Polly's Love (London) c.1819 Pitts broadside
[Polly's love, or, the cruel ship carpenter; Firth c.13(206) between 1819 and 1844; Pitts printer, Toy & Marble Warehouse 6, Great st. Andrew street 7 dials, London.
Version Ca. is "Polly Love" or "The Cruel Ship-Carpenter"; dated c. 1819 and is printed a number of time: Johnson Ballads 458, Harding B 11(3057), Harding B 11(3058), Harding B 11(3056), Harding B 11(49), Firth c.13(205), Harding B 25(1520), "Polly's Love" or "The Cruel Ship Carpenter[!]"; Harding B 15(74b), Firth c.13(290), "The Cruel Ship Carpenter"; Harding B 11(824).
The ballad was printed with a new title, "Love and Murder" having only small changes in the wording. See: Harding B 25(1156), a version titled 'Love and Murder" which was printed by J.K. Pollock, Printer in North Shields between, 1815 and 1855.
R. Matteson 2016]
Polly's Love, or, The Cruel Ship's Carpenter
In fair Worcester city and in Worcestershire,
A handsome young damsel she lived there,
A handsome young man he courted her to be his dear,
And he was by trade a ship carpenter.
Now the king wanted seamen to go on the sea,
That caused this young damsel to sigh and to say,
"O William, O William, don't you go to sea.
Remember the vows that you made to me."
It was early next morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly these words he did say,
O Polly, O Polly you must go with me
Before we are married my friend for to see."
He led her through groves and vallies so deep
And caused this young damsel to sigh and to weep;
O William, O William you have led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray
It's true It's true these words he did rave
For all the long night I've been digging your grave
The grave being open, the spade standing by,
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to say,
O William O William, O pardon my life,
I never will covet to be your wife
I will travel the world over to set you quite free,
O pardon O pardon, my baby and me.
No pardon I'll give, there's no time for to stand
So with that he had a knife in his hand
He stabb'd her heart till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her fair body did throw.
He covered her up so safe and secure,
Thinking no one would find her he was sure
Then he went on board, to sail the world round
Before that the murder could ever be found,
It was early one morning before it was day,
The captain came up these words he did say,
There's a murderer on board, has[1] lately been done
Our ship is in mourning and cannot sail on.
Then up stepped one indeed it's not me
Then up stepped another, the same he did say
Then up starts young William to stamp and to swear
Indeed it's not me sir, I vow and declare.
As he was a turning from the captain with speed
He met his Polly which made his heart bleed
She stripped him and tore him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
1. appears as, "and he it lately has done" in other broadsides and online