Lyrics:

Down in Carlisle there lived a lady
Being most beautiful and gay,
She was determined to stay a lady,
No man on earth could her betray.

Unless it was a man of honour
A man of honour and high degree,
And there approached two loving soldiers,
This fair lady for to see.

One being a brave lieutenant
A brave lieutenant and a man of war
The other being a bold sea captain,
Captain of the ship that had come from afar.

And then up spoke that brave young lady,
Saying "I can be but one man's bride,
But if you'll come back tomorrow morning,
On this case we will decide."

She ordered her a span of horses
A span of horses at her command;
And down the road these three together
They rode 'til they come to the lions' den.

And there they stopped and there they halted
These two soldiers stood gazing round;
And for the space of half an hour
That young lady lay speechless on the ground.

And when she did recover,
Threw her fan in the lions' den
Saying, "Which of you to gain a lady
Will return my fan again?"

And then up spoke that brave lieutenant,
He raised his voice both loud and clear,
He said "You know I am a dear lover of women,
I willl not risk my life for love."

And then up spoke that bold sea captain.
He raised his voice both loud and high,
He said "You know I am a dear lover of women
I will return your fan or die."

In the lions' den, he boldly entered,
The lions being both wild and fierce,
He walked on high and in among them,
He did return her fan again.

And when she saw her lover coming
Seeing no harm to him was done,
She laid her head against his bosom,
Saying, "Here is the prize that you have won."