The Little Cabin Boy- M.E.B. (VT) 1905 Barry A
[Barry gave two versions in his article- this is the A version.]
Traditional Ballads in New England I
by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 69 (Apr. - Jun., 1905), pp. 123-138
1. THE GOLDEN VANITY
A. "The Little Cabin Boy." Recorded January 13, 1905, by M. E. B., Irasburg, Vt., from the singing of an aged man born in Glover, Vt.
1. There was a ship in the Northern Countrie,
All in the Lowland low,
The name of the ship was the "Gold China Tree,"
All in the Lowland low, low, low.
Sailing the Lowland, low, low, low,
Sailing the Lowland low.
2 She had not sailed past leagues two or three,
All in the Lowland low,
She had not sailed past leagues two or three
Before she espied a French Galilee.
3. The first that spoke was the ship Captain's man,
All in the Lowland low,
Saying, "Master, O Master, we're all undone,
All in the Lowland, low, low, low!"
4. Next spoke up was the little Cabin Boy,
All in the Lowland low,
Saying, "Master, O Master, what will you give to me,
If I will sink the French Galilee ?"
5. "Oh, I will give you gold, and I will give you fee,
All in the Lowland low,
And my eldest daughter your bride shall be,
All in the Lowland low, low, low."
6 He smote upon his breast, and away swung he,
All in the Lowland low,
He smote upon his breast, and away swung he,
And he swung till he came to the French Galilee.
7. Then he espied a little augur that came from a nun,
All in the Lowland low,
Then he espied a little auger that came from a nun,
And bored holes with it, twenty and one.
8. Some threw their hats, and some threw their caps,
All in the Lowland low,
Saying " For the Lord's sake, stop up the salt water gaps!
All in the Lowland low, low, low!"
9. He smote upon his breast, and away swung he,
All in the Lowland low,
He smote upon his breast, and away swung he,
Until he came to the "Gold China Tree."
10. Then all around the ship this little boy did swim,
All in the Lowland low,
Saying, " Master, O Master, won't you take me in?
Or I'll serve you as I 've served them!"
11. They threw out a rope, and they slightly drew him in,
All in the Lowland low,
They threw out a rope, and they slightly drew him in,
And then he began to dance and sing,
12. Saying, " Master, O Master, what will you give to me,
All in the Lowland low,
Saying, Master, O Master, what will you give to me ?
For I have sunk the French Galilee!"
13. "Oh, I'll give you gold, and I'll give you fee,
All in the Lowland low,
Oh I'll give you gold, and I'll give you fee,
And I'll give you the land of North Amerikee!"
14. "Oh, I'll have none of your gold, or none of your fee,
All in the Lowland low,
Oh, I'll have none of your gold, or none of your fee,
But your eldest daughter my bride shall be!"
15 He married the daughter in spite of them all,
All in the Lowland low,
He married the daughter in spite of them all,
May the Devil take the Captain, sailors and all!