William Guiseman- Christie 1865
The Editor noted this Air, note for note, from the singing of his children's nurse in 1865. Her copy of the Ballad, necessarily epitomized is given here, with some emendations from the one given in Kinlochs "Ancient Scottish Ballads'.' p. 156. Had it not been that the Editor has not seen this beautiful traditional Ballad Air, which is apparently English, in any of the Works on English music he has examined, he would not have inserted it, or the epitome of the Ballad, in this Work.
William Guiseman.
My name is William Guiseman,
In London I do dwell;
I did commit a great offence,
Which now is known full well;
I did commit a great offence,
Which now is known full well,
And for that great offence I must die!
As all the neighbours 'round us
Said I the deed had done;
I put my foot on good ship-board
My wretched fate to shun;
The ship she would not sail away,
But turned roun' and roun',
And for mine own offence I must die.
Then up bespak' the skipper's boy,
I wot he did speak high :—
"A sinful man's amongst us,
The sea will not obey!"
Then we cuist cavels us amang,
The cavel fell on me,
And so for mine offence I must die.
I have a loving mother
That of me took great care;
She would have given the good red gold
To buy me from the snare,
But gold it was no use to me,
And I must pay my share,
And now for mine offence I must die.