I canna get to my love, if I would dee,
The water o' Tyne runs between her and me;
And here I must stand, wi' a tear in my e'e,
Both sighing and sickly my sweetheart to see.
O where is the boatman? my bonny hinny!
O where is the boatman? I'll give any money
To ferry me ower the Tyne to my hinny,
And I will remember the boatman and thee.
O bring me a boatman - I'll give any money,
And you for your trouble rewarded'll be,
To ferry me over the Tyne to my hinny,
Or scull her across that rough river to me.