A fine ballad, very common in Sweden, and preserved by tradition also in Denmark and Norway, has the same story with a tragical termination for the hero, saving a single instance, in which there is also a supernatural interference in his behalf. #Swedish.# 'Herr Peders Sjöresa.' #A#, Afzelius, II, 31, No 36, new ed. No 30, from oral traditions, compared with a printed copy of the date 1787. #B#, Atterbom's Poetisk Kalender, 1816, p. 52, apparently from Gyllenmärs' Visbok, after which it is given by Bergström, Afzelius, II, 158. #C#, Arwidsson, II, 5, No 67, one of three closely resembling copies. #D#, 'Herr Peder,' Wigström, Folkdiktning, I, 43, No 21. #E#, Fagerlund, p. 194, No 4. #F#, #G#, Aminson, IV, 20, 22. #Norwegian.# 'Unge herr Peder pá sjöen,' Landstad, p. 617, No 82. #Danish.# #A#, manuscript of the fifteenth century, in a copy communicated by Professor Grundtvig. #B#, 'Jon Rimaardssøns Skriftemaal,' Vedel, 1591, It Hundrede udvaalde Danske Viser, p. 3, No 2 (Bergström); Danske Viser, II, 220, No 92. #C#, 'Lodkastningen,' Kristensen, I, 16, No 6. #D#, 'Sejladsen,' the same, p. 322, No 119. Swedish #C-E#, the Norwegian version, Danish #C#, #D#, are all from recent oral tradition. With a partial exception of Danish #A#, #B#,[10] the story of these ballads is this. Sir Peter asks his foster-mother what death he shall die. You are not to die in your bed, she says, and not in fight, but beware of the waves. Peter cares not for the waves, and builds a splendid ship, the hulk and masts of whalebone (elm, Swedish #D#; walnut, Norwegian, Danish #D#), the flags of gold (oars, Danish #A#). Let us drink to-day, while we have ale, says Peter; to-morrow we will sail where gain shall guide. The skipper and helmsman push off, forgetful of God the Father, God's Son, and the Holy Ghost. They sail a year or two on the boiling sea, and when they come where water is deepest the masts begin to go, Swedish #A#; the ship stops, Swedish #C#, #D#, #F#, Norwegian, Danish #A#, #C#, #D#;[11] will not mind her helm, Danish #B#. They cast lots to see who is the sinner; the skipper and captain do this while Peter is in his cabin sleeping,[12] in Swedish #D#, Norwegian, Danish #C#, #D#. The lot falls on Peter. He makes his shrift, since there is no priest, before the mast (which, with the yard, forms a cross), Swedish #A#, #B#, Norwegian, Danish #B#, #C#; before an oar, on which Our Lord stands written, Danish #A#. "Churches have I plundered, and convents have I burned, and stained the honor of many a noble maid. I have roamed the woods and done both robbery and murder, and many an honest peasant's son buried alive in the earth:" Swedish #A#. He then says his last words, Danish #C#, #D#, and nearly all. 'If any of you should get back to land, And my foster-mother ask for me, Tell her I'm serving in the king's court, And living right merrily.