Painting of Pretty Polly by Richard L. Matteson Jr. C 2009
Narrative: 1. Gosport Tragedy; Cruel Ships Carpenter; Pretty Polly
Aa. "The Gosport Tragedy: Or, The Perjured Ship-Carpenter" (1720-1750) White-letter broadside, 34 stanzas. "Printed and Sold at the Printing Office in Bow Church-yard, London," circa 1720, John Cluer printer [ref. British Library] or circa 1750 by William Dicey printer [ref. Roxburghe Ballads vol. 8, 1897].
b. The Gosport Tragedy (1776) 18th Century broadside from Early American Imprints, Supplements from the American Antiquarian Society. "Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston." Printers were John & Thomas Fleet Jr.; dated 1776-1805.
c. "The Gosport Tragedy" (1825) from Gleanings of Scotch, English, and Irish, Scarce old ballads, etc." edited by Peter Buchan.
d. "The Gosport Tragedy" from William Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, Vol. 2, 1881 [text from Buchan, see Ac.]
Ba. "The Gosport Tragedy," 27 stanza broadside printed by Leonard Deming, Boston, c. 1835[1]. "Shewing how a young damsel was seduced by a ship-carpenter, who led her into a lonesome wood, and there destroyed her—how her ghost haunted him at sea, and he died distracted." This is significantly different than Aa. A number of versions are similar to or based on B including the version from Maritime Canada, G and H, as well as parts of D, F, and I.
b. "The Gosport Tragedy" Forget-Me-Not Songster; New York, Nafis & Cornish c. 1844.
c. "The Gosport Tragedy" Brown Collection of NC Folklore; 1952; versions A (Webb) and B (York); learned from print.
d. "The Gosport Tragedy" A family version from the 1800s as sung by Carrie Grover of Gorham, Maine. "A Heritage of Songs" 1973.
e. "The Ship's Carpenter" sung by Mrs Charles Huntoon, St. Louis, Mo., May 2, 1934. Randolph C.
f. "Cruel Ship's Carpenter," as sung by Captain Pearl R. Nye, (1872-1950) on November 3, 1937, recorded by Lomax.
g. "The Gosport Tragedy." Sung by Ethel Findlater and Elsie Johnston, Dounby, Orkney, recorded 1955 by Kennedy and 1967 by Alan Bruford.
Ca. "Polly's Love" or "The Cruel Ship-Carpenter" broadside Pitts c. 1820; Harding B 11(824)
b. "Love and Murder," broadside by Amstrong c. 1820, Liverpool; see also J. K. Pollock, Printer, North Shields; Harding B 25(1156)
c. "Pretty Polly" sung John Whittaker in Utah in July, 1870, Hubbard.
d. "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" sung by Henry Burstow of Horsham, Sussex; collected by Broadwood 1893 published in 1902.
e. "Sally Monroe" a hybrid version sung by Mrs. Hayes (Newfoundland) 1929 Greenleaf.
f. "Pretty Polly," sung by Fred Carriere, (1875-1954) of Champion, MI, on October 10, 1938, recorded by Alan Lomax, melody "Sweet Betsy from Pike."
g. "Pretty Polly," unnamed informant from St. Shott’s, Trepassey, Newfoundland; 1951. From Leach; Book of Ballads p. 147.
h. "Young Willie," sung by Paddy McCluskey, Clough Mills, Co. Antrim on 5th August, 1953. Recorded by Peter Kennedy and Sean O'Boyle. Also recorded in 1973 by Mike Waterson.
i. "Ghost Song," sung by Sam Larner (1878-1965) of Winterton on the recording "Now Is The Time For Fishing" (1961).
D. "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter." Sharp's title; as sung by Mr. T. Jeff Stockton at Flag Pond, Tenn., Sept. 4, 1916; Sharp EFSSA I, version B.
E a. "Pretty Polly," sung by Hilliard Smith[2] of Kentucky before 1907. Collected by Katherine Pettit at Hindman and given in MS to Kittredge before 1907 where it appeared in JAF and to Olive Dame Campbell around 1910. Also collected by Josiah Combs (his C version, no date given but before 1924) and Sharp (his C version) in 1917. This represents the extended Appalachian version with Polly's ghost.
b. "Pretty Polly." Communicated by Miss Catherine Sutherland music teacher at Hindman Settlement School, Knott County Kentucky, December 20, 1925. From Cox, Traditional Ballads & Folk Songs Mainly from West Virginia; 1939. It is a rewrite of Ea.
c. "Pretty Polly." Sung by Mrs. Tom Rice of North Carolina. From EFFSA Sharp A
d. "Pretty Polly." Sung by Mrs. Mary Tucker of Varnell, Georgia; February, 1929. Henry B
e. "A Ship Carpenter," sung by Hannah Mitchell of North Carolina; 1918 Sharp MS
f. "Pretty Polly," from Sharp and Raine, Kentucky, 1923 in Mountain Ballads for Social Singing.
Fa. "The Gaspard Tragedy." From the singing of Mrs. Margaret Curry, Tatamagouche, Colchester County (first printed, Quest, pp. 55-58, 1919) Nova Scotia. Collected by Mackenzie; reprinted in 1928. This was learned from print, probably Bb.
b. "The Ship's Carpenter," sung by Thomas Young, Petpeswick, NS c. 1933; Creighton A.
c. "The Ship's Carpenter," sung by Mrs. Charles Kenny, Roman Valley; before 1950; Creighton B.
d. "The Ship's Carpenter," sung by Mrs. R. W. Duncan, Dartmouth, NS, before 1950; Creighton D.
Ga. "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter." Sung by Jemima Hitchcock, Bonavista Bay, NL 1929 Karpeles
b. "Pretty Polly," as performed by Din Dobbin of St.Vincent's collected by MacEdward Leach in the early 1950s
c. "The Ship's Carpenter," collected by Kenneth Peacock in 1960 from Joshua Osborne
Ha. "Ship's Carpenter," sung by LaRena Clark; Ontario c. 1930 Fowke.
b. "The Ship's Carpenter," sung by Leo Spencer, 1962 of Lakefield, Ontario; Fowke; The Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs, 1962.
c. "The Ship's Carpenter," sung by G. Duplessis; Eel River Bridge, New Brunswick; Manny and Wilson.
I. "The Ship Carpenter," text communicated by Miss Inez Parrish, Trenton, who took it down from the singing her mother Mrs. J. H. Parrish. Published in Folksongs of Florida; Morris, 1950.
J. "Pretty Polly" Sung by Brunner of Catawba, West Virginia, 1957.
K. "Gospels of Libby" unknown informant from Maryland Folklore and Folklife p. 59, 1970; collected by George Gibson Carey.
La. "Pretty Polly" From Lily Mae Ledford's recording with The Coon Creek Girls; Kentucky, 1938. Also sung by her granddaughter Cari Norris.
b. "Pretty Polly" Sung and played on banjo by Dock Boggs of Norton, Virginia; recorded for Brunswick in NYC in 1927
c. "Pretty Polly" sung by B.F. Shelton of Clay County, KY from Victor recording (V1 35838) made in 1927.
d. "Pretty Polly" from recording of Aunt Molly Jackson of Kentucky by Lomax, 1935.
e. "Pretty Polly." Sung by Hattie Presnell, December 9, 1966; learned from her father-in-law, Lee Monroe Presnell.
M. [Hybrid versions from Appalachia in waltz time]
Ma. "Pretty Polly" communicated by J. M. Jarrell, Kichsville, Wayne County, September 29, 1926, as sung by his father 70 years earlier (1856). Attached to "One Morning in May," Cox II, B.
b. "Pretty Polly" sung by an unknown informant collected by Isabel Rawn probably in TN, 1914 Campbell MS
c. "Pretty Mollie" sung by Roxy Gay of Canton Georgia, 1914; collected by Isabel Rawn.
d. "Pretty Polly." Recorded in East Bend, NC on September 2, 1944 from Uncle Pat Fry. From the W. Amos Abrams Folksong Collection.
e. "Pretty Polly." Sung by Flora and Lucien McDowell of TN c.1899 McDowell; from Memory Melodies- A Collection of Folk-Songs from Middle Tennessee- McDowell; 1947
Na. "Miss Brown of Dublin City" sung by Jeannie Robertson, learned circa 1917.
b. "The Murder of Miss Mary Brown" sung by Maggie Stewart, 1954
c. "The Dublin Murder Ballad" sung by Patrick Galvin, Cork, Ireland, 1956
d. "Miss Brown" sung by Frank Harte, County Dublin, 1975.
O. "Molly, Lovely Molly" sung by Charlie Somers, the Bog, Bellarena, County Derry on July 21, 1969.
Version Aa (my Type 1 Ballad) is a broadside of 34 stanzas entitled, The Gosport Tragedy: Or, The Perjured Ship-Carpenter, which was "Printed and Sold at the Printing Office in Bow Church-yard, London." It appears in The Roxburghe Ballads, Volume 8 by William Chappell (1897) and is dated circa 1750 by Ebsworth. The British Library dates the broadside circa 1720 and the printer at Bow church-yard in 1720 would have been John Cluer who died in 1727. Subsequent printers at Bow Church-Yard include Cluer's wife Elizabeth and her brother William Dicey. "The Gosport Tragedy" was to be sung to "Peggy's gone over the sea [with the soldier]."
A nearly identical broadside, Ab, was recovered in the US which was printed by the Fleet brothers in Cornhill, Boston and is dated 1776-1805 by the American Antiquarian Society. Additionally A was published as a broadside in New York in 1798 (Printed for the hawkers., 1798 in Early American imprints. no. 33809) along side Bonny Wully. The Aa broadside text was included in Peter Buchan's "Gleanings"[3] in 1825 which is my Ac. Buchan's version is missing one stanza and appears to be taken from a Glasgow chapbook printing of Aa of which stanza 8 is also missing. The first six stanzas of Buchan's text was wed to a traditional melody in William Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, Vol. 2, 1881, which is version Ad. The air on p. 98 is described as "from the singing of Jamie Coul, Port Gordon." A has not been traditional in the British Isles[4] and there are no known extant traditional versions that have been found in North America. Aa was subsequently reprinted in a number of chapbooks[5] and broadsides which will not be listed here.
"Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston."
The Gosport Tragedy- a broadside dated 1776 by the American Antiquarian Society
Gosport is a naval town on the south coast of Hampshire in southern England located on a peninsula on the western side of Portsmouth Harbor opposite the City of Portsmouth. In "The Gosport Tragedy: Story of a Ballad," David C. Fowler[6] proposes that the song may have been based on events that took place in 1726. A ship, named the Bedford often "lay at Portsmouth" as in the ballad. According to Fowler: a ship's carpenter on the HMS Bedford by the name of John Billson joined the Bedford on May 1, 1723, and died at sea on September 25, 1726. Charles Stewart, mentioned as a ship-mate in the ballad, was among the crew members at the time. Fowler's article is explored in Chapter 6: "Pretty Polly" in Paul Slade's book, Unprepared To Die: America's greatest murder ballads. Slade looks carefully at Fowler's article but skims over the textual differences of the three important broadside types which help identify their traditional counterparts.
The Gosport Tragedy ballad story in Aa features William, a ship's carpenter on land leave, who courts and proposes to Molly, a fair damsel. Molly, who initially rejects his proposals, eventually succumbs and with "lewd desires he led her astray." She becomes pregnant by him and before William goes back to sea on the Bedford[7], he asks Molly to go with him, "a friend to see." Instead, he takes her "through valleys and groves so deep" where he murders her and buries her body. He returns home and boards the Bedford which is docked at Plymouth (Portsmouth). Her ghost appears to a shipmate, Charles Stuart[8], who warns the captain of the murder, for it's an ill omen to go to sea with a murderer. When confronted, William confesses and after he is visited by her ghost goes "raving distracted" and "died in the night." At her parents request, Molly's grave is found and her body is given a proper burial at the Gosport Church-yard. A moralistic stanza about men "being true to your love" concludes the 34 stanza broadside.
The HMS Bedford was launched in 1698. Since the Bedford was based at Portsmouth from 1710 to 1740 it's likely the broadside was written during this time.
Ab, nearly identical to Aa, was printed in the US by the Fleet brothers in Cornhill, Boston and is dated 1776-1805 by the American Antiquarian Society. A was published as a broadside in New York in 1798 (printed for the hawkers., 1798 in Early American imprints. no. 33809) along side Bonny Wully. It was also printed by Shaw & Shoemaker in Philadelphia in 1805 as "Ship-carpenter, or, The Gosport tragedy: to which is added Capt. Ward and the Rainbow." Additional printings in the US were mentioned by Cox[9]: "The Gosport Tragedy" was printed in the United States as a chapbook (at Philadelphia?) in 1816, and again (at Philadelphia) in 1829 (Harvard College Library, 25276, 43, 81). It was found also in The New American Song Book (Philadelphia, 1817), p. 69. These versions are currently unavailable but they likely represent printings of A[10].
