I am a sailor, both stout and strong
  To a goodly vessel I do belong
  Well guard and anchored and well equipped
  Sir William Gower and a very fine ship
  Our captain in his cabin lay
  When a dreadful voice to him did say
  "This night with me in the deep you'll be
  So prepare yourself and your company"
  The sky grew dark and the sea grew still
  Though the men were fearful and the air was chill
  Sir William rose to meet his men
  Saying "Hear me now for I'll not speak again"
  "I loved my mother when she was alive
  And to my sister I gave babies five
  I killed my wife and her children three
  So I now must face what has come for me"
  "You'll lash a timber close to my side
  And throw me out on the water wide
  And if I swim then let me be
  But if I sink them pray for me"
  So we tied his head and we tied his feet
  And around his middle a winding sheet
  At every knot the sea did stir
  Grew ready for the murderer
  And then we saw his open grave
  The likeness of a single wave
  That swept our ship from her stern to her bow
  And bore away Sir William Gower