Andrew Bardeen- Rathburn (CT) c.1830s Flanders H
[From Flanders' Ancient Ballads, 1965. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2013]
H. Andrew Bardeen. Mailed to H.H.F., January 17, 1941, by Miss Mary Geneva Rathburn, 35 Denison Avenue, Mystic, Connecticut, who says it was "Sung in 1917 by a resident of Griswold, Connecticut, who was born 1824 or 25- learned from his brother when a small boy." This was previously collected by Miss Mary Augusta Scott and used in an issue of The Vassar Quarterly in 1917. H. H. F., Collector January 17, 1945
Three brothers, three brothers in Scotland did dwell,
They lived by themselves,
They all cast lots to see which should go robbing,
Go robbing all on the salt sea.
The lot it fell to Andrew Bardeen,
The youngest of the three,
That he should go robbing for the other two,
Go robbing all on the salt sea.
He had scarce sailed two cold winter nights
When he a ship espied
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length it came sailing close by.
"O, who comes there," cries Andrew Bardeen,
"That sails along so nigh?"
"We're the rich merchant vessels from old Scotland.
If there's no offense, let us pass by."
"O no, O no," cries Andrew Bardeen.
"Such things shall never be.
I'll have your ship and your cargo, boys,
And your bodies I'll drown in the sea."
Soon as the news to King Henry came
And noised all around,
That his rich merchant vessels were all taken
And his mariners, they were all drowned,
"Go build me a ship," says King Henry,
"And build it firm and sure.
Andrew Bardeen I don't fetch o'er,
My life I'll no longer endure."
The ship was built without delay
And ready at his hand.
And Captain Charles Stewart was put therein
To take the bold command.
He had scarce sailed two cold winter nights
When he a ship espied
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length it came sailing close by.
"O who comes there," cries Captain Charles Stewart,
"That sails along so nigh?"
"We are the bold robbers from old Scotland.
If there's no offense, let us pass by."
"O no, O no," cries Captain Charles Stewart.
"Such things can never be.
I'll have your ship and your cargo, too,
And your bodies I'll carry with me."
"Come on, come on," cries Andrew Bardeen;
"Your bodies I don't value one pin,
And though you're made sure with brass without,
I've plenty of steel within."
"Broadsides, broadsides," our captain replied,
And cannon bud [1] did roar,
And Captain Charles Stewart took Andrew Bardeen
And brought him safe to Scotland's shore.
1. bud=loud