I saw him on the strand;
he'd been so long at sea.
Come from the Isle of man,
and none to welcome him but me.
Down by the sea, knee-deep in seaweed,
I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea.
I had a kiss of the King's hand, the King's hand,
I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea.
I reached below his sleeve to find
As ordinary a hand as mine.
It had four fingers and a thumb,
And a wedding band on one.
And the King, he shook me free,
And waded out to sea.
And what should come tumbling on the brine?
A barrel of the King's own wine.
Oh, down by the sea, knee-deep in seaweed,
I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea.
I had a kiss of the King's hand, the King's hand,
I had a kiss of the King's hand, down by the sea.
I had a sip of the King's wine, the King's wine,
I had a sip of the King's wine, down by the sea.
Then I fell asleep in the King's arms, the King's arms,
I fell asleep in the King's arms, down by the sea.