Billy Broke Bolts- C.E.G. (MA) 1924 Barry D and E
[My title. From "Notes and Queries" of the Boston Evening Transcript, reprinted in British Ballads From Maine, 1929. I'm combining version D and E. Barry suggests combining the versions to make a single complete version which would be similar to Child F.
R. Matteson 2015]
JOHN WEBBER
(cf. child 188)
D. In the same "Notes and Queries," June 11, 1924, a new correspondent, "C.E.G." writes, ..I shall be grateful for the missing lines and words of the following old song, and should also like to know its origin":
1 John Webber he is in prison so strong,
This day he is condemned to die.
. . . .
. . . .
2 "Oh, no, oh, no," then Billy replied,
"Oh, no, oh, no, this never can be;
Had I forty good fellows just like myself
I'd carry him off right manfully."
3 They mounted their horses and away they rode,
Away they rode so gallantly,
Until they all came to the high prison gates,
And there they all lighted so manfully.
4 Then Billy broke bolts and Billy broke bars,
And Billy broke all that came in his way,
Took little John Webber right under his arm
And carried him off so gallantly.
They mounted their horses and' away they rode,
Away they rode right gallantly,
Until they all came to the broad river's side,
And in they all plunged so . . .
"You are an old rogue," the sheriff he cried,
"You are an old rogue as ever I see!"
"I thank you for nothing," then Billy replied,
"You are an old fool for following me."
E.
To this query, "F.C.D." replied, June 28, 1924: "This seems to be the same ballad a part of which appeared lately in these columns, numbered 7516. It is traditional in my family, and I can add a few more lines."
1 "Oh, no, oh, no," then Billy replied,
"Oh, no, oh, no, that never shall be,
For I see the high Sheriff with his bounty-bountee
And a hundred men in his company."
2 "Oh, no, oh, no," John Webber then cried
"Oh, no, oh, no, that never can be,
For I've full twenty pounds of good Spanish iron
Betwixt my ankle and my knee.
3 "Remember me to my wife," said he,
"My wife that I love and children three;
For my horse grows lame, I cannot swim,
And this is the place where I must die."
4 "Oh, no, oh, no," then Billy he cried, etc.
"And this near the end":
5 "Give back my iron," the sheriff he cried,
'ooh, give me back my iron," said he.
6 "Oh, no, oh, no," then Billy replied,
"Oh, no, oh, no, that never shall be,
For the iron will do to shoe all our horses
And a blacksmith rides in our company."