The Undutiful Daughter- Baring-Gould (Devon) Version C; c. 1890 Child C c.
[Child C c. is a fragment. The note says, "The Rev. S. Baring-Gould has recently found this ballad in South Devon." Since 1890 is the date of this edition, it makes Rev. S. Baring-Gould c. 1890.]
The Undutiful Daughter; Baring-Gould Version C; (Bonnie Annie)- Child C c.
From an old man at Holne.
1 'T is of a sea-captain, down by the green willow,
He courted a damsel and brought her in trouble;
When gone her mother's good will and all her father's money,
She fled across the wide sea along with her Johnny.
2 They had not been sailing the miles they were many
Before she was delivered of a beautiful baby:
'O tie up my head! O and tie it up easy,
And throw me overboard, both me and my baby!'
3 She floated on the waves, and she floated so easy,
That they took her on board again, both she and her baby.
(The rest forgotten.)
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Excerpt: A Book of Folklore by S. Baring-Gould (1913) - Page 105
That the lot was used to determine a sacrifice we know from the story of Jonah. When the storm fell on the ship the sailors "said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah."
In very much--indeed in exactly the same way--it is determined who is to be thrown overboard in an old English ballad still sung by our peasantry:--
'Twas of a sea-captain came o'er the salt billow
He courted a maiden, down by the green willow.
"O take of your father his gold and his treasure!
O take of your mother her fee without measure."
The damsel robs her parents, and flies with the sea captain in his vessel.
And when she had sailed today and tomorrow,
She was wringing her hands, she was crying in sorrow.
And when she had sailed, the days were not many,
The sails were outspread, but of miles made not any.
They cast the black bullets as they sailed on the water;
The black bullet fell on the undutiful daughter.
Now who in the ship must go over the side, O!
O none save the maiden, the fair captain's bride O!
So the undutiful daughter is thrown overboard.