I was loved and I was wanted
I was needed in my home
But I left it and my family
To go wandering on my own
I wanted to go anywhere
I wanted just to see
The lands between my own until
I reached the shining sea
Shallow grave, shallow grave
This is what I've come to
Shallow grave
When I reached the sea I stayed there
For want of nothing new
Till a press man thought to press me
To go wandering on the blue
It's a hard life for a sailor
Working for his Majesty
But you're fed and you are watered
And there's always company
Shallow grave, shallow grave
This is my legacy
Shallow grave
But I couldn't stop my wandering
So in Portsmouth I jumped ship
Wandered far from sea and sailing
The hills of Wales to trip
There they say that I did murder
There they say I killed a man
But he drew his knife afore me
Bloody murder was his plan
Shallow grave, shallow grave
This my only bequest
Shallow grave
Well I found that I was hunted
By his royal majesty
And no matter where I wandered
He was always chasing me
So I found the disaffected
Or more likely they found me
And I found that I was suited
To a life of robbery
Shallow grave, shallow grave
You alone are my gift
Shallow grave
So they sent some men to take me
Put a price upon my head
With a further purse of coin
For to bring it in quite dead
So my friend you caught me sleeping
With a pistol in your hand
No escape from justice this time
Nor pity for a naked man
Shallow grave, shallow grave
Will you lower me in
Shallow grave
Now I must be on my travels
Though I see that yours are done
And the shallow grave I gave you
Must one day become my own
Shallow grave, shallow grave
One more time I escape
Shallow grave