I Had A Kiss Of The King's Hand

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 sea****,

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 sea****,

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.