We be three poor mariners, newly come from the seas, We spend our lives in jeopardy, while others live at ease. Shall we go dance the Round, around, around? Shall we go dance the Round, around, around? And he that is a bully boy Come, pledge me on this ground, aground, aground! We care not for those martial men that do our states disdain; But we care for those merchantmen that do our states maintain. Shall we dance this Round, around, around? Shall we dance this Round, around, around? And he that is a bully boy Come, pledge me on this ground, aground, aground!

The air was first published in Thomas Ravenscroft’s Deuteromelia (1609), an English collection of rounds and catches. A cut-time tune set as a three-voice round, it also appears in William Chappell’s Popular Music of the Olden Time (vol. 1, 1859, pp. 134-135).

Smith (The Music of the Waters) writes:

“We be Three Poor Mariners” is still popular as a forecastle song, and a glance at it satisfied me that it was a genuine tar’s production.

Shay (An American Sailor's Treasury) writes:

The above song was first printed in 1609, and if the singer changes dance to drink he will have an excellent bar song.

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