The Ghost Song- Sam Larner (Nor) c.1960 REC
[From the recording: Sam Larner--Cruising Round Yarmouth(MTCD369-0)-- their notes follow. Also recorded in 1961 "Now Is The Time For Fishing." This is similar to the broadside "Polly's Love."
R. Matteson 2016]
Sam Larner 1878 - 1965
Winterton in Norfolk has a long history as a sea-faring and fishing village; a once close-knit community where the great majority of the male population was involved in the fishing industry. Samuel James Larner was born in the village in 1878, one of nine children. Many families had been in the village for generations, most notably Greens, Georges, Goffins, Hayletts and Larners. All were interrelated and all had singers amongst them, and so Sam grew up in a community where traditional singing didn’t just happen but was very commonplace.
"The Ghost Song," sung by Sam Larner (1878-1965) of Winterton c. 1960.
Now the Queen she wants sailors
to sail on the sea,
Which made pretty Polly’s stout heart to bleed,
Saying “William, dear William,
don’t you go to sea.
Remember the vows that you made unto me.”
Now it was early next morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly, these words he did say,
Saying: “Polly, pretty Polly,
you must come along with me,
Before we are married, my friends for to see.”
He led her through groves
and through valleys so deep,
Which made pretty Polly to sigh and to weep,
Saying: “William, dear William,
you’ve led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.”
“Oh, yes, dearest Polly, ‘tis true all thou hast said,
For all this long night I’ve
been digging
your grave,”
And the grave being open
and the spade standing by,
Which made pretty Polly to weep and to say.
“Oh, pardon, dear William, my innocent life,
I never will regret for to be your dear wife;
I’ll travel the country over, all for to set you free,
Remember the vows that you made unto me.”
“No pardon, no pardon, no pardon I’ll give.”
And with that he drew out a long-daggered knife;
He stabbed her to the heart
‘til the blood did then flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
Now he buried her securely
in Upwall quite sound,
Not thinking this body would ever be found;
He then went on board for a sailor to go,
Not thinking this murder would ever out-throw.
Now ‘twas early one morning before it was day,
Our captain came up and these words he did say:
“Our ship she’s in mourning and cannot sail on,
There’s a murder on board
which has lately been done.”
Now up jumped a sailor, “Indeed it’s not me!”
Then up jumped another, the same he did say;
Then up jumped bold William,
to stamp and to swear,
“Indeed it’s not me, sir, I vow and declare.”
Now he hastened to the fore-castle with speed,
And he met his pretty Polly
which made his heart bleed;
She ripped him, she stripped him,
she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
Spoken: That’s "The Ghost Song"