugill says that it was a pumping song, later used at windlass and capstan, but was never too popular as it was difficult to sing properly. The words, unusually sentimental for seamen, are of Scottish or north country origin but Hugill thinks the tune has a Negro touch about it and has met black shantymen who had sung it.

Lowlands Away

 
I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, lowlands, away my John
I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, away.
 
I dreamed I saw my own true love,
He stood so still, he did not move,
 
I dreamed my love was drowned and dead,
He stood so still, no word he said.
 
All dank his hair, all dim his eye,
I knew that he had said goodbye.
 
All green and wet with weeds so cold,
Around his form green weeds had hold.
 
'I'm drowned in the Lowland Seas,' he said,
'Oh, you an' I will ne'er be wed.'
 
'I shall never kiss you more,' he said,
'Never kiss you more for I am dead.'
 
'I will cut my breasts until they bleed.'
His form had gone in the green weed.
 
'I will cut away my bonnie hair,
No other man will think me fair.'
 
I bound the weeper round my head,
For now I knew my love was dead.
 
My love is drowned in the windy Lowlands,
My love is drowned in the windy Lowlands,