Gosport Tragedy- J. Hincock (NS) 1929 Karpeles
[From Folk Songs from Newfoundland, by Karpeles, 1934.
One of the areas the Gosport ballad was found is Maritime Canada. Newfoundland, much like thee Appalachians, was a remote area where ballads could be passed down and remain in their original form for over a hundred and fifty years.
Note that this version has elements of the early "Gosport" broadside, B" the newer 'Polly's Love" broadside and even the stanza from the New York Forget-Me-Not songster (as found in B:
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.
R. Matteson 2016]
THE CRUEL SHIP'S CARPENTER, OR, THE GOSPORT TRAGEDY -Sung by Miss Jemima Hincock at King's Cove, Bonavista Bay, 23rd September 1929; collected Karpeles.
One morning, one morning, just before it was day,
Young Willie instantly strolled out on his way,
Saying: Rise, pretty Polly, and come along with me,
And before we get married our friends we'll go see.
He led her over hills and through valleys so steep
Which caused pretty Polly to sigh, and to weep,
Saying: O dearest Willie, you'll lead me astray,
And perhaps my poor innocent life to betray.
It's true, love, it's true, it's true what you say,
For this livelong night I will be digging your, grave.
So they walked along together till the grave she did spy,
Which caused pretty Polly to sigh and to cry.
O pardon, O pardon, O pardon my life,
For I will not covet for to be your wife;
I'll run this world over for to set you free,
If you will but pardon my baby and me.
No pardon, no pardon, no time for to stand,
He instantly taken a knife in his hand.
He pierced her tender bosom while her heart's blood did flow
And into the cold grave her body did throw.
He covered her over so safe and so sound,
Not thinking this murder would ever be found.
Set sail on his own ship and ploughed the world around,
Not thinking this murder would ever be found.
And young Charlie Steward with courage so bold
One night while he's watching throughout the ship's hold,
A beautiful damsel unto him did appear
And held in her arms a baby so dear.
Our captain he summons our jolly ship's crew,
Saying: Now, my gay fellows, I fear one of you
Have murdered some fair one before we came away
And now she is haunting us here on the way.
Up speaks young Willie: I'm sure it's not me,
Up speaks another: I'm sure it's not me,
Up speaks another: I'm sure it's not me,
And those was the discussion through the ship's company.
Whoever he may be if the truth he'll deny
I'll hang him out on the yardarm so high,
And if he'll confess it his life I'll not take
I'll land him safe out on the first island I make.
O Willie was coming from the captain with speed,
He met with this fair one which caused his heart to bleed.
She ripped him, she stripped him, she tore him in three
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
She turned to the captain, those words she did say:
Since,I have taken your murderer away
With the heavens' protection you and all agree
And send you safe homeward to your own country.