“We Be Three Poor Mariners”

Description

"We be three poor mariners, newly come from the seas, We spend our lives in jeopardy, while others live at east. Shall we do dance the Round, around, around (x2)...." The singer praises merchantmen "that do our states maintain."

Notes

The text of this is pretty definitely not traditional (it looks like Ravenscroft hacked it up as a merchant sailor's equivalent of "We Be Soldiers Three"), but the tune, which Chappell describes as a dance tune "Brangill/Branle of Poictu," may be. - RBW

References

1. Chappell/Wooldridge I, pp. 134-135, "We Be Three Poor Mariners" (1 partial text, 1 tune)
2. Shay-SeaSongs, pp. 120-121, "We Be Three Poor Mariners" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. ADDITIONAL: Noah Greenberg, ed., An Anthology of English Medieval and Renaissance Vocal Music, pp. 202-204 (1 text, 1 tune with harmonization)
4. BI, ShaSS120