Nancy's Ghost (Newcastle) c.1774 Angus broadside
["Nancy's Ghost" Harding B 17(207b) printed by Angus in Newcastle between 1774 to 1825. Notes by Jim Brown follow (Mudcat Forum 2016)
"Nancy's Ghost," a short ten stanza version, has not appeared in tradition in North America and Great Britain as "Polly's Love" did.
R. Matteson 2016]
Jim Brown: It looks to me as if someone has been trying to make a shorter song out of what they could remember of a longer version, but not as creatively as the author of "Polly's Love". Lines 5.3 and 5.4 are like the Scottish chapbook texts (some have "in my bloom" as here, and some have "in my youth"). The only lines that I don't think have a parallel in other texts we've looked at are 2.1, 2.2, 4.3 and 4.4.
NANCY'S GHOST (Broadside printed by Angus in Newcastle)
In Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell,
For wit and for beauty none could her excel.
A young man courted and loved her dear,
And he by trade was a ship-carpenter.
He had not long courted till this fair one prov'd kind,
When he sent for his true love to tell her his mind,
He said my dearest Nancy will you go with me,
Before we are married my friends for to see.
He led her thro' groves and valleys so deep,
Till the innocent fair one began for to fret.
I find my dear William you've led me astray.
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
That's true my dear Nancy the truth you've said
For I was up last night digging your grave,
Not far distant the grave's waiting for thee,
And I am resolved thy butcher to be.
O spare my life William, O spare but my life,
Let me run distracted and be not your wife,
Spare my life, least my soul you betray,
Must I in my bloom be hurried away.
He said there's no time for to argue nor stand,
With that a pen-knife he took in his hand,
And he pierced her body till the blood did flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
He covered her up then with the small mould,
And left none to mourn but birds and fowls,
Straight for the water he then took his way.
And entered a ship that was bound for sea.
One night in his cabin he chanced to lye,
The voice of his true love he heard passing by,
Saying, awake false William and hear,
The voice of your true love that lov'd you dear.
O talk not of valour nor courage so bold,
One night as he was going down to the hold,
A beautiful damsel to him did appear,
And she in her arms had a baby most fair.
The she did vanish with shrieks and loud cries,
And flashes of lightning flew from her eyes,
Saying, a ship out of Gosport never shall go,
Till I am revenged for my overthrow.