A good sword and a trusty hand, a merry heart and true

King James’ men shall understand what Cornish lads can do

And have they fixed the where and when, and shall Trelawny die

Here’s twenty thousand Cornishmen will know The Reason Why

And shall Trelawny live?

Or shall Trelawny die?

Here’s twenty thousand Cornishmen

Will know The Reason Why

Out spake their captain brave and bold, a merry wight was he

If LondonTower were Michael’s hold, we’d set Trelawny free

We’ll cross the Tamar, land to land, the Severn is no stay

Then one and all, and hand in hand, and who shall bid us nay?

And shall Trelawny live?

Or shall Trelawny die?

Here’s twenty thousand Cornishmen

Will know The Reason Why

And when we come to London wall, a pleasant sight to view

Come forth, come forth, ye cowards all, here’s men as good as you

Trelawny, he’s in keep in hold, Trelawny, he may die

But here's twenty thousand Cornish bold will know The Reason Why

And shall Trelawny live?

Or shall Trelawny die?

Here’s twenty thousand Cornishmen

Will know The Reason Why