The Lowland Sea- Lenington (IN) 1936 Brewster A
[From: Brewster's Ballads and Songs of Indiana]
25. THE SWEET TRINITY (THE GOLDEN VANITY)
(Child, No. 286)
Three complete texts of this ballad have been found in Indiana, all under the title of "The Lowland Sea." They are all closely related to Child C.
For American texts, see Barry, No. 1; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, p. 339; Belden, No. 78; Brown, p. 9; Campbell and Sharp, No. 35; Colcord, p. 79; Cox, No. 32; Davis, p. 516; Flanders and Brown, p. 230; Greenleaf and Mansfield, p. 43 (two fragments); Hudson, No. 22; Hudson, Folksongs, p. 125; Journal, XVIII, 125; XXIII, 429; XXX, 331; XLVIII, 386 (Illinois); McGill, p. 97; Pound, p. 24; Scarborough, Song Catcher, p. 185; Shearin, p. 4; Shearin and Combs, p. 9 (fragment); Shoemaker, p. 126; Wyman and Brockway, p. 72; Smith and Rufty, American Anthology, p. 59; Randolph, The Ozarks, pp. 177-79; Cambiaire, East Tennessee and Western Virginia Mountain Ballads, p. 93; Creighton, p. 20; Cox, Traditional Ballads, pp. 52, 54, 56; Henry, Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands, p. 127.
British: Greig, Last Leaves, No. 101; Williams, Folk-Songs of the Upper Thames, p. 199; JFSS, I, 104; II, 244.
A. "The Lowland Sea." Contributed by Mrs. Elizabeth Craig Lenington, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Marion County. Learned in Allen County from the singing of her mother, who learned it in Ohio. January 30, 1936.
1. All on the Spanish Main the Turkish "Silveree"
Was trying for to stop the "Golden Willow Tree"
As she sailed on the lowland, lonesome, low,
As she sailed on the Lowland Sea.
2. Up stepped the cabin boy, what a fine lad was he!
Saying, "Captain, O Captain, what will you give me
If Til sink her in the lowland, lonesome, low,
If I'll sink her in the Lowland Sea?"
3. "I've houses on land, a ship upon the sea;
My oldest daughter your wedded wife shall be,
If you'll sink her in the lowland, lonesome, low,
If you'll sink her in the Lowland Sea."
4. He turned upon his face, and off swam he
Until he reached the "Golden Willow Tree,"
As she sailed on the lowland, lonesome, low,
As she sailed on the Lowland Sea.
5. He took up the tools he had prepared,
And bored forty holes all in the guard,
As she sailed on the lowland, lonesome, low,
As she sailed on the Lowland Sea.
6. Some were playing cards, and some were throwing dice;
Some were standing round, a-giving good advice,
As she sailed on the lowland, lonesome, low,
As she sailed on the Lowland Sea.
7. Some with their hats and some with their caps
Were trying for to stop the salt-water gaps,
As she sank into the lowland, lonesome, low,
As she sank into the Lowland Sea.
8. He turned upon his face, and back swam he
Until he reached the Turkish "Silveree,"
As she sailed on the lowland, lonesome, low,
As she sailed on the Lowland Sea.
9. "Captain, O Captain, be as good as your word;
Be half so good as to take me on board,
For she's sunk into the lowland, lonesome, low,
For she's sunk into the Lowland Sea."
10. "O no, I will not be as good as my word,
Nor half so good as to take you on board,
For she's sunk into the lowland, lonesome, low,
For she's sunk into the Lowland Sea."
11. "If it wasn't for the love I have for your men,
I would serve you just as I've served them;
I would sink you in the lowland, lonesome, low,
I would sink you in the Lowland Sea."
12. He turned upon his back, and down sank he,
Bidding adieu to the Turkish "Silveree,"
As he sank into the lowland, lonesome, low,
As he sank into the Lowland Sea.