Ship Carpenter- George Baldwin (Hants) 1907 Gardiner
[From: George Gardiner Manuscript Collection (GG/1/12/712). The tune (upcoming) is nearly identical to No. 28 of 1905 and No. 463.
R. Matteson 2016]
Ship Carpenter- Sung by George Baldwin (50) of Tichbone, Alresford, Hampshire in June, 1907. Collectors: Gardiner and Gamblin
In fair Worcester city in Worcestershire
A handsome young damsel and she lived there
A handsome young man courted her to be his dear
And he was by trade a ship-carpenter.
Now the king wanted seamen to go to the sea,
Which caused the young damsel to sigh and to say:
"Oh, William, oh William, don't go to the sea
Remember the vows you made unto me."
It was early the next morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly, those words he did say:
"Oh Polly, oh Polly you must go with me,
Before we get married my friends for to see."
"It is true, it is true," those words he did say,
For all the long night I've been digging your grave,"
The grave it being open and a spade standing by,
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to cry.
"Oh, William, oh William, oh, pardon my life,
I never will covet to be your sweet wife,
I will travel the country to set you quite free,
Oh pardon, oh pardon, my baby and me."
"No pardon I'll give you, no time to stand,"
And with that he had a sharp knife in his hand,
He stabbed her through till the blood it did flow
Then into the fair grave her fair body did throw.
He covered her over so safe and secure,
A-thinking no one should find it, he was very sure,
Then he went on board, to sail the world 'round,
Before that the murder should ever be found.
It was early next morning before it was day,
Our captain came up, these words he did say:
"There's murder on board and it's lately been done,
Our ship she's in mourning, she cannot sail on."
Then up stepped one, and "Indeed it's not me."
Then up stepped another, the same he did say,
Then up stepped young William, to stamp and to swear.
"Indeed it's not me, I will vow and declare."
As he was returning from the captain with speed,
He met his own Polly, which made his heart bleed.
She ripped him, she tore him, she tore him in three
Saying, "William remember my baby and me."