Bo Lamkin was as fine a mason
As ever laid a stone
He built a fine castle
And the pay he got none
He built a fine castle
And the pay he got none

He swore by his maker
He'd kill them unknown.
Bewares of Bo Lamkin
When I'm gone from home
Beware of the Bo Lamkin
When I'm gone from home

Bo Lamkin he comes to the castle
And he knocked loud and long
There was no one as ready as the faultress
She arose and let him in

Oh where is the landlord?
Or is he at home?
Oh, no, he's gone to merry England
For to visit his son
He's gone to merry England
For to visit his son

How will we get her downstairs
Such a dark night as it is?
Stick pins and needles in the little baby
Stick pins and needles in the little baby

Bo Lamkin rocked the cradle
And the faultress she sung
While the tears and the red blood
From the cradle did run
While the tears and the red blood
From the cradle did run

The lady coming downstairs
Not thinking no harm
Bo Lamkin stood ready
He catched her in his arms
Bo Lamkin stood ready
And he caught her in his arms

Bo Lamkin, Bo Lamkin
Spare my life one hour
You can have my daughter Betsy
My own blooming flower
You can have my daughter Betsy
My own blooming flower

Bo Lamkin, Bo Lamkin
Spare my life one day
You can have all the gay gold
Your horse can tote away
You can have all the gay gold
Your horse can tote away

Oh keep your daughter Betsy
For to go to the flood,
To scour the silver basin
That catches your heart's blood

Daughter Betsy was a-setting
In the castle so high,
She saw her dear father come
A-ridin' hard by

Dear father, dear father
Come see what's been done
Bo Lamkin has been here
And he's killed your dear son
Bo Lamkin has been here
He's killed your baby
Bo Lamkin has been here
And killed your lady

Bo Lamkin was hung
To the scaffold so high
And the faultress was burned
To a stake standin' by