Ship's Carpenter- Danny Brazil (Glou) 1966 Shepheard
[My title, Brazil also called it, The Seamen Song. From recording by Peter Shepheard, 1966. Also recorded by Davies in 1977 and 1998. Liner notes follow,
R. Matteson 2016]
One of the big ballads, with 343 Roud examples, including 76 sound recordings, the vast majority being from North America. England has 54 citings, with the Brazils and the Smiths being the only ones from this area. It seems to be little-known in Scotland or Ireland.
Other versions available on CD: Wiggy, Denny and Biggun Smith (MTCD307); George Dunn (MTCD317-8); Francis Gillum and Alva Greene (MTCD342); Harry Cox (TSCD667); Dock Boggs (County COCD3523); Estil C Ball (Rounder CD1701); Bill Cornett and Lee Sexton (Smithsonian-Folkways SFCD40077); Jack Wallin (SF CD 40013).
The Ship's Carpenter- Sung by Danny Brazil. Rec: Peter Shepheard [66.2.4], Over Bridge, Gloucester, 6.1.66
'In fair Worcester City, in fair Worcestershire,
I courted a young man to make him my dear.
I courted a young man for to make him my dear
And him by his trade was a ship's carpenter.
Early one morning by the dawn of the day
Straight away to his Polly's bedroom he had strayed.
Saying "Polly, dear Polly, you must go with me,
And before we get married, our friends for to see."
He led her through woods and through valleys so deep.
It caused pretty Polly to syphe[1] and to weep.
"Dear Willie, dear Willie, you have led me astray,
For purpose my innocent life take away."
"It's true, dearest Polly, it's true all what you say.
I've been all this long night a-digging your grave."
The grave being open and the spade standing by,
It caused pretty Polly to syphe[1] and to cry.
"Pardon, oh Willie, my baby and me.
I will travel old England to set you quite free,
I'll travel old England for set you quite free
If you will but now pardon my baby and me."
"Pardon" says Willie, "I have no time to spare."
And out from his pocket a long knife he drew.
He pierced her body 'til the blood it did flow
And into the grave her fair body he throw.
He covered her up, it was safe and so sound
He were thinking the murderer had never been found.
'Til he stepped on board of ship for to sail the world round
He were thinking the murderer had never been found.
Early one morning by the dawn of the day
Our captain he cried "All hands come this way.
There's a murderer on board of ship, and it's lately been done
For our ship she's a-mourning and she cannot sail on."
Up stepped a young lad saying, " 'deed it's not I."
And up steps another, "The same here" says he.
Up stepped young Willie for to stomp and to swear,
"Indeed it's not I, sir, I avow and aclare[2]."
But as he was turning by the captain in speed
He met pretty Polly, caused his heart to bleed.
For she ripped him, she stripped him, and she tore him in three
Because that he murdered was the baby and she.
1. sigh
2. declare