Down in Carlisle there lived a lady
Being most beautiful and gay
She was determined to stay a lady
No man on earth could her betray

Unless it was a man of honour
A man of honour and high degree
And there approached two loving soldiers
This fair lady for to see

One being a brave lieutenant
A brave lieutenant and a man of war
The other being a bold sea captain
Captain of the ship that had come from afar

And then up spoke that brave young lady
Saying "I can be but one man's bride
But if you'll come back tomorrow morning
On this case we will decide."

She ordered her a span of horses
A span of horses at her command
And down the road these three together
They rode 'til they come to the lions' den

And there they stopped and there they halted
These two soldiers stood gazing round
And for the space of half an hour
That young lady lay speechless on the ground

And when she did recover
Threw her fan in the lions' den
Saying, "Which of you to gain a lady
Will return my fan again?"

And then up spoke that brave lieutenant
He raised his voice both loud and clear
He said "You know I am a dear lover of women
I will not risk my life for love."

And then up spoke that bold sea captain.
He raised his voice both loud and high,
He said "You know I am a dear lover of women
I will return your fan or die."

In the lions' den, he boldly entered
The lions being both wild and fierce
He walked on high and in among them
He did return her fan again

And when she saw her lover coming
Seeing no harm to him was done
She laid her head against his bosom
Saying, "Here is the prize that you have won."