Gosport Tragedy- Ethel Findlater (Ork) 1955 REC
[Traditional source is questionable, this is the only extant full version of Gosport collected in UK. From online recording at School of Scottish Studies, 1969. Also recorded in 1955 (Kennedy) and 1961, 1967. Taken from Violet Harvey (AKA Violet Moar) MS and found in Ethel Findlater's Ballad Book of Dounby, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Published in Sitting Out the Winter in the Orkney Islands by Nancy Cassell McEntire - 1990.
Listen: http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/64318/1
Here's a transcription of Findlater's version of Gosport by Jim Brown. This is similar to the Deming Broadside printed in the US in the early 1800s- perhaps from a missing British broadside of circa 1700.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Gosport Tragedy -Sung by Ethel Findlater and Elsie Johnston, recorded by Alan Bruford, Dounby, Orkney, 1967
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/63592/3
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.