[Verse 1]
What's the blood on the point of your sword?
O son David, my son David
What's the blood on the point of your sword?
Promise, tell me true

[Verse 2]
That's the blood of my grey mare
O lady mother, my lady mother
That's the blood of my grey mare
She would not rule by me

[Verse 3]
Your grey mare's blood was never so red
O son David, my son David
Your grey mare's blood was never so red
It's promise, tell me true

[Verse 4]
That's the blood of my hawking hound
O lady mother, my lady mother
That's the blood of my hawking hound
She would not rule by me

[Verse 5]
Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear
O son David, my son David
Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear
It's promise, tell me true
[Verse 6]
That's the blood of my brother John
O lady mother, my lady mother
That's the blood of my brother John
He drew his sword to me

[Verse 7]
What did you fall out about?
O son David, my son David
It's all for a little holly bush
That'll never grow to a tree

[Violin Solo]

[Verse 8]
I'll set my foot on a bottomless boat
O lady mother, my lady mother
Set my foot on a bottomless boat
Sail upon the sea

[Verse 9]
When will you come back again?
O son David, my son David
When will you come back again?
It's promise, tell me true
[Verse 10]
When the sun and moon meet in yonder glen
O lady mother, my lady mother
Sun and moon meet in yonder glen
And that will never be

[Violin Solo]

[Outro]
When the sun and moon meet in yonder glen
And that will never be