Recordings & Info 57. Brown Robyn's Confession
[Roud No. 3882 is Brown Robyn's Confession. Of his 8 listings, 3 are the related ballad, "William Ismael" from US. I've put William Ismael as an Appendix with "Captain Glen/The New York Trader" (The Guilty Sea Captain), which is Laws K22.
Folk Index gives versions of William Glen.
Child Collection Index gives versions as well of the related ballads: William Glen/ Sir William Gower etc.
Mainly Norfolk gives lyrics and info on Sir William Gower / William Glenn / Captain Glenn / The New York Trader
R. Matteson 2012]
CONTENTS:
1) Alternative Titles
2) Traditional Ballad Index
3) Excerpt from: Narrative and Historical Ballads and Songs
4) Folk Index
5) Child Collection Index
6) Mainly Norfolk (lyrics and info) Sir William Gower / William Glenn / Captain Glenn / The New York Trader
ATTACHED PAGES: (see left hand column)
1) Roud No. 3882: Brown Robyn's Confession (8 listings, but 3 are related William Ismael from US)
Alternative Titles
Brown Robyn
Traditional Ballad Index: Brown Robyn's Confession [Child 57]
DESCRIPTION: Brown Robyn and his men go to sea and meet a fierce storm. They cast lots to learn who is to blame, and Brown Robyn himself is thrown overboard. He sees the Virgin Mary, who offers to let him come to heaven or return to his men. He chooses heaven
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE:
KEYWORDS: ship crime sea storm religious incest
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland)
REFERENCES (6 citations):
Child 57, "Brown Robyn's Confession" (1 text)
Bronson (57) [Brown Robin's Confession], comments only with the tune belonging to "Captain Glen"
OBB 21, "Brown Robyn's Confession" (1 text)
PBB 8, "Brown Robyn's Confession" (1 text)
Gummere, pp. 142-143+331, "Brown Robyne's Confession" (1 text)
ADDITIONAL: Walter de la Mare, _Come Hither_, revised edition, 1928; #412, "Brown Robyn" (1 text)
Roud #3882
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Captain Glen/The New York Trader (The Guilty Sea Captain A/B) [Laws K22]" (Jonah theme) and references there
NOTES: This appears to be the only legitimate ballad that supports the doctrine of Justification by Faith. It is rather odd to find such a thing in Presbyterian Scotland. Especially given that Robyn had had incestuous relations with both his mother and his sister. - RBW
The theme of the sailor thrown overboard to calm a storm sent by God is found in Jonah 1.1-16. - BS
It should be noted that the "Jonahs" actually did exist, and did suffer for it. One case with an interesting analogy to this ballad happened in the reign of King Stephen of England (1135-1154). Stephen, for most of his reign, was plagued by revolt and civil war. One of those who rebelled against him was Geoffrey de Mandeville. But de Mandeville was killed by a crossbowman in 1144 (see Jim Bradbury, Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-1153, 1996 (I use the 1998 Sutton paperback), p. 131).
As was normal at the time, Geoffrey's personal army started to dissolve. His senior infantry officer was named Reiner. Reiner tried to flee to the European mainland (whence he apparently came), but his ship grounded. The sailors cast lots to determine who was guilty, and Rainer and his wife were chosen. They were cast adrift in a small boat and died (Bradbury, p. 132).
Excerpt from: Narrative and Historical Ballads and Songs
by Cecil J. Sharp and Lucy E. Broadwood
Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Vol. 5, No. 20 (Nov., 1916), pp. 253-267
6- Sir William Gower
This is a version of "William Glen." See Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, Vol. I, pp. 240-1, for words (stated to be previously unpublished) and a variant of the same tune; also Ashton's Real Sailor Songs, p. 82 (" Captain Glen "), for a version very like Christie's but with additional verses. "New York in Amerikee" is a modernization of "New Barbaree" or "High Barbary." The ballad seems to be better known in Scotland than in England. Sir Walter Scott refers to it in "The Pirate " (chapter 36)." The Downfall of William Grismond " (see Masefield's Sailor's Garland) or " William Guiseman " (Christie, Vol. ii, p. I72, and Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads) is another form of this Jonah story. This William is discovered as a murderer by the casting of cavels (lots) when the ship refuses to sail, and she is put back to port that he may be delivered up to justice. " Sir William Gower" is the only version of the "William Glen" story I have seen which tells of an innocent man having suffered for Glen's crime. In tlhe other versions the ghost is that of the squire or lord whom he has murdered.- A. G. G.
There are many similar ballads in Northern Europe (see " Brown Robyn's Confession' in Child's Ballads). Mr. Gavin Greig includes a good text of " Captain Glen" in his Folk-Song of the North East. The above tunes are close variants of those sung to me by Mrs. Joiner in Hertfordshire to " A Sailor bold he courted me." See Journal, Vol. v, p. I84, where other references for variants of this favourite tune are given. It is usuallv associated with sea-subjects.- L. E. B.
[Text of Version 1]
1. I'm a gay young sailor both stout and strong;
To a goodly vessel I do belong,
Well carved and an chored, so fine and rare,
And gallant sailors are loaded there.
2 Our Captain's name was Sir William Gower,
And his crew amounted to just four score,
All seamen brave to cross the sea,
Bound for New York in Amerikee.
3 Our Captain in his cabin lay,
When a dreadful voice to him did say
Prepare thyself and ship's company,
For to-morrow night in the deep might lay."
4 Our Captain woke in a dreadful fright,
Being in the third watch of the night;
And to the Bo'sun aloud did call,
Between the secret enclosed them all.
5 Saying " Bo'sun, Bo'sun, let no one know
What we poor sailors do undergo,
But keep the secret but in thy breast
And pray to God to give you rest.
6 I killed my merchant a neighbour there,
'Twas all for the sake of a lady fair;
I killed my wife and children three,
'Twas all for the sake of jealousy.
7 The gay young sailor he beared the blame;
He was hung and quartered for the same.
It is his ghost, I am afraid,
This very night my heart betrayed."
8 The sea run over us both fore and aft
Till a very few men a-deck was left;
And then our boatsman did declare
Our Captain was a murderer.
9 The sea* enraged all our ship's crew
And overboard our Captain threw;
And the wind did cease and calm the sea
And we sailed safe to Amerikee.
Folk Index: Brown Robin's/Robyn's Confession [Ch 57]
Rt - William Glen/Glenn
William Glen/Glenn [Laws K22]
Rt - Brown Robin's/Robyn's Confession ; New York Trader
At - Captain Glen ; Bonnie Annie
Laws, G. Malcolm / American Balladry from British Broadsides, Amer. Folklore Soc., Bk (1957), p151
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p697 [1876]
Doyle, John. Wayward Son, Compass 7 4408 2, CD (2005), trk# 4 (Captain Glen)
Harding, John Wesley. Trad Arr Jones, Zero Hour Zer CD 2210, CD (1998), trk# 7
Henneberry, Ben. Creighton, Helen / Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia, Dover, sof (1996/1933), p111/# 55 [1927-32] (Captain Glen)
Jones, Nic. From the Devil to a Stranger, Highway LTRA 507, LP (1978), trk# A.04
McCurdy, Ed. Ballad Record, Riverside RLP 12-601, LP (1955), trk# B.02
Rose, Tony. On Banks of Green Willow, Leader/Trailer LER-2 101, LP (1976), trk# 10 (Sir William Gower)
Tutty, Paddy. In the Greenwood, Prairie Druid PA 04, CD (1998), trk# 10
Child Collection Index- Child Ballad 057: Brown Robyn’s Confession
Child No. --Artist --Title --Album --Year --Length --Have
057 Brian Peters Sir William Gower Lines 2001 4:21 Yes
057 Bryony Griffith & Will Hampson William Gower + The Tankard of Ale Lady Diamond 2011 No
057 Dave & Toni Arthur The Guilty Sea Captain Morning Stands on Tiptoe 1997 2:21 Yes
057 Ed McCurdy William Glen The Ballad Record 1955 3:47 Yes
057 Eva Hedberg Herr Peders Sjöresa Den Medeltida Balladen (The Medieval Ballad) - Folk Songs in Sweden 1995 3:47 Yes
057 Fairport Convention Sir William Gower Angel Delight 1971 4:59 Yes
057 Fairport Convention Sir William Gower Live at the BBC 2007 4:44 Yes
057 Fairport Convention Sir William Gower Live at Ruisrock Festival, Turku, Finland 1971 4:47 Yes
057 Graham Moore William Glenn Tom Paine's Bones 1995 No
057 John Doyle Captain Glenn Wayward Son 2005 5:14 Yes
057 John Wesley Harding William Glenn Trad Arr Jones 1999 7:38 Yes
057 John Wesley Harding William Glenn Dynablob 3 - 26th March 1999 2003 7:54 Yes
057 Mick Ryan & John Burge Brown Robin's Confession Fair Was the City 1978 4:09 Yes
057 Nic Jones Captain Glen Unearthed 2001 4:17 Yes
057 Nic Jones William Glen From the Devil to a Stranger 1978 5:56 Yes
057 Paddy Tutty William Glen In the Greenwood 1998 6:52 Yes
057 Sarah Mallinson & Debbie Warren The Guilty Sea Captain Lowlands 1998 2:18 Yes
057 Svea Jansson Herr Peders Sjöresa Den Medeltida Balladen (The Medieval Ballad) - Folk Songs in Sweden 1995 2:57 Yes
057 Mappamundi William Glenn World Music Our Way 2002 No
057 Steve Turner William Glenn Rim of the Wheel 2012 No
057 Tony Rose Sir William Gower On Banks of Green Willow 1971 5:06 Yes
057 Unknown William Glen The James Madison Carpenter Collection 1927-1955 No&
Mainly Norfolk: Sir William Gower/ William Glenn/ Captain Glenn/ The New York Trader
[ Roud 478 ; Laws K22 ; Ballad Index LK22 ; trad.]
This song is listed in A.L. Lloyd and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Penguin Book of English Folk Songs as The New York Trader.
Tony Rose sang it in 1976 as Sir William Gower on his third album, On Banks of Green Willow. He commented in the album's sleeve notes:
It was a common superstition, possibly originating with the story of Jonah, that the presence of an evil-doer on board a ship might imperil both vessel and crew, unless the guilty party were sought out and thrown overboard. Such is the theme running through The Banks of Green Willow and Sir William Gower, both of which were collected by Cecil Sharp in Somerset.
Fairport Convention recorded Sir William Gower a few years earlier than Tony Rose for their LP Angel Delight. Their BBC session recording broadcast March 27, 1971 on “Folk on One” was included in the 4 CD box Live at the BBC.
Nic Jones recorded this ballad as William Glenn with somewhat different verses in 1978 for his album From the Devil to a Stranger. Another version was included in 2001 on his compilation CD Unearthed where it is called Captain Glenn. He also sang it in a BBC Radio 1 John Peel session recorded on April 19, 1977 and broadcast April 26, 1977.
John Wesley Harding also sang this ballad on his Nic Jones tribute album, Trad Arr Jones.
Bryony Griffith sang William Gower in 2011 on her and Will Hampson's CD Lady Diamond. They learned it “from the singing of Tony Rose and Cecil Sharp's collection of English Folk Songs.” and coupled it with the tune The Tankard of Ale “from the manuscript of Joshua Jackson, North cornmiller and musician, by Bowen & Shepherd for Yorkshire Dales Workshops.”
Tarras sang New York Trader in 2011 on their CD Warn the Waters.
Lyrics
Tony Rose sings Sir William Gower
A bold young seaman, stout and strong,
To a lofty vessel I do belong:
Well rigged, well manned, well fit for sea,
Bound for New York in Amerikey.
Our captain's name was William Gower
And his crew in the number were just four score.
All seamen bold for to sail the sea
Bound for New York in Amerikey.
Our captain in his cabin lay
When an awful voice to him did say:
"Prepare yourself and your company
Tomorrow night in the deep to lie."
Our captain woke in an awful fright
It being in the first part all of the night,
And to his bosun aloud did call
To him revealed his secret all.
"Oh, it's bosun, bosun, let no-one know
What we poor sailors do undergo,
But keep the secret within your breast
And pray to God now to give you rest."
"I killed my master, a merchant there,
And 'twas all for the sake of his lady dear;
I killed my wife and my children three
And 'twas all for the sake of jealousy."
"Oh, it's on my servant I laid the blame,
He was hung and quartered all for the same.
And it is his ghost I am much afraid,
This very night has my heart betrayed."
Early next morning the storm did rise
Which our poor sailors did much surprise,
And the sea washed o'er us, both fore and aft
Till scarce one man on deck was left.
At this our bosun he did declare
Our captain he was some murderer.
Which so enraged the whole ship's crew
They overboard then the captain threw.
Bryony Griffith sings William Gower
A bold sea captain named William Gower
And his loyal crew of just four score.
All seamen brave for to sail with he
Bound for New York far across the sea.
This captain in his cabin lay
When a dreadful voice unto him did say:
"Prepare thyself and thy ship's company
For tomorrow in deepest waters may be."
The captain woke in a shivering fright
And it being the third part all of the night,
Unto the bosun he loudly cried
And shared the secret of how they might die.
Saying, "Bosun, bosun, let no-one know
What our poor ship might undergo,
Pray keep the secret close to thy chest
And pray to the Gods that they give us rest."
"For, I killed my neighbour back on the land,
All for the sake of a lady's hand;
Then I killed my wife and my children three
All for the sake of damn jealousy."
"And on a poor young sailor I laid the blame,
He was drawn and quartered all for the same.
Now it is his ghost I am afraid
Has come this night my poor life to take."
Then the sea burst over both fore and aft
Till hardly any crew were left,
Then the bosun cried, “I do declare,
It's the captain's fault, he's a murderer!”
This news, this news did enrage the crew
And overboard their bold captain threw,
Then the wind it ceased end the sea was calm,
Bound for New York they sailed free from harm.
When this was done, oh, a calm was there
And our good ship homeward did steer.
Oh the wind abated and calmed the sea,
And we sailed safe to Amerikey.
Nic Jones sings William Glenn
Oh it's of a ship and a ship of fame
Launched off the stocks, bound to sail the main;
With one hundred and fifty brisk young men
Well picked and chosen every one
And William Glenn was the captain's name.
He was a fine and a tall young man
As fine a sailor as sailed the sea;
And we were sailing to New Barbary.
On the first of April, then we set sail,
Blessed with a fine and a prosperous gale.
And we were bound for New Barbary
With all of our whole ship's company.
We hadn't been sailing a league or two
Till all of our whole ship's jovial crew,
They all fell sick but sixty-three
As we were sailing to New Barbary.
One night the Captain then he did dream,
A voice came to him and said to him:
“Prepare yourself and your company
For tomorrow night you must lie with me.”
This woke the captain in a terrible fright,
It being the third watch of the night.
And aloud for the bosun then he did call
And to him told his secrets all.
“Bosun,” he said, “it grieves my heart
To think I've played a villain's part:
A man I slew in Staffordshire
And all for the sake of his lady fair.
And of the ghost of that I am afraid
That has in me such terror bred.
So keep the secret within your breast
And pray to the lord that he gives you rest.”
We hadn't been a sailing a league but three
Till raging grew the roaring sea.
There rose a tempest up in the skies
Which did our seamen much surprise
And the main mast sprung by the break of day
Which made our rigging all but to give way;
And did our seamen much affright
The terrors of that awful night.
And then the bosun he did declare
That the captain was a murderer.
This so enraged the whole ship's crew
That overboard our captain threw.
Our treacherous captain he being gone
Immediately there came a calm
And the winds abated and so did the sea
And we went sailing to New Barbary.
And when we came to the Spanish Shore
Our good little ship for to repair,
The people there were amazed to see
Our dismal case and such misery.
Now seamen all wherever you may be
I pray you take a warning from me:
As you love life won't you have care
And never go sailing with a murderer.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Garry Gillard for transcribing the lyrics from Tony Rose's singing.