Ba, (my Type 2 Ballad) a 27 stanza broadside printed by Leonard Deming, Boston, c. 1835 (see image below) is titled "The Gosport Tragedy, Shewing how a young damsel was seduced by a ship-carpenter, who led her into a lonesome wood, and there destroyed her—how her ghost haunted him at sea, and he died distracted." Although the Deming Broadside is not the earliest known printing,[11] it has been chosen to represent B. Because textual elements of B have been disseminated by immigrants from the UK who settled in North America, this broadside was possibly written from an unknown UK tradition or was once printed in the UK in the 1700s but has since disappeared. The differences between Ba and Aa are significant enough to list Ba as a separate broadside. It's possible the changes from A represent a new tradition since versions similar to Ba have been found in the Appalachia, Maritime Canada and even one recent version, Bf, in Orkney[12]. Bb, was reprinted with minor spelling and punctuation differences in The Forget-Me-Not Songster (NY, c. 1844). A number of traditional ballads found in North America have a stanza or wording from Ba, the Deming broadside, which are not found in Aa, the Roxburghe broadside. The modifications include Molly's name change to Mary (found in Deming after the 4th stanza and indicating that perhaps the beginning of A was used to create B); Charles Stuart's name has been changed to simply, Stewart. Some other identifiers of Ba include the last stanza- which now begins: "In Gosport's green church yard" and this stanza (the 24th) which is not found in Aa:
Whoever you be, if the truth you deny,
When found out, you'll be hung at the yard arm so high
But he who confesses, his life we'll not take,
But leave him upon the first island we make.
There are also a number of other differences when comparing the parallel lines in the older broadside, Aa; for example, "and to lewd desire", "He said that is true", and "Let me go distress'd" in the older text become "in sin's hellish paths", "He said you've guessed right", and "Let me live full of shame" in Deming. References to the original Royal Navy context are removed: "The king wants sailors" becomes "His ship must be sailing", and Portsmouth is changed to Plymouth. The presence of one or other of these in an oral version would also be a good pointer to its being derived (at least partly) from the older broadside text or from the Deming one[13].
Ba is nearly identical to Mackenzie's Nova Scotia text, Fa, "Gaspard Tragedy," which means his informant, a Mrs. Margaret Curry, learned her version from a print source, Ba or likely Bb. Other versions that appear to be based directly on Ba are Brown A and B[14] designated Bc. Brown A was probably learned recently from print but partially forgotten and Brown B was taken from Brown A. Carrie Grover's "Gosport Tragedy" version, Bd, learned from her family in Nova Scotia and brought to Maine, dates back to the 1800s and is similar to Ba but has entered tradition. Other traditional versions that are based on Ba include Be, a version from St. Louis in 1934 (Randolph C) with "ship carpenter" in the first stanza. "Cruel Ship's Carpenter," Bf, as sung by Captain Pearl R. Nye (1872-1950) of Ohio on November 3, 1937 and versions F through K, all have have elements of B.
Deming's "Gosport Tragedy" c. 1835, above and a short excerpt below:
The captain soon summoned the jovial ship’s crew,
And said “My brave fellows, I fear some of you,
Have murdered some damsel ‘ere you came away,
Whose injured ghost haunts you now on the sea.
“Whoever you be, if the truth you deny,
When found out, you’ll be hung on the yard-arm so high,
But he who confesses, his life we’ll not take,
But leave him upon the first island we make”.
Then William immediately fell on his knees,
The blood in his veins quick with horror did freeze,
He cried “Cruel murder! Oh, what have I done?
God help me, I fear my poor soul is undone.”
To reiterate: B, offers a parallel tradition to A. Elements of B are found in the versions from Maritime Canada which are separated as F, from Nova Scotia, G, from Newfoundland and H, from Ontario and New Brunswick. Although printed in the Northeast US, it's possible that B was first an early British broadside that entered tradition or was taken from British tradition in the late 1700s but has since disappeared. How else could stanzas from B have been taken to remote areas such as Maritime Canada, Orkney and the Appalachians?
The third important broadside, Ca, (my Type 3 Ballad) titled "Polly's Love" or "The Cruel Ship-Carpenter,"[15] was printed sometime shortly after 1800 (ref. Roud, the Pitts broadside is c. 1820). This broadside is shortened and has a considerably different beginning and ending than either A or B. It entered tradition in the British Isles where it was collected in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Four rare traditional versions similar to C have also been found in North America[16]. The oldest was sung in Utah on July 4, 1870[17]. The first English traditional text collected, Cb, is nearly identical to the shortened broadside (Polly's Love). It was noted by Lucy Broadwood (Cb) from Mr. Henry Burstow in 1893, who sang it to the tune of "Villikins and his Dinah." (See: Songs from the Collection of Lucy Broadwood; 1902). Broadside examples of "Polly's Love" include Pitts c.1820, Harkness c. 1840 and Such c.1850.
The shortened British broadside "Polly's Love" is easily identified by the opening line "In fair Worcester city and in Worcestershire," and the last two stanzas:
Then up stepp'd one indeed it's not me
Then up stepp'd another, the same he did say
Then up starts young William to stamp and to swear
Indeed it's not me sir, I vow and declare.
As he was a turning from the captain with speed
He met his Polly which made his heart bleed
She stript him and tore him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she[18].
A number of traditional versions of the shortened broadside, "Polly's Love" were collected in the British Isles after Burstow's version in 1893. At least four versions of C, one a hybrid[19], were collected in North America.
The fourth ballad-type is a shortened traditional version known in the US as "Pretty Polly[20]" and is represented by both E and L. This "traditional type" became very popular in the Appalachians after the Civil War and on into the early and mid-1900s. It has been recorded and performed by bluegrass musicians like Patty Loveless and the Stanley Brothers and remains popular today. A number of versions were collected in the early 1900s by Sharp, Cox, Brown, Henry, Scarborough and others. Lomax recorded a number of versions in Kentucky in the 1930s, which is the main location of E. The fourth ballad-type, "Pretty Polly," has similar stanzas in Aa and also Ba:
So with kind embraces he parted that night,
She went to meet him in the morning light;
He said, "Dear charmer thou must go with me,
Before we are wedded, a friend to see."
He led her through valleys and groves so deep,
At length this maiden began for to weep;
Saying, "William, I fancy thou leadst me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray."
He said, "That is true, and none you can save,
For I all this night have been digging a grave."
Poor innocent soul! when she heard him say so,
Her eyes like a fountain began for to flow.
[This next stanza about her child is usually missing]
Her hands white as lilies in sorrow she wrung,
Beseeching for mercy, saying, "What have I done
To you my dear William, what makes you severe?
For to murder one that loves you so dear."
He said, "Here's no time disputing to stand,"
And instantly taking the knife in his hand;
He pierced her body till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her body did throw.
He cover'd her body, then home he did run,
Leaving none but birds her death to mourn[21];
These "standard" stanzas found also the broadsides make up the core of the fourth ballad-type which is "traditional." They are found in most full Appalachian versions as represented by L. Five versions of L have been selected to represent the many dozen standard versions. Here's an excerpt of two stanzas as sung by Aunt Molly Jackson, recorded by Lomax in 1935[22]:
Pretty Polly
Oh where is Pretty Polly? Yonder she stands,
Where is Pretty Polly? Yonder she stands,
With rings on her fingers and lily-white hands.
She jumps on behind him and away they did ride
She jumps on behind him and away they did ride
Till they came to a grave and a spade lying by.
The standard Appalachian form is AAB form, the first line is repeated followed by the second line which rhymes. This is the same form as a 12 bar blues. In Appalachia these are know as "white blues" which are modal, pentatonic with a flat 7 and sometimes minor 3rd (sung). They sometimes shift to a flat 7 chord with a chord progression something like: I, VIIb7, I, I, VIIb7, I, V7, I. Examples of other "white blues" include Hustling Gamblers, Little Maggie, and Darling Cory.
From the standard text also found in the broadsides, different beginnings and endings have been created. Here are several standard openings for the short US fourth ballad-type:
1a. I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I courted Pretty Polly, her beauty has never been found.[23]
The above example was from Jim Howard of Kentucky in 1937. The first line was corrupted from:
I used to be a rambler, I roamed from town to town.
Notice that the final line still relates to the broadside text.
1b. I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I courted Pretty Polly I've been all around.
The 1b example was from the Coon Creek Girls, 1938. It has the same opening but last line has nothing to do with broadside.
2a. Pretty Polly, pretty Polly would you think it unkind,
Pretty Polly, pretty Polly would you think it unkind,
For me to sit by you and tell you my mind.
My mind is to marry and never to part,
My mind is to marry and never to part,
For the first time is saw you you wounded my heart.
The 2a opening has been incorporated into other waltz time songs, M, has two stanzas, sometimes the second is missing:
2b. Polly, Pretty Polly, would you think it unkind?
Polly, Pretty Polly, would you think it unkind?
For me to sit down beside you and tell you my mind.
[Jim Howard, 1937 KY; it has only the first stanza.]
3a. I courted Pretty Polly, one whole live long night
I courted Pretty Polly, one whole live long night
Left the next morning, before it was light
Again from Jim Howard is 3a, but perhaps most famous by Dock Boggs, 1927[24].
3b. I talked to pretty Polly one whole long night,
I talked to pretty Polly one whole long night,
I left the next morning before daylight.
3b, titled "Pretty Polly," is from Addie Graham, born before 1900 in Kentucky, on her recording, Been A Long Time Traveling.
4a. "O where is Pretty Polly?" "O yonder she stands,
Gold rings upon her fingers, her lily-white hands."
4a, also titled Pretty Polly, was collected in Hindman, KY by 1907 from Senator Hilliard (also Hillard) Smith by Katherine Pettit.
There are over a dozen versions with 4a. as an opening. Sometimes they are combined as Jim Howard's version has three different opening stanzas. 2a. which is found in the hybrid waltz-time songs, M, is simply: he meets her, wants to marry her because she's wounded his heart- then he takes her "over hills and valleys so deep."
One ending, represented by E, which is similar to the once popular House Carpenter ballad in that region, has Willie boarding his ship and the ship sinking. Sometimes he is visited by her bloody ghost (E); and rarely with their baby[25]. Textual elements not present in the "standard text" of the broadsides are rarely found. The "too young to get married" lines are sometimes part of E. A handful of versions from Appalachia have him die "distracted" after he leaves her in a grave.
Whether ballad type-four, the shortened traditional version represents the "Gosport" ur-ballad and was brought to the Virginia Colony before it was revised by British broadside writers around 1720 is unknown--it could also have been a condensed version derived from print that entered tradition. We do know since there are no extant print versions of this ballad type and this ballad type has not been found in Canada or the UK. Aa certainly does not seem to be taken from tradition, but rather is a broadside writer's or printer's elaboration on the ur-ballad or the murder-- possibly stemming from the events of 1726. Ba, is seven stanzas shorter and closer to the fourth ballad-type while Ca has stanzas of the standard traditional text with a different beginning and ending.
* * * *
David Fowler[26] argues that the first Gosport broadside was written around 1726 by a printer[27] from a story about a murder and ghostly visitation witnessed and transmitted by a mariner named Charles Stewart. The chain of events that Fowler says transpired is plausible but unlikely. For example, take the penultimate stanza:
Near a place call'd Southampton in a valley deep
The body was found, while many did weep
At the fall of the damsel and her daughter dear,
In Gosport church they bury'd her there[28].
Fowler suggests that Stewart came back to Gosport and revealed the location of the body since Billings, the murderous ship's carpenter, had died aboard ship. In order for Stewart to reveal the location of the grave of Molly to her parents, Billings would have had to confide in shipmate Stewart that he murdered Molly and told him where he buried her and-- Stewart would have had to known where it was --without going there! In the ballad "he led her through valleys and groves so deep," to a location that even the murderer would have a difficult time remembering. So Stewart would have to returned to land during leave, met Molly's parents and told or led them to where Molly was buried in order for Fowler's hypothesis to be correct. Fowler also suggests Stewart met with printer John Cluer in London[29] in 1726 or 1727 and transmitted the details of the murder to him so the broadside was written based on Stewart's story and printed by 1728, the year Cluer died. Still, Fowler does present enough evidence to suggest the broadside ballad may have been based on the events aboard the Bedford during that time period.
As much as Fowler[30] has tried to prove the historical accuracy of the ballad as if it was based on an actual event, it's possible that the specific details, which include William, Molly, Charles Stuart, Gosport, Plymouth (Portsmouth) and the HMS Bedford, were created by a broadside writer based on another local murder or ballad in that area. It's believable that a ship carpenter could charm and impregnate his lover while ashore and then before he sets sail, murder her because she is pregnant. This murder would, according to tradition, have placed a curse on the vessel and its crew if the murderer went to sea. The appearance of his lover's ghost and his subsequent confession and death are predicable results of his crime. William then dies because he is "raving distracted," a detail from the original broadside that has persisted even in remote areas of the Appalachian Mountains.
* * * *
Cecil Sharp and Olive Campbell collected 42 versions[31] of "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" in the Appalachians between 1916-1918, most of which date back to the 1800s when the informants learned them. In many cases the ballad was passed down, through their families, back to the times their early ancestors settled in the mountains. Although it may be impossible to pinpoint the exact date this ballad came into an area, like Madison County, NC, it may be assumed that the Pretty Polly ballad was brought to the Virginia Colony and was taken by ancestors into the remote mountains, where it remained to be discovered by Sharp between 1916 and 1918. Many of the ballads brought to the Virginia colony were learned before the Revolutionary War and taken into remote regions such as Flag Pond, TN and Madison County, NC before 1800.
The short Appalachian version, L, which is similarly found in 6 stanzas of the broadside is our "traditional ballad-type." Only two texts, Sharp B and an MS fragment, are closely related to the Gosport broadsides. The remainder of the texts (and most other Appalachian texts) when compared to the broadsides A and B show these results:
1. That first stanza of the broadsides is found enough times to assume that it is part of the traditional type. In Appalachia the damsel dwells in London and other locations and her beauty is mentioned and sometimes that her lover was a ship's carpenter.
2. That stanza two is usually present though not necessarily as the second stanza in that place. William wants to marry her and asks her to marry him.
3. That her response, "I'm too young to marry" is present enough to warrant inclusion in the traditional type. Although it is rare, this is found in enough versions to believe it was transmitted from the British Isles and is not a local variance.
4. That subsequent stanzas in the broadsides (4-13 Roxburghe) that include her sexual submission, her pregnancy, and his call to return to the sea are lacking in Appalachia except in very rare cases (his call to sea is found similarly in another ballad, "William and Molly"). It may be assumed that these stanzas being left out may be in part due to taboos of transmission of sexual actions in general.
5. The visitation of Charles Stewart is missing in the standard Appalachian versions (type 4). However, Polly's (Molly's) ghost does sometimes appear at the end and William does die "raving distracted."
6. That additional stanzas constructed in Appalachia about him leaving on a ship were probably derived from the House Carpenter: after the murder William boards a ship which sinks as expected. The boarding of the ship is found in the A and B broadsides, it's the ship sinking and William's going to hell to pay a debt to the devil which are new recreations also similar to the House Carpenter ending.
The preceding variations of the fourth ballad-type, the traditional ballad as found mainly in the southern United States, show its similarities to the broadsides. There are also variations and different stanzas that are not found in the broadsides. M, for example, is the merging of L, the traditional ballad, with other similar ballads in waltz time. These ballads include two or more stanzas of "Pretty Polly" followed by stanzas from "The Cuckoo" or "The Wagoner's Lad."
Besides these hybrid versions are the rare traditional versions from Appalachia which are variants of A and B but are so different they must be considered separate letter versions. These include D, I, J, and K.
D, was collected by Sharp (his B version in EFSSA) from Jeff (Thomas Jefferson) Stockton in Flag Pond, Tennessee on Sept. 4, 1916. Sharp had just moved further in the mountains after a rewarding few weeks in Madison County, NC. Jeff Stockton was born January 12, 1859 to Samuel Stockton (3-18-1828 to 2-9-1894) and Elizabeth Horne Stockton (d. 12-4-1904). Jeff's grandfather Davis Stockton was born in Virginia. It is reasonable to assume that his ballad was brought to the Virginia colony sometime in the 1700s and was taken into the mountains by the early 1800s. Because Stockton's version is unique and has elements of both A and B, it will stand as a separate lettered version.
Ea, "Pretty Polly," was sung by Senator Hilliard (also Hillard) Smith of Kentucky and sent to Kittredge at Harvard by Katherine Pettit an organizer of Hindman Settlement School. It was published by Kittredge in the JAF in 1907 without Smith being named as the informant. Apparently Pettit gave an MS of his version to Olive Dame Campbell in 1910[32]. Smith's version was also collected by Josiah Combs (his C version, no date given but before 1924) who attended Hindman Settlement School when Pettit was there. Sharp collected it (his C version) again from Smith in 1917. This represents the extended Appalachian version. Smith had an alternate ending which may be found in Sharp's MS. Eb, also titled "Pretty Polly," was communicated by Hindman music teacher Catherine Sutherland to Cox on December 20, 1925. Eb is nearly identical to Ea and was published in Traditional Ballads & Folk Songs Mainly from West Virginia in 1939. It reasonable to assume Eb is was Smith's version acquired by Sutherland at Hindman where it was slightly rewritten. Ec and Ed are both old versions that have the "ships sinking" and Polly in a "gore of blood" with "the debt to the Devil" ending. Ee has "ship carpenter" in the first stanza and Polly returns in a dream at the end while Ef has the ship sinking, the gore of blood, debt to the Devil and she returns with their baby in her arms.
* * * *
In the 1850s A parody of The Gosport Tragedy titled, Molly The Betrayed or The Fog Bound Vessel was made from broadside Aa for the comic singer Sam Cowell[33]. According to Slade, "The ballad shops quickly printed up sheets using Cowell’s lyrics, hoping to capitalize on the popularity of his performance, and by 1855 it has some official sheet music too[34]." The broadside was sung in a mock German accent resembling Yiddish, where "w" is pronounced as "v." Here are the first two stanzas:
In a kitchen in Portsmouth, a fair maid did dwell,
For grammar and grace none could her excel,
Young William, he courted her to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship’s carpentier.
Chorus: Singing doodle, doodle chop, chum, chow choral li la.
Now it chanced that von day, ven her vages vos paid,
Young Villiam valked vith her and thus to her said,
“More lovely are you than the ships on the sea”,
Then she hugged him and laughed, and said”Fiddle-de-dee”.
[Chorus]
The parody was collected by Grieg-Duncan and appears as their version B[35]:
1. In a kitchen in Portsmouth a fair damsel did dwell
Who for beauty and grammar none could her excel
She loved a gay feller whose name it was Vill
And to his trade was a ship"s carpenter
sing Dottle dottle dottle chip chip chip
Turaliday
2. He led her o"re hills and o"re valleys so deep
Till at last this poor maiden began for to weep
O Villiam I doubt you've a led me this way
In order my innocent life to betray
With your Dottle dottle dottle chip chip chip
Turaliday
* * * *
Several stanzas of Gosport are shared with the ballad, "William and Polly." Belden titles it "Lisbon" and The Traditional Ballad index titles it, "William and Nancy (I)." The title is "William and Polly" in two of the Hicks family versions[36]. The names, Sweet Willie and Pretty Polly are similar to the traditional Gosport names. Here are two stanzas from the Mellinger Henry version[37]:
3. "Stay you at home, sweet Willie,
Stay you at home," said she,
"Stay you at home, sweet Willie,
And do not go to sea."
4. "Our king wants commanders, love,
And I, for one, must go;
If it was to save my own life,
I dare not answer no." [Mrs. Mary Tucker of Varnell, Georgia, 1929.]
The Gosport Tragedy (Broadside A- Type 1) has:
11) They passed on, till at length we hears,
The king wants sailors! to the sea he repairs,
Which grieved the damsel unto the heart.
To think she so soon with her lover must part.
12) She said, "My dear William e're thou go'st to sea,
Remember the vows that thou madest to me;
But if you forsake me I never shall rest,
Oh! why dost thou leave me with sorrow opprest?"
13) Then with kind embraces to her he did say,
"I'll wed thee, dear Molly, e're I go away;
And if to-morrow to me thou dost come,
A licence I'll buy, and it shall be done."
The Polly's Love broadside (Type 3) has:
2) Now the king wanted seamen to go on the sea,
That caus’d this young damsel to sigh and to say,
O William, O William, don’t you go to sea,
Remember the vow that you made to me.
* * * *
Except for a few ballads based on the broadside "Polly's Love," the Type 3 Ballad, versions of the ballad in the UK have been rare. Besides a fragment from George Dunn, two lines from Grieg Duncan (their version A) and the "Gosport" version sung by Ethel Findlater and Elsie Johnston in Orkney, 1967, only O, a recent Gosport version from Ireland[38], has been found in tradition in the UK. There is also no record of the traditional versions (fourth ballad-type) found mostly in the Appalachian region sung in the UK. Since the ballad had largely died out in England and Scotland by the mid-1800s, it's no wonder that The Gosport Tragedy was not considered by Child for inclusion in his English and Scottish Popular Ballads. Even though Child did not include that ballad, a parallel ballad with a different ending is Child, No. 90, Jellon Grame. Grame murders his pregnant lover in the woods but spares the baby. The baby later grows up to exact revenge upon his father for murdering his mother. In the Gosport Tragedy it's her ghost who exacts revenge on her murderer.
Another ballad, loosely based on Polly's Love, is The Dublin Murder Ballad, my N, which surfaced in the early 1900s in the UK among travellers. It was recorded in the 1950s-- both Ireland and Scotland. Na, the first recording titled, "Miss Brown of Dublin City," was made by the famous Scottish traveller, Jeannie Robertson and was recorded in September of 1953 at the time when Robertson, from Aberdeen, was staying at Alan Lomax's flat in London. According to Steve Gardham[39], "British Isles travellers are particularly noted for stringing together fragments of different ballads into some sort of cohesive narrative. Not all travellers do this and the method is not exclusive to travellers."
Robertson said in 1953[40] that she learned the ballad "over thirty ago" when she was about nine from and old woman in Aberdeen. Since Robertson was born in 1908 that would date the ballad about 1917. If it's assumed that the "old woman" knew the ballad when she was young, it would take the date back to the mid-1800s. The Dublin Murder Ballad has been in circulation in Ireland and three traditional recordings have been made-- the first by Patrick Galvin in 1956. Galvin's last verse is not found in the Scottish versions and the first lines are from "Green Grows The Laurel." A rare Irish version similar to Polly's Love[41] collected in 1953 begins somewhat similarly to "Miss Brown" and also identifies the murdered girl as Miss Brown.
To summarize: Aa, the first ballad type, is a broadside that was first printed between 1720-1750 in London. It is either based on the events of 1726 as postulated by David Fowler or is a broadside writer's recreation of a murder or ur-ballad from that region (since The Bedford and Portsmouth are mentioned. The HMS Bedford was launched in 1698 and based out of Portsmouth fron 171-1740- ref. Fowler). Ab, a copy of Aa was published in Boston between 1776-1805 by the Fleet brothers. Ba, the second ballad type, was printed in the US as early as 1811 and is named The Deming Broadside after Deming's print of c. 1835 in Boston. Ba is a shortened version of A with an additional two new stanzas. The additional stanzas indicate an unknown British tradition or print version of The Gosport Tragedy since parts of the additional stanzas have been collected in Newfoundland as well as Appalachia. Ca, the third ballad type, Polly's Love, is a broadside printed in British Isles in the early 1800s. It entered tradition and has been collected in the British Isles and North America. E and L, the forth ballad type, titled "Pretty Polly" which is a shortened version of A or B, has been found in America and mainly in Appalachia and has similar stanzas (14-20) to those found in A or B. This traditional ballad has remained popular in America and has been recorded many times since the mid-1920s.
The other ballads are derivatives of these four ballad types. M, a hybrid version of the fourth ballad type sung in waltz-time has been mixed with other traditional waltz-time songs. N, loosley based on the third ballad type, was sung by travellers in the UK in the early 1900s.
R. Matteson 2016]
-----------------------------
Footnotes:
1. Deming was not the first publisher of the text called The Deming Broadside, which is available online at the Library of Congress. The American Antiquarian Society houses an earlier version published in Baltimore between 1810-1819.
2. Also spelled as Hillard Smith, he was a senator of Kentucky.
3. Buchan's Gosport Tragedy notes: How many stratagems does the devil invent to decoy and ensnare poor unsuspecting females? And how oft is the tender heart of the modest woman made to shed tears of blood by the savage oppression of cruel and tyranical man Molly, once the beauty of Gosport, was inhumanly butchered for too implicitly placing her affections on one of these ungrateful, and blood-thristy cannibals.— The consequence however was, as is always the case, the murderer met with his due reward.
4. Both Buchan's text version (Ac) and Christie's text version (Ad) are from print. If a traditional text solely of A was in existence, it was never collected and published. Some versions have phrases and lines from A. Charlie Somer's version from County Derry in 1969, N, has been drastically reduced and more resembles B.
5. One chapbook with “The Gosport Tragedy” was printed in Edinburgh (http://digital.nls.uk/chapbooks-printed-in-scotland/pageturner.cfm?id=104184435). Another chapbook version was printed by George Caldwell in 1808. See also: Gosport Tragedy — A Poetical Chap Book.
6. D.C. Fowler, "The Gosport Tragedy: Story of a Ballad", Southern Folklore Quarterly 43 (1979), 157-96.
7. The HMS Bedford was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Woolwich Dockyard on 12 September, 1698. She carried twenty-two 24-pounder guns and four (18-pounder) culverins on the lower deck; twenty-six 12-pounder guns on the upper deck; fourteen (5-pounder) sakers on the quarter-deck and forecastle; and four 3-pounder guns on the poop or roundhouse. On 8 October 1736 Bedford was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt according to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Portsmouth, from where she was relaunched on 9 March 1741. Bedford was hulked in 1767, and served in this capacity until 1787, when she was sold out of the navy.
8. He appears named Stewart (Steward) without a first name in broadside B. Charles Stuart (Captain Charles Stewart) is the central character in Child 250, Henry Martin, a sea ballad. His name may have been transposed from that ballad. On January 27, 1726, the muster book showed that one “Charles Stewart” had joined the crew of the Bedford (Fowler). Stewart remained on board the Bedford for at least two years.
9. John Harrington Cox published the notes in Folk Songs from the South in 1925.
10. Unfortunately moat of the printings listed by Cox are unavailable to be viewed. B, however, has an extended title so I'm guessing that most of these are A.
11. The American Antiquarian Society lists an earlier version of B printed in Baltimore (private printing) before 1811.
12. "The Gosport Tragedy." Sung by Ethel Findlater and Elsie Johnston, Dounby, Orkney, 1967; recorded by Alan Bruford. It's not clear whether this is from a UK source since Ethel Findlater learned the words from a [manuscript] book given to her by Violet Harvey. Findlater learned the tune from her mother-in-law; some extra lines were learned from a Mrs Mongano, now in Australia. The likely source is from print. It's possible B was printed in the UK before 1800 and reprinted in the US in the early 1800s. The change of Portsmouth to Plymouth (possibly representing Plymouth, Massachusetts) would indicate a US origin. I would surmise it to be a revision of Ab (the name Molly of A was changed after the 4th stanza in B) with two additional traditional stanzas from an extant UK traditional version. A copy of any UK broadside of B has not been found. See also The Bramble Briar which was likely based on a missing broadside.
13. A number of traditional ballads have elements of both B and A indicating that A in a shortened form had become traditional.
14. "The Gosport Tragedy" (Bc.) from Brown Collection of NC Folklore; 1952; Versions A (Webb) and B (York). B was learned from A and A was memorized recently from print but clearly was not written down from print.
15. Ca is represented by Harding B 11(824) coupled with The Dear Little Shamrock.
16. 1) Cc. "Pretty Polly" sung John Whittaker in Utah in July, 1870. Hubbard; 2) Ce. "Pretty Polly," sung by Fred Carriere, (1875-1954) of Champion, MI, on October 10, 1938, recorded by Alan Lomax, melody "Sweet Betsy from Pike;" 3) Cg. "Pretty Polly" unnamed informant (St. Shott’s, Trepassey) Newfoundland; 1951. Book of Ballads p. 147 and 4) Ce "Sally Monroe" a hybrid version sung by Mrs. Hayes (Newfoundland) 1929 Greenleaf.
17. From Hubbard, Folk Songs and Ballads from Utah: Cc. "Pretty Polly" sung John Whittaker in Utah in July, 1870.
18. "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" sung by Henry Burstow of Horsham, Sussex; collected by Broadwood 1893 published in 1902.
19. A hybrid is two ballads mixed to form one: "Polly's Love" and "Sally Monroe" as sung by Mrs. Hayes of Newfoundland in 1929, collected by Greenleaf.
20. "Pretty Polly" is a common title used for many songs and ballads, for example the US versions of Child No. 4 Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight are usually titled, "Pretty Polly" which is also the name of her parrot!
21. Taken from Aa beginning with stanza 14 and ending with the first half of stanza 20. Stanza 17 has been left off because it is not found in Fourth Ballad Type. A comparison with B and C should also be made.
22. From AFS 00823 A02 recording; Sept. 1935. "Aunt Molly" Jackson born in Clay County, Kentucky, in 1880, lived in Harlan County; recorded September, 1935 by Alan Lomax in NYC.
23. From Lomax recording 1375 A-B1 "Pretty Polly" as sung by Jim Howard with fiddle in Harlan, Kentucky 1937.
24. Boggs version begins:
"I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in town
I used to be a rambler, I stayed around in the town
I courted Pretty Polly, and her beauty has never been found."
25. Her baby is mention in the 1907 version from Hilliard Smith. It's also found in Mountain Ballads for Social Singing by James Watt Raine (text) and Cecil J Sharp (music); Berea, Kentucky in 1923 from which comes this stanza supplied by Raine:
And there was Petty Polly, all in a gore of blood,
In her lily-white arms was an infant of God.
26. David Fowler makes the argument in "The Gosport Tragedy: Story of a Ballad," Southern Folklore Quarterly 43 (1979), 157-96.
27. Fowler suggests that the printer for the events of 1726 would be John Cluer, who died the next year (or in 1728). Fowler also suggests the possibility that his wife may have published it or another printer from the same office following her. On page 185 he says: Theoretically the date of our broadside could be after the death of John Cluer, because his widow Elizabeth kept the business going and used the same imprint. Moreover when she then married her late husband's foreman Thomas Cobb in 1731, the latter managed the the Bow Church-Yard Printing Office until 1936 when William Dicey took over the business.
28. Taken from Aa. "The Gosport Tragedy: Or, The Perjured Ship-Carpenter" White-letter broadside. "Printed and Sold at the Printing Office in Bow Church-yard, London."
29. Fowler postulates on p. 185; Among the many places in London where John Cluer might have stumbled onto the story of the Bedford's ghost, those that most appeal to me are the Rondys set aside for the purpose of recruiting sailors.
30. The ur-ballad is the original ballad which Fowler, for example, believes is based on a historic event. The broadside, Gosport Tragedy, might represent the capture and reworking of the traditional ballad by a printer or broadside writer hawking his recreations to a printer rather that the ballad being based on an event. In some cases the traditional ballad is changed by the printer. See for example, The Bramble Briar, and the broadside writer's Constant Farmer's Son or the English broadside "Lord Thomas" to which the printer added an additional 4th stanza not found in tradition.
There is little doubt that much of Aa is the work of a broadside writer. The question is: has the broadside been taken taken from the tradition established by the Fourth Ballad Type "Pretty Polly"?
31. Besides the 21 versions published in EFSSA I in 1932 (second edition) titled the generic "Cruel Ship's Carpenter" are a number of ballads in Sharp's MSS and also several in Campbell's. This includes several versions collected by Isabel Rawn in Georgia before 1916 but given to Campbell during the time Sharp was in Appalachia.
32. Pettit's MS is in Sharp's collection online at the Vaughan William Memorial Library. It's unclear if it was given to Campbell but I suspect it was.
33. Slade gives a date of 1850 without corroboration and asserts that Molly the Betrayed "was produced for" Cowell. It has been attributed in print "music and words by W. H. C. West" and has also been printed as a broadside.
34. Slade's date of 1855 seems accurate but I have not found the sheet music dated then. The earliest record I have of the parody is 1856.
35. GreigDuncan Collection, Volume 2, p. 202, "Vill, the Ship's Carpenter."
36. Mrs. Jane Hicks Gentry of Madison County NC, who sang Sharp A is 1916 is the granddaughter of Council Harmon. Mrs. Mary Tucker, of Varnell, Georgia, is Sam Harmon's daughter. Sam is Council Harmon's grandson.
37. "William and Polly" sung by Mary Tucker (Sam Harmon's daughter); collected by Mellinger Henry and published in 1938 in his "Ballads and Folk Songs from the Southern Highlands," p.167.
38. N is "Molly, Lovely Molly" sung by Charlie Somers, the Bog, Bellarena, Co Derry on July 21, 1969. This variant shows that there was, however small, an unknown tradition of this ballad in Ireland.
39. The quote from Steve Gardham is from the Mudcat Disscussion Forum thread on the ballad in July, 2016.
40. From: School of Scottish Studies. Original Tape ID - SA1953.198. Classification - GD201; LP36; R15. Listen: http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/24303/1
41. From the Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, 1956. Sung by Paddy McCluskey, Clough Mills, Co. Antrim on 5th August, 1953. Recorded by Peter Kennedy and Sean O'Boyle.
___________________________________________________
Ballad Texts
Aa. The GOSPORT Tragedy: Or, The Perjured Ship-Carpenter. "Printed and Sold at the Printing Office in Bow Church-yard, London." circa 1750 [The Roxburghe Ballads, Volume 8; 1897]
IN Gosport of late there a damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty did many excel;
A young man did court her to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship-carpenter.
He said, "Oh! dear Molly! if you will agree,
And will consent to marry me;
My love you will ease me of sorrow and care,
If you will but wed a ship-carpenter."
With blushes more charming than roses in June.
She answer'd Sweet William, "To wed I'm too young.
Young men are so fickle I see very plain,
If a maid is not coy they will her disdain."
"They flatter and swear their[her] charms they adore,
When gain'd their[her] consent, they care for no more;
The handsomest creature that ever was born,
When man has enjoy'd, he will hold in scorn."
"My charming Molly what makes you say so?
Thy beauty's the haven to which I would go.
So [if] into that country I chance for to steer
There will [I] cast anchor, and stay with my dear."
"I ne'er shall be cloy'd with the charms of my love,
My love is as true as the turtle-dove;
And all [that] I crave is to wed with my dear,
And when thou art mine no danger I fear."
"The life of a Virgin, sweet William, I prize,
For marriage brings sorrows and troubles likewise;
I am loath to venture, and therefore forbear!
For I will not wed a ship-carpenter."
"For in the time of war to the sea you must go,[1]
And leave wife and children in sorrow and woe?
The seas they are perilous, therefore forbear,
For I will not wed with a ship-carpenter."
But yet all in vain, she his suit did deny,
Though he still did Press her to make her comply;
At length with his cunning he did her betray,
And to lewd desire he led her away.
But when with [that] child this young woman were,
The tydings she instantly sent to her dear;
And by the good Heaven he swore to be true.
Saying, "I will wed no other but you."
They passed on [their time], till at length we[he] hears,
The king wants sailors! to the sea he repairs,
Which grieved the damsel unto the heart.
To think she so soon with her lover must part.
She said, "My dear William e're thou go'st to sea,
Remember the vows that thou madest to me;
But if you forsake me I never shall rest,
Oh! why dost thou leave me with sorrow opprest?"
Then with kind embraces to her he did say,
"I'll wed thee, dear Molly, e're I go away;
And if to-morrow to me thou dost come,
A licence I'll buy, and it shall be done."
So with kind embraces he parted that night,
She wen[t] to meet him in the morning light;
He said, "Dear charmer thou must go with me,
Before we are wedded, a friend to see."
He led her through valleys and groves so deep,
At length this maiden began for to weep;
Saying, "William, I fancy thou leadst me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray."
He said, "That is true, and none you can save,
For I all this night have been digging a grave."
Poor innocent soul! when she heard him say so,
Her eyes like a fountain began for to flow.
"O perjur'd creature! the worst of all men!
Heavens reward thee when I'm dead and gone:
O pity the infant, and spare my[own] life,
Let me go distress'd if I'm not thy wife."
Her hands white as lillies in sorrow she wrung,
Beseeching for mercy, saying, "What have I done
To you my dear William, what makes you severe?
For to murder one that loves you so dear."
[He] said, "Here's no time disputing to stand,"
And instantly taking the knife in his hand;
He pierced her body till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her body did throw.
He cover'd her body, then home he did run,
Leaving none but birds her death to mourn;
On board the Bedford he entered straitway,
Which lay at Portsmouth out-bound for the sea.
For carpenters mate he was enter'd we hear,
Fitted for his voyage away he did steer;
But as in his cabin one night he did lie,
The voice of his sweetheart he heard to cry:
"O perjur'd villain! awake now and hear,
The voice of your love, that lov'd you so dear;
This ship out of Portsmouth never shall go,
Till I am revenged for this overthrow."
She afterward vanished with shrieks and cries,[2]
Flashes of lightning did dart from her eyes;
Which put the ships crew into great fear,
None saw the ghost, but the voice they did hear.
Charles Stuart, a man of courage so bold,
One night was going into the Hold:
A beautiful creature to him did appear,
And she in her arms had a daughter most fair.
The charms of this so glorious a face,
Being merry in drink, he goes to embrace:
But to his surprise it vanish'd away,
So he went to the captain without more delay.
And told him the story, which when he did hear,
The captain said, "Some of my men I do fear
Have done some murder, and if it be so,
Our ship in great danger to the sea must go."
One at a time then his merry men all,
Into his cabin he did strait call,
And said, "My lads the news I do hear
Doth much surprise me with sorrow and fear."
"This ghost which appear'd in the dead of the night
Which all my seaman so sadly did fright;
I fear has been wrong'd by some of my crew,
And therefore the person I fain would know."
Then William affrighted did tremble with fear
And began by the powers above to swear;
He nothing at all of the matter did know,
But as from the captain he went to go.
Unto his surprize his true love did see,
With that he immediately fell on his knee:
And said, "Here's my true love! where shall I run?
O save me, or else I am surely undone."
Now he the murder confessed out of hand,
And said, "Before me my Molly doth stand,
Sweet injur'd ghost thy pardon I crave,
And soon I will seek thee in the silent grave."
No one but this wretch did see this sad sight,
Then raving distracted he dy'd in the night:
As soon as her parents these tydings did hear
They sought for the body of their daughter dear.
Near a place call'd Southampton in a valley deep
The body was found, while many did weep
At the fall of the damsel and her daughter dear,
In Gosport church they bury'd her there.
"I hope that this may be a warning to all,
Young men how innocent maids they enthral:
Young men be constant and true to your love,
Then a blessing indeed will attend you above."
1. This stanza missing from "Gleanings"
2. The first and second line of the broadside have been switched here.
Ab. The Gosport Tragedy; braodisde from 1776; from Early American Imprints, Supplements from the American Antiquarian Society. [I've transcribed the text of the Fleet broadside dated 1776-1805. Other than the quotation marks for dialogue (which I added from Roxburghe) it is exactly as printed (I've added the text from the damaged areas). There are some very minor differences between this broadside and the 1750 broadside published by Roxburghe- none worth mentioning.]
Gosport Tragedy
Or The
Perjured Ship-Carpenter
Tune: Peggy's Gone over Sea
IN Gosport of late there a damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty did many excel;
A young man did court her to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship-carpenter.
He said, "Oh! dear Molly, if you will agree,
And will consent to marry me;
My love you will ease me of sorrow and care,
If you will but wed a ship-carpenter."
With blushes more charming than roses in June.
She answer'd Sweet William, "To wed I'm too young.
Young men are so fickle I see very plain,
If a maid is not coy they will her disdain."
"They flatter and swear their charms they adore,
When gain'd their consent, they care for no more;
The handsomest creature that ever was born,
When man has enjoy'd, he will hold in scorn."
"My charming Molly what makes you say so?
Thy beauty's the heaven to which I would go.
So into that country I chance for to steer
I there will cast anchor, and stay with my dear."
"I ne'er shall be cloy'd with the charms of my love,
My love is as true as the turtle-dove;
And all [that] I crave is to wed with my dear,
And when thou art mine no danger I fear."
"The life of a virgin, sweet William, I prize,
For marriage brings sorrows and troubles likewise;
I am loath to venture, and therefore forbear,
For I will not wed a ship-carpenter."
"For in the time of war to the sea you must go,
And leave wife and children in sorrow and woe.
The seas they are perilous, therefore forbear,
For I will not wed with a ship-carpenter."
But yet all in vain, she his suit did deny,
Though he still did press her to make her comply;
At length with his cunning he did her betray,
And to lewd desire he led her away.
But when with child this young woman were,
The tidings she instantly sent to her dear;
And by the good heaven he swore to be true,
Saying, "I will wed no other but you."
They passed on [their time], till at length we[he] hears,
The king wants sailors to the sea he repairs,
Which grieved the damsel unto the heart,
To think she so soon with her lover must part.
She said, "My dear William e'er thou go'st to sea,
Remember the vows that thou madest to me;
But if you forsake me I never shall rest,
Oh! why dost thou leave me with sorrow opprest?"
Then with kind embraces to her he did say,
"I'll wed thee, dear Molly, e'er I go away;
And if to-morrow to me thou dost come,
A licence I'll buy, and it shall be done."
So with kind embraces he parted that night,
She wen[t] to meet him in the morning light;
He said, "Dear charmer thou must go with me,
Before we are wedded, a friend to see."
He led her through valleys and groves so deep,
At length this maiden began for to weep;
Saying, "William, I fancy thou leadst me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray."
He said, "That is true, and none you can save,
For I all this night have been digging a grave;"
Poor innocent soul, when she heard him say so,
Her eyes like a fountain began for to flow.
"O perjur'd creature! the worst of all men,
Heaven reward thee when I'm dead and gone:
O pity the infant, and spare my life,
Let me go distress'd if I'm not thy wife."
Her hands white as lillies in sorrow she wrung,
Beseeching for mercy, saying, "What have I done
To you my dear William, what makes you severe,
For to murder one that loves you so dear?"
He said, "Here's no time disputing to stand,"
And instantly taking the knife in his hand;
He pierced her body till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her body did throw.
He cover'd her body, then home he did run,
Leaving none but birds her death to mourn;
On board the Bedford he enter'd straitway,
Which lay at Portsmouth outward bound for the sea.
For carpenter's mate he was enter'd we hear,
Fitted for his voyage away he did steer;
But as in his cabin one night he did lie,
The voice of his sweetheart he heard to cry.
"O perjur'd villain, awake now and hear,
The voice of your love, that lov'd you so dear;
This ship out of Portsmouth never shall go,
Till I am revenged for this overthrow."
She afterward vanished with shrieks and cries,
Flashes of lightning did part from her eyes;
Which put the ships crew into great fear,
None saw the ghost, but the voice they did hear.
Charles Stuart, a man of courage so bold,
One night was going into the hold,
A beautiful creature to him did appear,
And she had in her arms a daughter most fair.
The charms of this so glorious a face,
Being merry in drink, he goes to embrace:
But to his surprise it vanish'd away,
So he went to the captain without more delay,
And told him the story, which when he did hear,
The captain said, "Some of my men I do fear
Have done some murder, and if it be so,
Our ship in great danger to the sea must go."
One at a time then his merry men all,
Into his cabin he straitway did call;
And said, "My lads the news I do hear
Doth much surprise me with sorrow and fear."
"This ghost which appear'd in the dead of the night
Which all my seaman so sadly did fright;
I fear has been wrong'd by some of my crew,
And therefore the person I fain would know."
Then William affrighted did tremble with fear
And began by the powers above to swear;
He nothing at all of the matter did know,
And unto the captain he went to go.
Unto his surprize his truelove he sees,
With that he immediately fell on his knees:
And said, "Here's my true love! where shall I run?
O save me, or else I am surely undone."
Now he the murder confessed out of hand,
And said, "Before me my Molly doth stand,
Sweet injur'd ghost thy pardon I crave,
And soon I will seek thee in the silent grave."
No one but this wretch did see this sad sight,
Then raving distracted he dy'd in the night:
As soon as her parents these tidings did hear
They sought for the body of their daughter dear.
Near a place call'd Southampton in a valley deep,
The body was found, while many did weep
At the fall of the damsel and her daughter dear,
In Gosport church they bury'd her there.
"I hope that this may be a warning to all,
Young men how innocent maids they enthral:
Young men be constant and true to your love,
Then a blessing indeed will attend you above."
FINIS
Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston
---------------------
Ac. From: Gleanings of Scotch, English, and Irish, scarce old ballads, etc." edited by Peter Buchan, 1825. [Missing Roxburghe broadside's 7th stanza beginning, "For in the time of war. . ."
The Gosport Tragedy.
In Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty did many excel,
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship-carpenter.
He said, my dear Molly, if you will agree,
And now will consent love, for to marry me,
Your love it will ease me of sorrow and care,
If you will but marry a ship-carpenter.
With blushes more charming than roses in June,
She answered sweet William, to wed I'm too young,
For young men are fickle I see very plain.
If a maid she is kind they'll her quickly disdain.
They'll flatter her how her charms they adore,
If they gain her consent they'll care for us no more,
The most beautiful woman that ever was born,
If a man has enjoyed her—her beauty he'll scorn.
My charming sweet Molly why do you say so?
Thy beauty's the haven to which I must go,
And if in that channel I chance far[for] to stear,
I there will cast anchor, and stay with my dear.
I ne'er will be cloy'd with the charms of my love,
My heart is as true as the sweet turtle dove,
And all that I crave is to marry my dear,
And when you're my own no danger I'll fear.
The life of a virgin, sweet William, I prize,
For marriage brings sorrow and trouble likewise,
I'm loth [loath] for to venture and therefore forbear,
For I will not marry a ship-carpenter.
But yet all in vain he his suit did deny,
For still unto love he's forc'd her to comply,
At length with his cunning he did her betray,
Unto lewd desires he led her astray.
But when with child this young damsel did prove,
The tidings directly she sent to her love,
And by the heavens he swore to be true,
Saying I'll marry none other but you.
This past on a while, at length we do hear,
The king wanted sailors, to the sea he must steer,
Which griev'd the young damsel indeed to the heart,
To think with sweet William so soon for to part.
She said, my dear William, e'er you go to sea,
Remember the vows which you made unto me,
And if you leave me, I ne'er shall have rest,
And why will you leave me with sorrow opprest?
The kindest expressions to her he did say,
I'll marry my Molly e'er I go away.
And if that to me to-morrow you'll come,
The priest shall be brought love, and all shall be done.
With kindest embraces they parted that night,
She went for to meet him next morning at light,
He said, my dear charmer, you must go with me,
Before we are married, a friend for to see.
He led her thro' groves and vallies so deep,
At length this fair creature began for to weep,
Saying, William, I fancy you lead me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
He said that is true, and none can you save,
For I all this night have been digging your grave,
Poor harmless creature when she heard him say so,
Her eyes like a fountain began for to flow.
A grave and a spade standing by she did see,
And said, must that be a bridal-bed to me?
O perjured creature, the worst of all men,
Heaven will reward you when I'm dead and gone.
O pity my infant, and spare my sweet life,
Let me go distressed if I'm not your wife;
O take not my life, lest my soul you betray,
Must I in my bloom be thus hurried away?
Her hands white as lilies, in sorrow she wrung,
Intreatlng for mercy, saying what have I done,
To you my dear William, what makes you severe,
To murder your true love that loves you so dear?
He said there's no time for disputing to stand,
And instantly taking the knife in his hand,
He pierced her heart while the blood it did flow,
And into the grave the fair body did throw.
He cover'd the body and home he did come,
Leaving none but the birds her death to bemoan,
On board of the Bedford he enter'd straightway,
Which lay at Portsmouth, and bound for the sea.
For carpenter's mate he was enter'd we hear,
Fit for the voyage away there to stear.
But as in the cabin one night he did lie,
The voice of his true love he heard for to cry,—
O perjured William, awake now and hear,
The words of your true love who lov'd you so dear,
The ship out of Portsmouth it never shall go,
Till I am revenged of my sad overthrow.
This spoken, she vanish'd with shrieks and cries,
The flashes of lightning did dart from her eyes,
Which put the ship's crew in a terrible fear,
Tho' none saw the ghost, the voice they did hear.
Charles Stewart, a man of courage so bold,
One night as he was going down to the hold,
A beautiful creature to him did appear,
And she in her arms had a baby so fair.
Being merry with, drink, he goes to embrace
The charms of this, so lovely a face;
But to his surprise she vanis'd away,
He went to the captain without more delay:
He told him the story, which when he did hear,
He said, now some of my men I do fear
Has done some murder, and if it be so.
Our ship's in great danger, if to sea she does go.
Then on a time his merry men all,
Into the great cabin to him he did.call,
And said, my brave sailors, these news that I hear,
Do really surprise me with sorrow and fear.
The ghost which appears to my men in the night,
And all my brave sailors does sorely affrigt,
I fear has been wronged by some of our crew,
And therefore the person I fain would know.
Then William astonis'd did tremble and fear,
And began by the Powers above for to swear,
He nothing at all of the matter did know,
But as from the captain away, he did go,
Unto his surprise his true love did see,
With that he immediately fell on his knee,
Saving, here is my true love, O where shall I run?
O save me, or else my poor soul is undone.
The murder he did confess out of hand,
Saying here before me my Molly doth stand;
Poor injured ghost thy pardon I crave,
And soon shall follow thee down to the grave.
There's none but the wretch did behold this sad sight
Then raving distracted, he died in the night:
But when that her parents those tidings did hear,
They sought tor the body of their daughter so dear.
Near a place in Southampton, in a valley so deep,
The body was found, while many did weep,
At the fate of the damsel and baby so fair,
In Gosport Church-yard, they bury'd her there.
I hope this will be a warning to all
Young men, who innocent maids do enthral;
You young men be constant and true to your love,
And blessings will 'tend you, be sure, from above.
Ad. "The Gosport Tragedy" from William Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, Vol. 2, 1881 [text from Ac (Buchan, see above).]
_________________________________
Ba. Deming Broadside; c. 1835 Boston, MA.
The Gosport Tragedy,
Shewing how a young damsel was seduced by a ship-carpenter, who led her into a lonesome wood, and there destroyed her—how her ghost haunted him at sea, and he died distracted.
IN Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty few did her excel;
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship carpenter.
He said, dearest Molly, if you will agree,
And give your consent dear for to marry me,
Your love it can cure me of sorrow and care,
Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter.
With blushes as charming as roses in June,
She answered, dear William to wed I'm too young
For young men are fickle, I see very plain,
If a maiden is kind they are quickly disdain.
My charming sweet Molly how can you say so?
Thy beauty's the heaven to which I would go;
If there I find channel when I chance for to steer,
I then will cast anchor and stay with my dear.
I ne'er will be cloyd with the charms of my love,
My heart is as true as the sweet turtle dove,
And what I now crave is to wed with my dear,
For when we are married no danger I'll fear.
The state of a virgin sweet William I prize,
For marriage brings sorrow and trouble likewise;
I'm afraid for to venture, therefore forbear,
I never will marry with a ship carpenter,
But yet 'twas in vain that she strove to deny,
For he by his cunning soon made her comply;
And by base deception he did her betray,
In sin's hellish paths he led her astray.
But when this young damsel with child she did prove,
She quick sent the tidings to her faithless love;
Who swore by the heavens that he would prove true,
And said I will marry no damsel but you.
Things pass'd on a while, but at length we do hear,
His ship must be sailing, for sea he must steer,
Which griev'd this poor damsel, wounded her heart
To think with her lover she so sudden must part.
Cry'd she, dearest William, ere you go to sea,
Remember the vows you have made unto me,
If at home you don't tarry I never can rest,
Then how can you leave me with sorrow oppress'd?
With tender expressions to her he did say,
I'll marry my Mary ere I go to sea;
And if that to morrow my love will ride down,
The ring I can buy our fond union to crown.
With tender embraces they parted the night,
And promised to meet the next morning by light;
When William said—- Mary you must go with me,
Before we are maried, our friends for to see.
He led her through groves and vallies so deep,
At length the young damsel began for to weep,
Crying, William I fear you will lead me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
He said you've guess'd right all earth cant you save
For the whole of last night I've been digging your grave
When poor ruin'd Mary did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.
A grave with a spade lying near she did see,
Which caused her to sigh and to weep bitterly,
O! perjury William, the worst of mankind,
Is this the bride's bed, I expected to find?
O! pity my infant and spare my poor life,
Let me live full of shame if I can't be your wife,
O! take not my life least my soul you betray,
And you to perdition be hurried away.
Her hands, white as lillies, in sorrow she wrung,
Imploring for mercy, crying, what have I done,
To you dearest William, so comely and fair,
Will you murder your true love, that lov'd you so dear
He said this is no time disputing to stand,
Then instantly taking a knife in his hand,
He pierc'd her fair breast, whence the blood it did flew
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
He cover'd the body and quick hastend home,
Leaving none but the small birds her state to bemoan,
On board ship he enter'd without more delay,
And set sail from Plymouth to plough the salt sea.
A young man nam'd Stewart, of courage most bold,
One night happen'd late to go into the hold,
Where a beautiful damsel to him did appear,
And she in her arms, held an infant most fair.
Being merry with liquor he went to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face;
When to his amazement she vanished away,
Which he told the captain without more delay.
The captain soon summoned the jovial ship's crew,
And said, my brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murdered some damsel ere you came away,
Whose injured ghost haunts you now on the sea.
Whoever you be, if the truth you deny,[2]
When found out, you'll be hung at the yard arm so high
But he who confesses, his life we'll not take,
But leave him upon the first island we make.
Then William immediately fell on his knees,
The blood in his veins quick with horror did freeze;
He cried, cruel murder! oh! what have I done?
God help me, I feat my poor soul is undone!
Poor injured ghost your full pardon I crave,
For soon I must follow you down to the grave.
None else but this poor wretch beheld this sad sight,
And raving distracted, he died the same night.
Now when her sad parents these tidings did hear,
They search'd for the body of their daughter so dear,
Near the town of Southampton, in valley most deep,
The body was found, which caused many to weep.
In Gosport's green church yard her ashes now lie,
And we hope that her soul is with God in the skies;
Then let this sad tale be a warning to all,
Who dare a poor innocent maid to enthral!
AN Assortment of SONGS, second to none in the City, may be found at L. DEMING'S, corner of Merchants Row and Market Square.
Sold Wholesale and Retail by Leonard Deming, No. 1, Market Square, corner of Merchant's Row, Boston.
-------------------------
Bb. "The Gosport Tragedy" from Forget-Me not Songster; New York Nafis & Cornish c. 1844
THE GOSPORT TRAGEDY.
In Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty, few did her excel;
A young man did court her for to be his dear
And he by his trade was a ship carpenter.
He said dearest Molly, if you will agree,
And give your consent dear for to marry me,
Your love it can cure me of sorrow and care,
Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter.
With blushes as charming as roses in June,
She answered dear William to wed I am too young;
For young men are fickle, I see very plain,
If a maiden is kind, her, they quickly disdain.
My charming sweet Molly, how can you say so
Thy beauty's the haven to which I would go,
If there I find channel, when I chance for to steer,
I then will cast anchor, and stay with my dear.
I ne'er will be cloy'd with the charms of my loin
My heart is as true as the sweet turtle-dove;
And what I now crave is to wed with my dear
For when we are married no danger I'll fear
The state of a virgin, now William I prize,
For marriage brings trouble and sorrow like wise,
I'm afraid for to venture, therefore forbear,
I will never marry with a ship carpenter.
But yet was in vain that she strove to deny,
For he by his cunning, soon made her comply,
And by base deception, he did her betray,
In sin's hellish paths he led her astray.
But when this young damsel with child she did prove,
She quick sent the tidings to her faithless love
Who swore by the heavens that ho would prove true,
And said I will marry no damsel but you.
Things pass'd on a while, at length we do hear,
His ship must be sailing, for sea he must steer;
Which griev'd this poor damsel and wounded her heart,
To think with her love she so sudden must part.
Cried she, dearest William, ere you go to sea
Remember the vows you have made unto me;
If at home you don't tarry, I never can rest,
Oh! how can you leave me with sorrow oppres'd.
With tender expressions to her he did say,
I'll marry my Mary ere I go to sea;
And if that to-morrow my love will ride down
The ring I can buy, our fond union to crown
With tender embraces, they parted that night,
And promised to meet the next morning at light
William said — Mary, you must go with me,
Before wo are married, our friends for to see.
He led her through groves and valleys so deep
At length this young damsel began for to weep
Crying William, I fear you will lead me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
He said you've guess'd right, all earth can't you save,
For the whole of last night, I've been digging your grave!
When poor ruined Mary did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow
A grave with a spade lying near she did see,
Which caused her to sigh and weep bitterly;
Oh! perjured William, the worst of mankind,
Is this the bride's bed I expected to find.
Oh, pity my infant and spare my poor life,
Let me live full of shame if I can't be your wife,
Oh! take not my life, lest my soul you betray,
And you to perdition be hurried away.
Her hands white as lilies, in sorrow she wrung,
Imploring for mercy, crying what have I done;
To you dearest William, so comely and fair,
Will you murder your true-love that loved you so dear?
He said, this is no time disputing to stand,
Then instantly taking a knife in his hand--
He pierced her fair breast, whence the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
He cover'd the body, and quick hastened home-
Leaving none but the small birds her fate to bemoan:
On board ship he entered without more delay,
And set sail for Plymouth, to plow the salt sea.
A young man named Stewart, of courage most bold,
One night happened late to go into the hold;
Where a beautiful damsel to him did appear,
And she in her arms held an infant most dear.
Being merry with liquor, he went to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face;
When to his amazement, she vanished away,
Which he told to the captain without more delay.
The captain soon summon'd the jovial ship's crew,
And said, my brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murder'd some damsel ere you came away
Whose injur'd ghost now haunts you on the sea.
Whoever you be, if the truth you deny,
When found out, you'll be hung on the yard be high:
But he who confesses, his life we'll not take,
But leave him on the first island we make.
Then William immediately fell on his knees,
The blood in his veins quick with horrow did freeze;
He cried, cruel murder, oh ! what have I done
God help me, I fear my poor soul is undone.
Poor injured ghost! your full pardon I crave,
For soon I must follow you down to the grave,
None else but this poor wretch beheld this sad sight,
And raving distracted he died the same night.
Now then her sad parents these tidings did hear.
They search'd for the body of their dau'ter dear;
Near the town of Southampton, in a valley deep,
The body was found, which caus'd many to weep.
In Gosport'a green church-yard, her ashes now lies,
And we hope her soul is with God in the skies :
Then let this sad tale be a warning to all,
Who dare a young innocent maid to enthral.
Bc1. "The Gosport Tragedy" Brown Collection of NC Folklore; 1952; version A. Contributed by Miss Pearl Webb of Pineda, Avery county, in 1921 or 1922.
1. In Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell;
For wit and for beauty few did her excel.
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship carpenter.
2 He said, 'Dearest Mary, if you will agree
And give your consent for to marry me,
Your love it can cure one of sorrow and care.
Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter.'
3 With blushes as charming as roses in June,
She answered, 'Sweet William, to wed I'm too young;
For young men are fickle, I see very plain,
If a maiden is kind they soon her disdain.'
4 'Why, charming sweet Mary, how can you say so?
Thy beauty, the heavens to which I would go,
If there I find channel when I chance for to steer
I then will cast anchor and stay with my dear.
5 'I never will be cloyed[1] with the charms of my love;
My heart is as true as the sweet turtle dove,
And what I now crave is to wed with my dear,
For when we are married no danger I'll fear,'
6 'The state of a virgin, sweet William, I prize,
For marriage brings trouble and sorrow likewise.
I'm afraid for to venture for fear,[2]
I will never wed with a ship carpenter.'
7 But yet it was in vain she strove to deny,
For he by his cunning soon made her comply;
And by base deception he did her betray,
In sin's hellish paths he did her betray.
8 Then when this young damsel with child did prove
She quickly sent the tidings to her faithful love,
Who swore by the heavens he would prove true
And said, 'I'll marry no damsel but you.'
9 Things passed on a while. At length we did[3] hear
His ship must be sailing, for sea he must steer;
Which grieved this poor damsel and wounded her heart
To think with her true love she so suddenly must part.
10 Cried she, 'Dearest William, ere you go to sea
Remember the vows you've made unto me.
If at home you don't tarry I never can rest,
How can you then leave me with sorrow distressed?'
11. With tender embraces they parted that night
And promised to meet the next morning at light;
When William said, 'Mary, you must go with me.
Before we are married, our friends for to see.'
12. Then he led her through groves and valleys so deep.
At length this young damsel began for to weep,
Saying, 'William, I fear you have led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray.'
13. Said he, 'You have guessed right, and earth can't you save,
For the whole of last night I've been digging your grave.'
When poor ruined Mary did hear him say so
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.[5]
14 A grave with a spade lying near did she see,
Which caused this young damsel to weep bitterly.
'Oh. perjurer William, the worst of mankind,
Is this the bride's bed I expected to find?'
15 Her hands white as lilies in sorrow she wrung,
Imploring for mercy, cries 'What have I done
To you, dearest William so comely and fair?
Will you murder your true love who loves you so dear?'
16 Said he, 'There's no time disputing to stand.'
Then instantly taking a knife in his hand
He pierced her fair breast when[6] the blood it did flow
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
17 He covered the grave and quick hastened home.
Leaving none but small birds her sad fate to bemoan.
On board ship he entered without more delay
And set sail from Plymouth to plow the salt sea.
18 A young man, a steward, of courage most bold,
One night happened late to go into the hold,
When a beautiful damsel to him did appear
And in her arms she held an infant most fair.
19 Being wary, with quickness he went to embrace.
Transplanted with joy at beholding her face ;
But when to his amazement she banished away,
Which he told the captain without more delay.[6]
20 The captain soon summoned the jovial ship crew
And said: 'My brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murdered some damsel ere he came away.
Whose injured ghost now haunts you on the sea.
21 'Whoever you be, if the truth you deny.
When found out you'll be hung on the gallows so high;
But he who confesses his life we'll not take
But leave him upon the first island we make.'
22 Then William entreatingly fell on his knees,
The blood in his veins with horror did freeze;
He cried, cried 'Murder! What have I done?[7]
God help me, I pray ; my poor soul is undone.
23 'Poor injured ghost, thy full pardon I crave,
For soon I must follow you down to the grave.'
None else but this wretch beheld that sad sight,
And raving distracted he died that same night.
24 Then when her sad parents these tidings did hear
They sent out to search for their daughter so dear.
Near the town of Southampton in a valley most deep
Her body was found, which caused many to weep.
25 In Gosport's Green her body now lies,
And we hope that soul is with God in the skies.
Then let this sad tale be a warning to all
Who would dare a poor innocent maid to enthrall.
Footnotes for Bc1:
[1] The manuscript has here "coyed," as does also our B text in the same place. But it seems clear that "cloyed" is meant.
[2] The B text has "therefore for fear," improving the sense and the versification and probably representing the original print. [The print text is: therefore forbear,]
[3] B has here "do," which seems better.
[4] Here the A text is better than the B, which runs:
Said he, 'You have guessed right.
For the whole of last night
I've spent digging your grave.'
When poor innocent Mary did hear him say so
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.
[5] B has the same reading. I do not know what the reading should be. [then then blood]
[6] B corrects at least one of the errors in this stanza, perhaps two, but leaves it still unconstruable:
Being Mary, with liking he went to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face,
But when to his amazement she banished away,
Which he told the captain without more delay.
[print: Being merry with liquor, he went to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face;
When to his amazement, she vanished away,
Which he told to the captain without more delay.]
[7] B improves this a little:
He cried, 'Cruel maiden, what have I done?'
[print: He cried, cruel murder, oh ! what have I done
God help me, I fear my poor soul is undone.]
Bc2. "The Gosport Tragedy" Brown Collection of NC Folklore; 1952; version B; collected from James York of Olin, Iredell county, NC in August 1939 derived from Brown A.
1. In Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell;
For wit and for beauty few did her excel.
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship carpenter.
2 He said, 'Dearest Mary, if you will agree
And give your consent for to marry me,
Your love it can cure one of sorrow and care.
Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter.'
3 With blushes as charming as roses in June,
She answered, 'Sweet William, to wed I'm too young;
For young men are fickle, I see very plain,
If a maiden is kind they soon her disdain.'
4 'Why, charming sweet Mary, how can you say so?
Thy beauty, the heavens to which I would go,
If there I find channel when I chance for to steer
I then will cast anchor and stay with my dear.
5 'I never will be cloyed[1] with the charms of my love;
My heart is as true as the sweet turtle dove,
And what I now crave is to wed with my dear,
For when we are married no danger I'll fear,'
6 'The state of a virgin, sweet William, I prize,
For marriage brings trouble and sorrow likewise.
I'm afraid for to venture therefore for fear,[2]
I will never wed with a ship carpenter.'
7 But yet it was in vain she strove to deny,
For he by his cunning soon made her comply;
And by base deception he did her betray,
In sin's hellish paths he did her betray.
8 Then when this young damsel with child did prove
She quickly sent the tidings to her faithful love,
Who swore by the heavens he would prove true
And said, 'I'll marry no damsel but you.'
9 Things passed on a while. At length we do[3] hear
His ship must be sailing, for sea he must steer;
Which grieved this poor damsel and wounded her heart
To think with her true love she so suddenly must part.
10 Cried she, 'Dearest William, ere you go to sea
Remember the vows you've made unto me.
If at home you don't tarry I never can rest,
How can you then leave me with sorrow distressed?'
11. With tender embraces they parted that night
And promised to meet the next morning at light;
When William said, 'Mary, you must go with me.
Before we are married, our friends for to see.'
12. Then he led her through groves and valleys so deep,
At length this young damsel began for to weep,
Saying, 'William, I fear you have led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray.'
13. Said he, 'You have guessed right.[4]
For the whole of last night
I've spent digging your grave.'
When poor innocent Mary did hear him say so
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.[5]
14 A grave with a spade lying near did she see,
Which caused this young damsel to weep bitterly.
'Oh. perjurer William, the worst of mankind,
Is this the bride's bed I expected to find?'
15 Her hands white as lilies in sorrow she wrung,
Imploring for mercy, cries 'What have I done
To you, dearest William so comely and fair?
Will you murder your true love who loves you so dear?'
16 Said he, 'There's no time disputing to stand.'
Then instantly taking a knife in his hand
He pierced her fair breast when the blood it did flow
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
17 He covered the grave and quick hastened home.
Leaving none but small birds her sad fate to bemoan.
On board ship he entered without more delay
And set sail from Plymouth to plow the salt sea.
18 A young man, a steward, of courage most bold,
One night happened late to go into the hold,
When a beautiful damsel to him did appear
And in her arms she held an infant most fair.
19 Being[6] Mary, with liking he went to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face,
But when to his amazement she banished away,
Which he told the captain without more delay.[7]
20 The captain soon summoned the jovial ship crew
And said: 'My brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murdered some damsel ere he came away.
Whose injured ghost now haunts you on the sea.
21 'Whoever you be, if the truth you deny.
When found out you'll be hung on the gallows so high;
But he who confesses his life we'll not take
But leave him upon the first island we make.'
22 Then William entreatingly fell on his knees,
The blood in his veins with horror did freeze;
He cried, 'Cruel maiden, what have I done?'[8]
God help me, I pray ; my poor soul is undone.
23 'Poor injured ghost, thy full pardon I crave,
For soon I must follow you down to the grave.'
None else but this wretch beheld that sad sight,
And raving distracted he died that same night.
24 Then when her sad parents these tidings did hear
They sent out to search for their daughter so dear.
Near the town of Southampton in a valley most deep
Her body was found, which caused many to weep.
25 In Gosport's Green her body now lies,
And we hope that soul is with God in the skies.
Then let this sad tale be a warning to all
Who would dare a poor innocent maid to enthrall.
Footnotes;
[1] The manuscript has here "coyed," as does also our B text in the same place. But it seems clear that "cloyed" is meant.
[2] The B text has "therefore for fear," improving the sense and the versification and probably representing the original print. [print: therefore forbear, ]
[3] A has here "did," [print text agrees with York]
[4] See also A text. [print: He said you've guess'd right all earth can't you save
For the whole of last night I've been digging your grave,
When poor ruined Mary did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow]
[5] A has the same reading. I do not know what the reading should be. [then then blood] (see print above for 4)
[6] [Print: Being merry with liquor, he went to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face; ]
[7] see A
[8] [print: He cried, cruel murder, oh ! what have I done
God help me, I fear my poor soul is undone.]
Bd. "The Gosport Tragedy" A family version from the 1800s as sung by Carrie Grover of Gorham, Maine. "A Heritage of Songs" 1973.
In Gosport of late, a young damsel did dwell
For wit and for beauty, few could her excel
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he by his trade was a ship's carpenter.
He said, "Dearest Mary, if you will agree,
And give your consent dear for to marry me;
Your love, dear, can cure me of sorrow and care,
Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter."
With blushes as charming as roses in bloom,
She said, "Dearest William, to wed I'm too young;
For young men are fickle, I see very plain;
If a maid is kind, her they quickly disdain."
"My charming Mary, how can you say so?
Your beauty is the haven to which I would go,
And if I find channel when I chance for to steer,
I there will cast anchor and stay with my dear."
It was all in vain that she strove to deny,
For he, by his cunning, soon made her comply;
And by his base deception he did her betray,
And in sin's hellish path he did lead her astray.
Now when this[1] young damsel with child she did prove,
She soon sent the tidings to her faithless love,
He swore by the heavens that he would prove true,
And said "I will marry no damsel but you."
At length these sad tidings she came for to hear,
His ship is a-sailing, for sea he must steer,
Which pained this poor damsel and wounded her heart
To think with her true love so soon she must part.
She said, "Dearest Willie 'ere you go to sea,
Remember the vows you have made unto me,
If you go and leave me, I never can find rest,
Oh, how can you leave me with sorrow oppressed?"
With tender embraces he to her did say,
"I'll marry my true love 'ere I go to sea,
And on the morrow my love I can ride down,
The ring I can buy our fond union to crown."
With tender embraces they parted the night,
And promised to meet the next morning at light;
William said, "Dearest Mary you must now go with me,
Before we are married, our friends for to see.
He led her o'er hills and through hollows so deep,
Till at length this fair damsel began for to weep;
"Oh Willie, I fear you have led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray."
He said, "You've guessed right, for no power can you save,
For 'twas only last night I was digging your grave."
When poor wretched Mary did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.
Then down on her knees Mary to him did say,
"Oh take not my life lest my soul you betray.
Oh pity my infant, and spare my poor life;
Let me live full of shame if I can't be your wife."
"Oh there is no time thus disputing to stand,"
And taking his sharp cruel knife in his hand,
He pierced her fair breast whence the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
He covered her body and quick hastened home,
And left nothing but the small birds her fate for to mourn.
He returned to the ship without any delay,
And set sail for Plymouth to plow the salt sea.
One night to the captain this fair maid did appear
And she in her arms held an infant most dear.
"Oh help me, oh help me," she to him did say.
Then to his amazement she vanished away.
The captain then summoned his jovial ship's crew
And said, "My brave fellows, I fear some of you
Have murdered some damsel ere you came away
Whose injured ghost haunts you all on the salt sea."
Then poor, frightened Willie he fell on his knees
The blood in his veins seemed with horror to freeze.
It's "Oh cruel monster, and what have I done?
God help me, I fear my poor soul is undone.
Oh poor, injured Mary, your forgiveness I crave,
For soon must I follow you down to the grave."
No one but this poor wretch beheld the sad sight,
And, raving distracted, he died the next night.
-------------------------
Be. "The Ship's Carpenter" sung by Mrs Charles Huntoon, St. Louis, Mo., May 2, 1934. Randolph C.
In London a fair maid did dwell,
Her wealth and her beauty no one could compare,
A young man courted her for his lawful wedded wife,
He was by trade but a ship's carpenter.
With love and embraces they parted that night,
She arose next morning to meet him by light,
Oh come and go with me, before we are married,
Oh come and go with me, a friend for to see.
Over ridges and ditches and hollows so deep,
At last this fair maiden began for to weep,
I am fearful, dear Willie, you've led me astray,
And now for some purpose my life will betray.
Oh yes, pretty Polly, you are talking just right,
I was digging your grave all in order last night,
Poor[1] innocent maiden [did hear him say so,]
And the tears from her eyes in fair fountains did flow.
She looked to his side, and her grave was there to see,
Is this the bright home you have prepared for me?
Oh pity my soul, my sweet life is betrayed,
And I young and blooming am hurried to my grave!
This here is no time for to talk or to stand,
He immediately drew a long knife in his hand,
He pierced through her heart and the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her fair body he did throw.
He covered her up and returned back home,
He left nothing there but the small birds to mourn,
He mounted a steamer that very same day,
Pretty Polly a-blooming lay mouldering away.
1. When the poor [end of this line was filled out from broadside B]
-------------------------
Bf. "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter," as sung by Captain Pearl R. Nye, (1872-1950) on November 3, 1937, recorded by Lomax.
IN London's fair city a fair damsel did dwell,
Her wealth and her beauty no tongue could thy tell;
She was courted by a sailor for to be his dear,
And him to his trade was a ship carpenter.
He says, "My Miss Mary, if you will agree,
And give your consent to go along me,
Your love it can cure me of sorrow and fear,
If you will but marry a ship carpenter."
Through 'braces and kisses they parted that night,
She started next morning for to meet him by light;
He led her through ditches and valleys so deep,
Till at length this fair damsel began for to weep.
She says, "My Sweet William you've led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray,
He says, "My Miss Mary you have guessed it right
for I was digging your grave all last night."
She turned her head and, her grave there she spied,
Saying, "Is this the bright bed for me you provide,
O pardon [me] Sweet William and spare me my life
Let me be distress-ed if I can't be your wife."
For pardon Sweet William is the worst of all men
Heaven will reward you, when I'm dead and gone;
No time for to weep no nor time for to stand,
He instantly taking his knife in his hand.
Into her fair body, his knife then did go,
And the blood from her body like a fountain did flow,
He covered her all up and homeward returned
Left no one to mourn but the small birds alone.
The captain soon summoned the whole of his crew,
He said, "My brave boys, I fear some of you
Have murdered some damsel before we came 'way,
That will cause us to hate upon the whole sea.
And he that did do it, the truth he'll deny,
We'll hang him on yon gallows oh so high
But he who confesses, then his life we'll not take,
But to leave him on the next island we make.
Poor William, poor William then fell to his knees
The blood in his veins with sorrow did freeze
And no one did see it, but his wicked eye,
And he went distracted and died the same night.
Bg. "The Gosport Tragedy." Sung by Ethel Findlater and Elsie Johnston, Dounby, Orkney, 1967; recorded by Alan Bruford. First recorded by Kennedy in 1955.
1. In Gosport of late a fair damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty few could her excel;
A young man did court her for to be his dear,
And he to his trade was a ship's carpenter.
2. With blushes more sweet than the roses in June.
She says, "My dear William for to wed I'm too young.
For young men they are fickle I can see very plain,
When a maiden proves kindness they quickly disdain."
3. "Oh, my charming sweet Molly, how dare you say so,
Your[1] beauty's the haven to which I would go;
And if I find channel my ship for to steer,
I then would cast anchor and stay with my dear."
4. It was all in vain that she strove to deny
For he by his cunningness he made her comply,
And by false deception he did her betray
And in some hellish pathway he led her astray.
5. As soon as with child this young damsel did prove,
She quickly sent the tidings to her faithless love
Who swore by the heavens that he would prove true,
And he never would marry a damsel but you.
6. Time passed on a while and again we do hear,
His ship must be sailing, for[2] sea he must steer;
Which grieved this poor damsel and wounded her heart,
To think that so soon from her love she must part.
7. With tender affections he to her he did say,
I'll marry my Molly ere I go away;
And if that to-morrow my love will ride down
The ring we will buy, our fair union to crown.
8. With tender embraces, they parted that night,
He[3] promised to meet her next morning at light;
But he says, "My dear Molly ere we married be,
We must go on a visit some friends for to see."
9. He led her through hills and through valleys so deep
Till at length this young damsel began for to weep;
She says, "My dear William, you have led me astray,
In hopes of my innocent life to betray."
10. "Oh, yes, you have guessed right, on earth don't you see,
For all the last night I was digging your grave";
A grave and a spade lying near she did see,
Which made this young damsel to weep bitterly.
11. When poor ruined Molly did hear him say so,
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow;
Saying, "Treacherous William, the worst of mankind,
Is this the bride's bed I expected to find?"
12. "Oh, pity my infant and spare me my life,
Let me live in my shame since I can't be your wife;
And don't take my life lest my soul you betray,
And you to perdition would be hurried away.
13. With hands white as lilies in sorrow she wrung,
Imploring for mercy saying, "What have I done
To you dearest William so comely and fair?
Can you murder your true love that loved you so dear?"
14. He says, "There's no time for disputing to stand,"
And he instantly taking a knife in his hand;
He pierced her fair body while the blood it did flow,
And in the cold grave her fair body he threw.
15. He covered it over, and quick hastened on
Leaving none but the little birds her sad fate to bemoan:
On board ship he entered without more delay,
And set sail for Plymouth the very next day.
16. A young man named Stewart, of courage most bold,
Who happened one night to be late in the hold;
When a beautiful damsel to him did appear,
And she in her arms held an infant so dear.
17. Being merry with liquor, he ran to embrace,
Transported with joy at beholding her face;
And to his amazement soon vanished away,
Which he ran and told the captain without more delay.
18. The Captain soon then[4] summoned his jolly ship's crew,
Saying, "I fear, my brave fellows that some one of you
Has murdered a damsel ere he came away,
Whose innocent ghost now haunts you[5] on the sea.
19. "Whoever he be if the truth he confess,
We will land him upon the first island we meet;
But whoever he be if the truth he deny,
He will be hung up on the yard's arm so high."
20. William in horror he fell on his knees,
Saying. "Poor injured ghost thy forgiveness I crave[6],
For soon I shall follow thee down to the grave."
21. As soon as her parents the sad tidings did hear.
They sought for the body of their daughter so dear;
In the town of Southampton her body now lies,
And I hope that her soul is with God in the sky.
22. And I hope this sad tale will a warning to all
Who dare a young innocent maid to enthrall
In Oxford green churchyard her body was laid
And for a monument[7] there's a stone at her head[8].
[1] 1969: "For your"
[2] 1969: "to"
[3] 1969: "And he"
[4] 1969: "then" omitted
[5] 1969: "him"
[6] In 1969, this line is repeated, so the tune is complete.
[7] Unclear: sounds more like "monumento" – perhaps "monumental"? Or are the two singers singing different words, perhaps "monument" and "memento"?
[8] In 1969, these last two stanzas are omitted.
__________________________________
Ca. "Polly Love" or "The Cruel Ship-Carpenter"; c. 1820; Johnson Ballads 458, Harding B 11(3057), Harding B 11(3058), Harding B 11(3056), Harding B 11(49), Firth c.13(205), Harding B 25(1520), "Polly's Love" or "The Cruel Ship Carpenter[!]"; Harding B 15(74b), Firth c.13(290), "The Cruel Ship Carpenter"; Harding B 11(824):
In fair Worcester city and in Worcestershire,
A handsome young damsel she lived there,
A handsome young man he courted her to be his dear,
And he was by trade a ship carpenter.
Now the king wanted seamen to go on the sea,
That caused this young damsel to sigh and to say,
"O William, O William, don't you go to sea.
Remember the vows that you made to me."
It was early next morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly these words he did say,
O Polly, O Polly you must go with me
Before we are married my friend for to see."
He led her through groves and vallies so deep
And caused this young damsel to sigh and to weep;
O William, O William you have led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray
It's true It's true these words he did rave
For all the long night I've been digging your grave
The grave being open, the spade standing by,
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to say,
O William O William, O pardon my life,
I never will covet to be your wife
I will travel the world over to set you quite free,
O pardon O pardon, my baby and me.
No pardon I'll give, there's no time for to stand
So with that he had a knife in his hand
He stabb'd her heart till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her fair body did throw.
He covered her up so safe and secure,
Thinking no one would find her he was sure
Then he went on board, to sail the world round
Before that the murder could ever be found,
It was early one morning before it was day,
The captain came up these words he did say,
There's a murderer on board, and he it lately has done
Our ship is in mourning and cannot sail on.
Then up stepp'd one indeed it's not me
Then up stepp'd another, the same he did say
Then up starts young William to stamp and to swear
Indeed it's not me sir, I vow and declare.
As he was a turning from the captain with speed
He met his Polly which made his heart bleed
She stript him and tore him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
------------------------
Cb. "Love and Murder," Amstrong c. 1820, Liverpool; see also J. K. Pollock, Printer, North Shields; Harding B 25(1156)
In Worcestertown and in Worcestershire,
A handsome young damsel she lived there,
A handsome young man he courted her to be his dear,
And he was by trade a ship carpenter.
The king wanted men to go out upon the sea,
Which caus'd this young damsel to sigh and to say,
O Billy, O Billy, don't you go to sea.
Don't you remember what you promis'd me.
Early one morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly, these words he did say,
O Polly, O Polly, you must go with me,
Before we are married my friend for to see.
He led her through woods and valleys deep
Which caused this maiden to sigh and to weep,
O Billy, O Billy, you have led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
It is true, it is true these words he have said,
For all this night I have been digging your grave;
The grave being open, and she (the spade) standing by,
It caus'd this fair maid to sigh and to say,
O Billy, O Billy, O pardon my life,
I never will covet to be your wife
I will travel the world over to set you free,
O pardon O pardon, my baby and me.
No pardon here is, there's no time for to stand
With that he had a sharp knife in his hand
He stabb'd her heart till the blood it ran through,
Then into the grave her fair body he threw.
He covered her up so safe and secure,
Thinking no one could find her he was sure
He went on board to sail the world round,
Before the murder ever was found.
One morning before it ever was day,
Our captain came up thus he did say,
There is a murder on board, that has lately been done
Our ship is in mourning, we cannot sail on.
Then up steps one indeed it's not me
Then up steps another, the same he did say
At length up steps Billy and this he did swear
Indeed it's not me, I vow and declare.
As he was a running from the captain with speed
He met his Polly which made his heart bleed
She stripped and tore him, she tore him in three,
Because that he murder'd her baby and she.
----------------------------
Cc. "Pretty Polly" sung John Whittaker in Utah in July, 1870; collected Hubbard.
1. They mounted on steeds and they rode through the greenwood;
O'er high hills and hollows and valleys they rode,
Like two doves together till a grave they did see,
A grave newly dug and a spade standing by.
2. She said, "William, come pity me, spare my poor life;
Let me live out my shame if I can't be your wife."
"Polly, oh Polly, there's no time to stand."
And instantly taking his knife in his hand,
3. He pierced her fair breast and the blood it did flow,
And into her grave her young body did throw.
He covered her o'er and soon hastened on,
Left none but the small birds her state to be mourned.
4. He entered on board ship to sail the seas round,
And not until then was the murderer found.
"There's a murderer on board and he cannot be found;
Our ship stands in mourning and we cannot sail on."
5. Up steps one man and says, "It is not me,"
And up steps another and he said the same.
And up steps young William to stomp and to swear,
"It is not me I will vow and declare."
6. As William was hastening from the captain with speed,
He met his poor Polly, which made his heart bleed.
She ripped him, she stripped him, she tore him in three
Because he had murdered her and her baby.
------------------------------
Cd. "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" sung by Henry Burstow of Horsham, Sussex; collected by Broadwood 1893 published in 1902.
------------------------
e. "Sally Monroe" a hybrid version sung by Mrs. Hayes (Newfoundland) 1929 Greenleaf
-------------------------
f. "Pretty Polly," sung by Fred Carriere, (1875-1954) of Champion, MI, on October 10, 1938, recorded by Alan Lomax, melody "Sweet Betsy from Pike."
g. "Young Willie," sung by Paddy McCluskey, Clough Mills, Co. Antrim on 5th August, 1953. Recorded by Peter Kennedy and Sean O'Boyle. Also recorded in 1973 by Mike Waterson.
Ch. "Ghost Song" sung by Sam Larner (1878-1965) of Winterton on the recording Now Is The Time For Fishing (1961)
Now the queen, she wants sailors to sail on the sea,
Which made pretty Polly to stand up for to plead;
Sayin' William, dearest William, don't you go off to sea,
Please remembers the vows that you made unto me.
But 'twas early the next morning, before it was day,
That he went to his Polly, these words he did say:
Oh, Polly, pretty Polly, you must come 'long with me,
Before we are married my friends for to see.
So he led her through groves and through valleys so deep,
Which made pretty Polly to sigh and to weep,
Sayin', William, dearest William, you have led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
Oh, yes, dearest Polly, 'tis true all you've said.
For all this long night I've been diggin' your grave.
And the grave, it being open and the spade standing by
Which made pretty Polly to weep and to cry.
Oh pardon, dear William, my innocent life
And I'll never regret for to be your true wife.
I'll travel old England over all to set you free,
Please remember the vows that you made unto me.
But no pardon, no pardon, no pardon I'll give.
And with that he drew out the long dagger-knife;
He stabbed her to the heart and the blood did down-flow,
And into the grave, fast, her body did throw.
Now, he carried her securely, and up all quite sound,
He's not thinking the body would ever be found;
Then he went on board for a sailor to go
Not thinking the murder would ever out-through.
But 'twas early one morning, before it was day,
Then our captain come up and these words he did say,
Our ship, she is in mourning and cannot sail on,
There's a murderer on board what has lately been done.
Then up jumped one sailor and, "Indeed, it's not me."
Then up jumped another, the same he did say.
Then up jumped bold William to stamp and to swear,
Sayin', "Indeed, it's not me, sir; I vow and declare."
Then he hastened to the forecastle with speed,
There he met his pretty Polly which made his heart bleed.
She ripped him and she stripped him and she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered the baby and she.
i. "Pretty Polly," unnamed informant (St. Shott’s, Trepassey) Newfoundland; 1951. Leach; Book of Ballads p. 147.
D. The Cruel Ship's Carpenter- Sung by Mr. T. JEFF STOCKTON at Flag Pond, Tenn., Sept. 4, 1916. Collected by Cecil Sharp published in EFSSA, 1917 and 1932.
1. In London sweet city a fair damsel did dwell,
Her wealth and her beauty no tongue could I tell.
She was courted by sail or for to be his dear,
And him to his trade was a ship's carpenter.
2 He says: My Miss Mary, if you will agree,
If you will consent and go along with me,
I will ease you from trouble or sorrow and fear,
If you will but marry a ship's carpenter.
3 Through 'braces and kisses they parted that night,
She started next morning for to meet him by light.
He led her through ditches and valleys so deep,
Till at length this fair damsel begin for to weep.
4 She says: My sweet William, you've led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
He says: My Miss Mary, you have guessed right,
For I was digging your grave all last night.
She turned her head and her grave she there spied,
Saying: Is this the bright bed for which me you've provide?
5 O pardon, sweet William, and spare me my life.
Let me go distressed if I can't be your wife.
For pardon sweet William is the worst of all men,
For the Heavens will reward you when I am dead and gone."
6 No time for to weep nor no time for to stand.
He instantly taken his knife in his hand.
Into her bright body his knife he there stole,
And the blood from her body like a fountain did flow.
7 He covered her all up, straight home he returned,
Left no one to mourn but the small birds alone,
And pled forth the paymount for to plough the whole sea.
8 The captain then summoned his whole-y ship crew.
He said: My brave boys, I'm afraid some of you
Have murdered some damsel before we came away,
That will cause us to be hate upon the whole sea.
9 And he that did do it the truth he'll deny.
We'll hang with God in yon gallows so high;
But he that confess it his life we'll not take,
But we'll leave him on the very next island we'll meet.
10 Poor William, poor William then fell to his knees,
The blood in his veins with horror did freeze.
And no one did see it but this wicked wretch,
And he went distracted and died that same night.
Ea.
Ja. Pretty Polly- From Lily Mae Ledford's recording with The Coon Creek Girls; Kentucky, 1938. Also by her granddaughter Cari Norris.
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I used to be a rounder I've been around this town,
I courted Pretty Polly I've been all around.
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
Where is Pretty Polly? Oh yonder she stands,
Diamonds on her finger and her lily white hands
Polly, Pretty Polly come along with me, [bis.]
Before we get married some pleasure to see.
He lead her over hills and valleys so deep,
Then Pretty Polly, she began to weep.
Willie, oh Willie I'm afraid of your ways
I'm afraid you're going to lead me astray.
Polly, oh Polly your guess is about right,
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night,
She went a little further and what did she spy,
A new dug grave with a spade lying by.
She threw her arms around him and begged for her life,
Deep into her bosom he plunged the fatal knife.
She fell to the ground and the blood it did flow,
Then into her grave Pretty Polly did go.
He threw the dirt around her and turned to go home,
No one around but the birds to weep and mourn.
A debt to the devil Willie must pay,
For killing Pretty Polly and running away.
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Bruce olsen: Note that "The Gosport Tragedy" was to be sung to "Peggy's gone over the sea [with the soldier]". An ABC of the tune is B367 among the broadside ballad tunes on my website.
The ballad of Peggy and the soldier is ZN1517 in my broadside ballad index. Traditional versions are Laws P13 (in DT). The Roud # is 907 and English and Scots versions, as well as American ones are listed in his folk song Index. "Peggy and the soldier" is one of the tunes cited for the broadside ballad version of "The Nightingale's Song", broadside ballad = ZN277 (given in Scarce Songs 1 on my website), and as Laws P14 there are 4 versions in DT of this latter song.