Where has ti' been maw canny hinny?
Where has ti' been maw winsome lad?
Aw've been to the Norrard, cruising back and forrard;
Aw've been to the Norrard, cruising sair and long.
Aw've been to the Norrard, cruising back and forrard,
But daurna come ashore for Bover and his men.

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Source: John Stokoe, 1899, Songs and Ballads of Northern England, Walter Scott Ltd, London and Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Notes:
Songs collected and edited by John Stokoe, arranged by Samuel Reay.

John Stokoe wrote:

This beautiful fragment was picked up by Mr Thomas Doubleday from a woman singing it in the streets, All attempts to recover more of it have been fruitless. Captain Bover was commander of the press-gang on the Tyne for many years, but appears to have carried out harsh laws as leniently as he could to be effective. He died 20 May 1792.

Roud: 3147 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: