Billy Broke Bolts- M.D.L. (MA) 1924 Barry C
[My title. From "Notes and Queries" of the Boston Evening Transcript, reprinted in British Ballads From Maine, 1929.
R. Matteson 2015]
JOHN WEBBER
(cf. child 188)
C. [Billy Broke Bolts] To this "M.D.L." responded, February 23: "My grandmother used to sing this swashbuckling old ballad, and some lines of it remain in my memory. If anyone recalls any other parts of it, I should much like to have them. I have no idea of the origin of the ballad.''
As I walked out one merry May morn,
As it was near the break of day,
I heard three brothers a-making their moan
l"d I listened awhile to what they did say.
"We have a brother in prison so strong,
This day he is condemned to die,
If we ha"d ten men just like ourselves
This prisoner we could soon set free."
"Oh no! O no!" then Billy he cried;
"O no! O no! That never could be!
For forty men is full little enough
And I to ride in your company."
Then they mounted their horses and away they rode,
And away they rode so merrily,--
Until they all came to the broad prison gate
And then they alighted so manfully.
There were ten to hold the horses there,
And ten to guard the city about,
And ten to stand at the broad prison door,
And ten to bring John Webber out.
6 Then Billy broke bolts and Billy broke bars.
And Billy broke all that came in his way,
Took little John Webber right under his arm
And carried him out so manfully.
7 Then they mounted their horses and away they rode,
And away they rode so manfully,
Until they all came to the broad riverside,
And there they alighted so merrily.
8 They danced a dance upon the green, . . .
"But then my memory fails on the verses which tell how the high sheriff followed them. I only remember the exultant end":
9 "Come back ! come back !" the high sheriff he cried,
"You are a great rogue as ever I see,"
"I thank you for nothing," then Billy replied.
"You are a great fool for following me."