1)
In the prisons of Nantes
lie-dam-diddly-dum-diddly-dee-
lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
In the prisons of Nantes
There was a prisoner - there was a prisoner.
(2)
No one could see 'im
lie-dam-diddly-dum-lam-dee-
lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
No one could see 'im
Save the gaoler's daughter - save the gaoler's daughter
(3)
Who brought him his drink
lie-dam-diddly-dum-lam-dee-lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
Who brought him his drink
His food and drink everyday
(4)
And some white shirts
lie-dam-didd-lam-dee-lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
And some white shirts
When he needed a change - when he needed a change.
(5)
One day he asks her
lie-dam-didd-lam-dee-lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
One day he asks her:
what do they say about me ? - what do they say about me ?
(6)
The rumour spreads in town
lie-dam-didd-lam-dee — lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
The rumour spreads in town
That tomorrow you'll hang - that tomorrow you'll hang.
(7)
Since I have to hang
lie-dam-didd-lam-dee — lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
Since I have to hang
Untie at least my feet - untie at least my feet.
(8)
The lassie was youngish
lie-dam-diddly-dum-diddly-dee — lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
The lassie was youngish
His feet she loosed — his feet she loosed.
(9)(pace up from start)
The alert prisoner
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…
The alert prisoner
Into the Loire threw himself — into the Loire threw himself.
(10 musical accompaniment stops; maybe percussion remains [rhythm bones or woodblocks]: add backing vocals)
On the first dive
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…
On the first dive
He nearly drowned — he nearly drowned.
(11: same as 10
)
On the second dive
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…
On the second dive
Across the Loire he swam — across the Loire he swam.
(12: musical accompaniment resumes; no backing vocals)
Soon as he set foot on the bank
He started singing:
(13)
I sing for the lasses
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…
Specially the gaoler's daughter
.
(14: descant)
If I return to Nantes
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…
I sure will marry her.
(15: possibly backing vocals)
In the prisons of Nantes
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…
There was a prisoner.
(16: Instrumental reprise)