Andrew Bardeen- Williams (VT) 1933 Flanders K
[From Flanders' Ancient Ballads, 1965. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2013]
K. Andrew Bardeen. Recorded as sung by Euclid I. Williams, eighty-four years old, in Lower Waterford, Vt. The last two lines of each verse are repeated. Printed first in Country Songs of Vermont, B. H. H. F., Collector--Summer, 1933.
Structure: A B C D C D (2,2,2,2,2,2); Rhythm A; Contour: undulating; Scale: major, the leading tone appears only at the end; t.c. E flat.
Three loving brothers in Scotland did dwell
And loving were the three.
They each cast lots to see which of the three
Should go robbing around the salt sea.
The lot it fell upon Andrew Bardeen,
The youngest of all the three,
And for to maintain his two older brothers
Went robbing around the salt sea.
He had not sailed but one summer night,
When daylight did appear.
He saw a ship sailing very far off
And at last it came sailing quite near.
"Who's there? Who's there?" cried Andrew Bardeen;
"Who's there that sails so nigh?"
"We are the rich merchants from Merrie England
And no offense. Let us by."
"Oh, no, oh, no," said Andrew Bardeen,
"Oh, no, that never can be.
Your ship I'll have and your cargo, too,
And your bodies I'll sink in the sea."
Now when this news reached Merrie England-
King George he wore the crown-
That his ship and his cargo were taken away
And his brave men they were all drowned.
"Go build me a ship," says Captain Charles Stewart,
"A ship both stout and sure,
And if I don't fetch this Andrew Bardeen
My life shall no longer endure."
He had not sailed but one summer's night
When daylight did appear;
He saw a ship sailing very far off;
At last it came sailing quite near.
"'Who's there? Who's there?" cried Captain Charles Stewart;
"There that sails so nigh?"
"We are the bold brothers from Merrie Scotland
And no offense. Let us by.''
"Oh, no, oh, no," cried Captain Charles Stewart,
"Oh, no, that never can be;
Your ship I'll have and your cargo, too,
And. your bodies I'll carry with me."
Then they drew up a full broadside
And each to the other let pour;
They had not fought but a very short time
When Captain Charles Stewart gave o'er.
"Go home, So home," says Andrew Bardeen,
And tell your king for me
That he may reign king of the merrie dry land
But that I will be king of the sea."