Mary Hamilton- Bell (WV) pre1975 Gainer
[From Patrick Gainer's book, Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills, 1975. Gainer's begins his notes below stating that "Mary Hamilton" is not very well known in West Virginia. He knows his collection buddy Carey Woofter found the only version and it was published by Combs in 1925. Cox, never found it, nor did Chappell, nor did Musick or the West Virginia Folklore Society-- only Woofter- and not to be outdone Gainer "found" a version too. Did he tell anyone about his incredibly rare find? Was it published in the JAF or West Virginia Folklore Journal. No-- too much scrutiny is never good for the ballad recreator.
It begins like Woofter's recreation and he wraps it up in two more stanzas then add the famous last stanza (missing in Woofter's version).
R. Matteson 2015]
MARY HAMILTON
(CHILD 173, "MARY HAMILTON")
"Mary Hamilton" is not well known in West Virginia tradition. I have heard it sung by young "folk singers," usually with guitar or autoharp accompaniment, who have learned the song from other "folk singers" by way of records and radio. The following version from Nicholas County is incomplete, but enough of the story is told to reveal to the listener that Mary Hamilton has thrown her illegitimate baby into the sea and she is hanged for the murder. Sung by Pearl Bell.
1. Word has gone through the kitchen,
And word has gone through the hall,
Mary Hamilton goes with child
To the highest steward of all.
2. She tied it in her apron,
And threw it in the sea,
Saying, "Lie you there, you little babe,
For you'll never see more of me."
3. The old queen came to Mary,
She heard the baby cry,
Then Mary was taken before the judge,
And there condemned to die.
4. Mary stood at the gallows high,
She never shed a tear.
The people came to see her die,
From her lips these words they did hear.
5. Last night there were four Mary's
Tonight there'll be but three,
There was Mary Seaton and Mary Beaton
And Mary Carmichael and me.