| Author | Topic: Add: Sir William Gower | |
| dmcg | Posted - 27 Jul 08 - 06:22 am | |
A gay young sailor both stout and strong To a goodly vessel I do belong, Well carved and anchored so fine and rare And gallant sailors are loaded there. Our captain's name was Sir William Gower And his crew amounted to just four score, All seamen brave to cross the sea Bound for New York in Amerikee. Our captain in his cabin lay When a dreadful voice to him did say: Prepare thyself and thy ship's company For tomorrow night in the deep might lay. Our captain woke in a dreadful fright Being in the third watch of the night And to the bosun aloud did call Between the secret enclosed them all. Saying, Bosun, Bosun, let no one know What we poor sailors do undergo, But keep the secret but in thy breast And pray to God to give you rest. I killed my merchant a neighbour there, 'Twas all for the sake of his lady fair, I killed my wife and children three 'Twas all for the sake of jealousy. The gay young sailor he beared the blame, He was hung and quatered for the same. It is his ghost, I am afraid, This very night my heart betrayed. The sea run over us both fore and aft Till a very few men a-deck was left, And then our boatsman did declare Our captain was a murderer. The sea enraged all our ship's crew And overboard our captain threw; And the wind did cease and calm the sea And we sailed safe to Amerikee. Source: Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs, Vol 1, p 63, No 13, ed Maud Karpeles , Oxford University Press, 1974 Notes: Sung by Mrs Susan Williams (73) at Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset, 23 August 1905. See also version B. (related songs) | ||
| dmcg | Posted - 27 Jul 08 - 06:47 am | |
I'm a gay young sailor stout and strong. a bow like vessel I do belong, All carved in anchor so fine and rare, Our gallant seamen a lord did wear. Our captain's name was William Gower His crew amounted to just four score. Our seamen's brave as ever crossed the sea Bound for New York in Amerikee. Our captain in his cabin lay And a dreadful voice to him did say: Prepare yourself and ship's company For tomorrow night in the deep might lay. O boatsman, boatsman, don;t ley none know What we poor sailors do undergo, But keep my secrets in your breast And pray to God to give you rest. O boatsman, boatsman, it grieves my heart To think I've acted a villain's part By keeping that which was not my due, Starved my passengers and ship's crew. I killed my wife and children three, 'Twas all for the sake of jealousy. And a gay young sailor he beared the blame He was hanged and quartered for the same. It is his ghost, I am afraid, This very night my heart betrayed. The sea runs over us both fore and aft Till a very few men was left on the deck. At length our boatsman did declare Our captain was a strong murderer. The sea emerged all the ship's crew And overboard the captain threw. The wind did cease and calm the sea And we sailed safe to Amerikee. Source: Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs, Vol 1, p 63, No 13, ed Maud Karpeles , Oxford University Press, 1974 Notes: Sung by Mrs Betsy Prince (76) at Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset, 27 December 1905 See also version (A) (related links) | ||