Andrew Bordeen- Bellows (NY) pre1934 Flanders A
[From Flanders' Ancient Ballads, 1965. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2013]
About "Andrew Bordeen"
Mrs. Silence Buck Bellows writes the following information in letters dated October 13, 1943, and July 24, 1953:
Some years ago, although we already knew it by heart, we asked our father to sing it carefully to us, and we wrote the words for preservation. I thought you might be interested in having a copy, which I am sending herewith. Yes, my father's (Oscar A. Buck) version of it is definitely out of New England. His father, who sang it to him, was born in Massachusetts. My own father was born in western New York State, where I myself was born. But my father's grandfather migrated to New York from Massachusetts early in the nineteenth century, bringing with him his wife and their children, all of the latter quite small, I believe. My grandfather told my father that his father used to sing it to him. So you see it was handed down in a New England family. My grandfather's name was Martin Buck, descended from Isaac Buck, who came to Massachusetts from England in the 1630's. Even if, at some early point in its American career, the song had been passed down through the maternal side, it would still be New England, because all the branches that came into our Buck family were definitely New England, the Russells, Winslows, Fennos, and Whartons. Our version of the song has to be New England, and, of course, further back, from England.
H. H. F., Collector
October 13, 1943
Structure: A B C D CD (2,2,2,2,2,2); Rhythm B; Contour; undulating; Scale: hexachordal
t.c. B flat. Note the 9/8 measure before the end and the small range (major sixth).
ANDREW BORDEEN- From Flanders, Ancient Ballads Traditionally Sung in New England, Volume 4, Version A. Collected from Mrs. Silence Buck Bellows, from her grandfather's singing.
There were three brothers in merry Scotland,
Three loving brothers were they,
And for to cast lots they did agree
To go robbing all 'round the salt sea;
And for to cast lots they did agree
To go robbing all 'round the salt sea.
The lot it fell on Andrew Bordeen,
The youngest of the three,
And for to maintain the other two,
He went robbing all 'round the salt sea;
And for to maintain the other two,
He went robbing all 'round the salt sea.
They had not sailed three long winter nights
Before a ship they espied,
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by;
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by.
"Who's there? Who's there" cries Andrew Bordeen.
"Who's there that sails so nigh"
"'Tis we, the rich merchants of merry England;
If there's no offense, let us pass by."
'Tis we, the rich merchants of merry England;
If there's no offense, let us pass by."
"Oh, no, oh, no," cries Andrew Bordeen.
"Oh, no, that ne'er shall be.
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll drown in the sea;
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll drown in the sea."
The news it came to King Henery,
The king that wore the crown.
The ship it was taken, the cargo boys,
The merrymen they were all drowned.
The ship it was taken, the cargo boys,
The merrymen they were all drowned.
"Go build a ship," says King Henery,
"And build it strong and sure,
And if Andrew Bordeen ye do not bring in,
My life shall no longer endure.
And if Andrew Bordeen ye do not bring in,
My life shall no longer endure."
The ship was built without delay,
As I do understand,
And Captain Charles Stuart was placed therein,
For to give the bold command;
And Captain Charles Stuart was placed therein,
For to give the bold command.
They had not sailed three long winter nights
Before a ship they espied,
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by;
A-sailing far off and a-sailing far off,
And at length she came sailing close by.
"Who's there? Who's there?" cries Captain Charles Stuart.
"Who's there that sails so nigh?"
" 'Tis we, the bold robbers of merry Scotland;
If there's no offense, let us pass by.
'Tis we, the bold robbers of merry Scotland;
If there's no offense, let us pass by."
"Oh, no, oh, no," cries Captain Charles Stuart.
"Oh, no, that ne'er shall be.
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll carry with me.
I'll have your ship and your cargo boys,
And your bodies I'll carry with me."
"Come on! Come on!" cries Andrew Bordeen.
"I care for ye not one pin.
For though ye are lined with cork without,
We are cork and steel within;
For though ye are lined with cork without,
We are cork and steel within."
"Broadsides! Broadsides!" they cried aloud.
The cannon loud did roar.
And Captain Charles Stuart took Andrew Bordeen;
He carried him to far England's shore.
And Captain Charles Stuart took Andrew Bordeen;
He carried him to far England's shore.
"Good news! Good news!" cries King Henery.
"Good news ye bring to me.
'Tis Andrew Bordeen shall be hanged this day,
And all of his company.
'Tis Andrew Bordeen shall be hanged this day,
And all of his company."