Merry Golden Tree- (Pine Mountain, KY) 1916 Wells
[From Wells, The Ballad Tree. Wells comments: This ballad, recovered in many parts of America, has passed from the broadside version (Child, 286) into tradition, losing on the way all reference to the alleged incident connected with Sir Walter Raleigh, and acquiring a romantic note in the denouement.
Compare to Jean Ritchie's version, same title.
R. Matteson 2014]
THE MERRY GOLDEN TREE- (The Golden Vanity, Child 286) As sung by children in the Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, Harlan County, Kentucky, to E. K. Wells, 1916.
1. There was a little ship, and she sailed upon the sea,
And she went by the name of the Merry Golden Tree.
As she sailed upon the low and the lonesome low,
As she sailed upon the lonesome sea.
2. There was another ship, and she sailed upon the sea,
And she went by the name of the Turkish Robberie,
As she sailed, etc.
3. There was a little sailor unto his captain said,
Oh captain, Oh captain, what will you give to me,
If I sink them in the low, etc.
4. Two hundred dollars I'll give unto you,
And my oldest daughter I will wed unto you,
If you sink them, etc.
5. He bowed upon his breast and away, swam he,
Till he came to the ship of the Turkish Robbery,
As she sailed, etc.
6. Then out of his pocket an instrument he drew,
And he bored nine holes for to let the water through,
As she sailed, etc.
7. Oh some had hats and some had caps,
And they tried for to stop them awful water-gaps
As she sailed, etc.
8. He bowed upon his back and away swam he,
Till he came to the ship of the Merry Golden Tree,
As she sailed, etc.
9. Oh captain, Oh captain, won't you take me on board,
Oh captain, Oh captain, won't you be as good as your word,
For I've sunk them, etc.
10. Oh no, I will neither take you on board,
Oh no, I will neither be as good as my word,
For I'm sailing, etc.
11. If it weren't for the love of your daughter and your men,
I would do unto you as I done unto them,
I would sink you, etc.
12. He bowed upon his breast and down sank he,
Farewell, farewell to the Merry Golden Tree.
For I'm sinking in the low and the lonesome low,
For I'm sinking in the lonesome sea.