Andrew Bartin- Haskell (SC) 1856 Smith; Child E
[This version, Child E, is given in Additions and Corrections, and in ESPB is unlettered. Kittredge, however refers to it as version E in the 1904 edition where he says: "This ballad must have sprung from the ashes of 'Sir Andrew Barton' (No. 167). E comes nearer than the others to the original, but sts. 11-13 are derived from No. 287, sts. 8, 10."
Notes below from South Carolina Ballads.
R. Matteson 2013]
XIII ANDREW BARTIN
This ballad may have sprung from the longer and more stirring sea ballad of "Sir Andrew Barton," Child, No. 167. Child gives five versions, his E version being the one quoted here. For references to American texts and recent English tradition, see J.A.F.L., Vol. XXX, p. 327.
"Andrew Bartin." Communicated by Miss Louise Porter Haskell as derived from General E. P. Alexander of South Carolina, and derived by him from the singing of a cadet at West Point Military Academy in the winter of 1856-57. Two or three slight corrections have been made by Mrs. A. C. Haskell sister of General Alexander. This copy comes nearer than the others to the original "Andrew Barton"; but stanzas 11-13 are derived from "Captain Ward," Child, No. 287, stanzas B, to further slight corrections in the text printed here were made by Leonard L. Mackall in consultation with General E. P. Alexander, his great-uncle; after seeing Child's printed version. Mr. Mackall's letter to Professor G. L. Kittredge is dated South Island, Georgetown, S. C., Dec. 11, 1904- It also contains the first stanzas of the three following songs:
1. My name is Sam Hall, is Sam Hall.
2. Lord Lovell, he stood at his castle gate,
A-combing his milk-white steed,
Lady Nancy Belle came riding by,
A-wishing her lover good speed.
3. A-walking one morning, one morning in spring,
"To hear the sweet birds and the nightingale sing,
I saw a poor damsel a-walking alone
Saying, " I'm a poor maiden a far ways from home,"
ANDREW BARTIN
1. Three bold brothers of merrie Scotland,
And three bold brothers were they,
And they cast lots the one with the other,
To see who should go robbing all o'er the salt sea,
And they cast lots the one with the other,
To see who should go robbing all o'er the salt sea.
2. The lot it fell on Andrew Bartin,
The youngest of the three,
That he should go robbing all o'er the salt sea,
To maintain his two brothers and he.
3. He had not sailed but one long summer night,
When daylight did appear;
He saw a ship sailing far oft' and far round,
At last she came sailing quite near.
4. "Who art? Who art?" says Andrew Bartin,
"Who art comes sailing so nigh?"
"We are the rich merchants of merrie England,
Just please for to let us pass by."
5. "Pass by? Pass by?" says Andrew Bartin,
"No, no, that never can be;
Your ship and your cargo I will take away,
And your brave men drown in the sea."
6. Now when this news reached merrie England -
King George he wore the crow
That his ship and his cargo were taken away,
And his brave men they were all drowned.
7. "Go build me a ship," says Captain Charles Stewart,
"A ship both stout and sure,
And if I don't fetch this Andrew Bartin,
My life shall no longer endure."
8. He had not sailed but one long summer night,
When daylight did appear,
He saw a ship sailing far off and far round,
At last she came sailing quite near.
9. "Who art? Who art?" says Captain Charles Stewart,
"Who art comes sailing so nigh?"
"We are the bold robbers of merrie Scotland
Just please for to let us pass by."
10. "Pass by? pass by?" says Captain Charles Stewart,
"No, no, that never can be;
Your ship and your cargo I will take away,
And your brave men carry with me."
11. "Come on! come on!" says Andrew Bartin,
"I value you not one pin;
And though you are lined with good brass without,
I'll show you I've fine steel within."
12. Then they drew up a full broadside
And at each other let pour;
They had not fought for three hours or more,
When Captain Charles Stewart gave o'er.
13. "Go home! go home!" says Andrew Bartin:
"And tell your king from me,
That he may reign king of the merry dry land,
But that I will be king of the sea."