Traditional folk song
Adapted by The Watersons, 1966
Variant 2025

Come all you bold heroes, give an ear to me song
I’ll sing in the praise of good brandy and rum
There’s a clear crystal fountain near England shall roll
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

From France we do get brandy, from Jamaica comes rum
Sweet oranges and apples from Portugal come
But stout and strong cider are England’s control
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

My wife she do disturb me when I’m laid at my ease
For she does as she likes and she says as she please
My wife she’s a devil, her heart’s black as coal
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

(Alternatively)
My love he do disturb me when I’m laid at my ease
For he does as he likes and he says as he please
My love he’s the devil, his heart’s black as coal
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

My father he do lie in the depths of the sea
No stone at his head, but what matters to he?
There’s a clear crystal fountain near England shall roll
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl

I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl