68
Handsome Harry
Kittredge, in a bibliographical note in JAFL xxvi 177-8, de-
scribes this as an American form of the British stall ballad of
'The Sailor's Tragedy.' Of this latter two texts have been reported
from tradition: one from New Jersey (JAFL xxvi 179-80) and
one from Nova Scotia (BSSNS 243-4, with a bibliographical
note). 'Handsome Harry,' though printed more than once as an
American broadside and included in the very widely popular Forgct-
Me-Not Songster, has hitherto been reported as traditional song
only from Virginia (FSV 44). Our text agrees fairly closely with
that of the Forget-Me-Not Songster so far as it goes, but it leaves
off the latter part of the story : how Harry, fleeing to his ship,
is there met by a boat in which is the ghost of the wronged woman,
who demands of the ship's captain that Harry be given up to her
and, when he is, thrusts him into the sea to rise no more. For the
more important misreadings of our text the proper readings are
supplied from the Forget-Me-Not Songster.
'Handsome Harry.' Secured for L. W. Anderson of Nag's Head by
Delma Haywood from Mrs. Sallie Meekins of Colington.
1 Come all you loyal-hearted lovers,
Come and listen unto me.
Unto you I will discover
A most doneful purgary.^
2 It was of a sailor such delighted
Pretty fair maidens to betray.
When he gained their love he slighted
And to another took his way.
3 Handsome Harry he was called ;
In Southampton he did dwell.
To the Betsey Ship most famous
He belonged, 'tis full well to know.
4 Among the rest of them he courted
Kate and Ruth he did betray.
^ Corrections from the Forget-Me-Not Songster: stanza i, line 4,
doleful perjury: st. 2, 1. i, who much delighted; st. 3, 1. 4, 'tis known
full well; St. 4, 1. 2, beguile; st. 4, 1. 4, Both of them were big with
child ; St. 5, 1. 3, Each of them thought he would marry ; st. 7, 1. i,
So wretchedly; st. 7, 1. 2, She hung herself upon a tree; st. 10, 1. i,
But above ground; st. 11, 1. i, with false pretences; st. 11, 1. 4, may
undo; st. 12, 11. 1-2, When they've gained your virgin treasure You are
whores and infidels.
OLDER BALLADS — MOSTLY BRITISH 25I
When he gained their love, he sHghted
And with them he would not stay.
5 Both did think to have young Harry,
Which he promised on his life;
Both of them he thought to marry,
But at length made Kate his wife.
6 Ruth she heard it, fell to weeping,
Crying out in bitter woe,
'Is this your promise keeping,
A fair maid to ruin so?'
7 Reachedly with her own garter
Hung the self into a tree ;
And in a few days after
Two men a-hunting did her see.
8 They stood amazed gazing on her
W'hile the dogs did howl and roar.
At the sight they were much surprised ;
The ravenous birds her flesh had torn,
9 They took her down in great pity.
Wondering what the cause might be ;
And they found a note about her.
It was : 'Let no man bury me.
10 'But on this earth just let me perish.
To all maids a warning be :
Have a care of all false lovers
Or be ruined soon like me.
11 'They will come in false pretense,
Swearing they love none but you ;
All the time they are false-hearted.
Seeking whom they may ....
12 'x'Vfter they have gained your love
You are nothing but low infidels.
You may repent it at your leisure
Or like me go hang yourselves.'