Ship's Carpenter- Mrs. Case (Dor) 1907 Hammond
[From: Henry Hammond Manuscript Collection (HAM/5/34/26) Notebook D. VIII, p. 39.
R. Matteson 2016]
Ship's Carpenter- Sung by Mrs. Case of Sydling Street, Nicholas in Dorset--Sept., 1907. Collector: Hammond, H.E.D.
In Worcester city in fair Worcestershire
There was a young damsel and she dwelled there
A handsome young man he courted her for[1] his dear
And he by his trade was a ship's carpenter.
. . . .[2]
Which caused. . . .
Oh! Billy, dear billy, you've a led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.
That's true, that's true, these words you have said,
For it's all this long night I've been digging your grave,"
The grave being open and a spade standing by,
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to cry.
"Oh! pardon, Oh! pardon, Oh! pardon my life,
I'll never once covet for to be your wife,
I'll travel the wide world to set your life free,
If you will but pardon my baby and me."
"No pardon, no pardon, no time to delay,
I can't stay so long with my knife in my hand,"
Then he pierced her heart till the blood trinkled
And into the grave her fair body threw he.
He covered her over so safe and so sound,
Not thinking this murder could ever be found
Then he went on board, the world to sail 'round,
Before that this murder could ever be found.
One morning, one morning before it was day,
Our captain stepped up and these words he did say:
"There is murder on board and it has just been done,
Our ship she's in mourning, she will not sail on."
Then up stepped one, and "Indeed it's not me."
Then up stepped another, "Nor it is not me,"
Then up stepped young Billy, to stamp and to swear.
"Indeed it's not me sir, I vow and declare."
As he was returning from the captain full speed,
He met his dear Polly, which made his heart bleed.
She rent him, she tore him, she rent him in three
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
1. MS has "her"
2. Missing lines:
He led her through groves and valleys so deep
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to weep;