A Catalogue and Collection 
of 
Anglo-American Female Warrior Ballads 
by 
Dianne Dugaw 
University of Oregon 
Appendices I and II, and Bibliography of 
"The Female Warrior Heroine in Anglo-American Balladry" 
(PhD Dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, 1982) 
APPENDIX I 
A Catalogue and Collection 
of Anglo-American Female Warrior Ballads 
340 
Appendi~ ! consists of a catalogue and representative 
examples of the collection of 113 female warrior ballads 
upon which I have based my study. I have arranged the 
ballads according to the formal and structural categories 
which I discussed in Chapter III, "The Structure of the 
Female Warrior Ballads.'' The ballads irt Appendix I are 
grouped as follows: 
I. Discourse Ballads 
A. Dialogue-Debates (No. 1-25) 
B. Statements of Intention (No. 26-32) 
II. Discourse-Narrative Ballads (No. 33-48) 
III. Narrative Ballads 
A. Ballads of Parental Intervention in 
a Courtship (No. 49-70) 
B. Ballads in which the Heroine Disguises 
Herself to Accompany or Pursue Her 
Beloved (No. 71-100) 
C. Ballads in which the Heroine Disguises 
Herself because of Her Patriotism or 
Her Desire for Adventure (No. 101-107) 
IV. Miscellaneous Ballads (No. 108-113) 
The order of the individual ballads in Appendix! exactly 
follows my treatment of them in terms of the female war-
rior structural system. 
341 
Each ballad entry in Appendix! consists of three 
sections: (1) a descriptive overview, (2) a list of 
sources and references, and (3) a representative text or 
texts. The descriptive overview for each ballad begins 
with the number of the ballad in my collection, the 
title by which I refer to the ballad, and a Laws symbol or 
Child number if the ballad is found in G. Malcolm Laws' 
American Balladry from British Broadsides or Francis J. 
Child's English and Scottish Popular Ballads. An example 
illustrating this arrangement is: 58. Jack Monroe (N-7). 
Following this title, I list other titles under which I 
have found printed, folksong, or manuscript versions of 
the ballad. If a tune has been indicated for the ballad 
on a broadside version, I give the title at this point. 
I then present the first stanza of the ballad and a brief 
summary of the entire piece. 
The list of sources and references for each ballad 
consists of (I) Sources, (II) Catalogue references, and 
(III) Comments. The Sources for an individual ballad 
may include (A) Printed Versions, (B) Folksong Versions, 
and (C) Manuscript Versions. (However, most of the 
ballads have been found in only one or two of these forms.) 
For all three categories I give first the unpublished 
sources for individual versions and then the published 
ones. For the Printed Versions I enter first the items 
I have found in archives, beginning with the three princi-
342 
pal sources for my materials, Harvard, New York Public 
Library, and the Library of Congress, followed by the 
other archive sources (in alphabetical order). In citing 
the materials I have derived from the archives, I include 
the collection in which I have found a version of the 
ballad, the imprint on the broadside or chapbook, my 
estimation of the date the item was printed, and the 
name of the printer if it is not on the imprint. Thus, 
a citation indicating a broadside version of a song in a 
collection at Harvard appears as follows: 
Harvard, 
25242.25, 102v 
Printed and sold at 60 Old-st. 
(G. Pigott, 1803-30) 
After I give the archive sources for the printed ver-
sions of the ballads, I then give published sources. For 
these I provide the author's last name or a short-title 
reference to the work (if it is a large collection or 
has no author), the volume and page number, the imprint 
of the broadside (if the author has included it), and my 
estimation of the date of the original printing of the 
version of the ballad. Thus, an entry citing a broadside 
version I have found in The Euing Collection £i. English 
Broadside Ballads in the Library of the University of 
Glasgow appears as follows: 
Euing Ballads, 179 
London, Printed for Sarah Tyus, at the 
three Bibles on London-Bridge. (1665) 
343 
Similarly, the Folksong Versions of the ballads are 
arranged into unpublished and published sources. I cite 
the American archives first, then the English, the Scot-
tish, and the Irish, giving for each item from an archive 
the collection number, and the place and date the version 
was collected. Thus, a folksong version from the Library 
of Congress appears as follows: 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
2905B2/2906Al (Tenn., 1939) 
The published sources for the folksong versions include 
books, periodicals, theses, and commercial recordings. 
Books and thesis collections are cited by the name of 
the editor or author unless the person has produced more 
than one collection, in which case I add a short-title 
reference. I include in the citation the page on which 
the ballad is found. Thus, a folksong version from Louis 
W. Chappell's Folk-Songs~ Roanoke and the Albemarle 
(Morgantown, West Virginia: The Ballad Press, 1939) 
appears as follows: 
Chappell, 120. 
A ballad from the second volume of Cecil Sharp's English 
Folk-Songs from the Southern Appalachians, ed. Maud Kar-
peles. 2 Vols. (London: Oxford University Press, 1932) 
appears as follows: 
Sharp, English Folk-Songs from Southern 
Appalachians, II, 139 
344 
Ballads found in periodicals I cite by including the 
name of the periodical, the volume number, and the page. 
The names of frequently cited journals are abbreviated. 
Thus, a ballad found on page 25 of the second volume of 
the Journal of the Folk Song Society appears: JFSS, IT, 
25. Recordings are cited by company and number, and I in-
dicate that the item is a recording. The published folk-
song references are arranged in the same way the archives 
are listed, with the American collections followed by the 
English, the Scottish, the Irish and the Australian ones. 
Within these categories the collections are alphabetized. 
I list the manuscript versions of the ballads in the 
same arrangement as the printed and folksong versions. Un-
published items from archives precede those versions which 
can be found in edited and published form. All the sources 
for my collection of female warrior ballads are listed in 
Section I of my Bibliography, "Sources for the Collection 
of Female Warrior Ballads (Appendix.!)," pp. 997-1024. 
The catalogue references for each ballad fall into five 
categories: (1) well-known general indices such as Don-
ald Wing's Short Title Catalogue£!. Books and Clifford 
Shipton and James Mooney's National Index of American 
Imprints through 1800; (2) indices which provide informa-
tion on particular aspects of the ballads such as Claude 
Simpson's The British Broadside Ballad and Its Music (New 
345 
Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1966), 
an index of broadside ballad tunes, and Hyder Rollins' 
"Analytical Index" which indicates when a printer regis-
tered a ballad title; (3) catalogue surveys of folksong 
materials from a particular region or of a particular type 
such as D.K. Wilgus and Eleanor Long's "Catalogue of Irish 
Traditional Narrative Songs in English," and Laws' Ameri-
can Balladry from British Broadsides; (4) broadside print-
ers' catalogues which provide information on the dating 
and circulation of a ballad; and (5) catalogues to speci-
fic archive collections, such as Frances Thomson's New-
castle Chapbooks in Newcastle upon Tyne University Library. 
(I have omitted in my citations in this category, cata-
logues which do not reflect the actual holdings of a li-
brary, for example, C. Welsh and W.H. Tillinghast's Cata-
logue~ English and American Chapbooks and Broadsides in 
Harvard College Library [Cambridge, Massachusetts: Li-
brary of Harvard University, 1905; rpt Detroit: Singing 
Tree Press, 1968).) With the catalogue citations I pro-
vide cross-referencing in general research indices as well 
as in more specific research guides. Both kinds of indices 
yield useful information on the age and circulation of the 
ballad, the tune, the author, other versions of it, and so 
on. Section II of my Bibliography, "Catalogue References 
for the Collection of Female Warrior Ballads (Appendix 1)," 
(pp. 1025-8) lists the catalogues I cite in Appendix I. 
346 
The third section of each ballad entry in App~rtdix ! 
consists of a representative text or texts of the ballad. 
If I have found little variation from one version of the 
ballad to another, I include a single text, giving the 
title under which I found it, the text itself with no 
editorial changes, and the source. If I have found a 
ballad in versions which vary substantially from one 
another, I include several texts of the ballad to illus-
trate the range of this variation. For each text I in-
elude the title under which I found it and the source. 
347 
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF BALLAD TITLES 
Banks of the Nile (N-9), 15. 
- -- ---
Billy and Nancy's Kind Parting (K-14), 
Billy and Nancy's Parting (N-8), 10. 
Billy and Polly, 14. 
Bonny Lassie's Answer, 16. 
Bonny Mally Stewart, 48. 
Bonny Sailor~. 63. 
Bristol Bridegroom, 54. 
Cabin Boy, 76. 
Canada-I-0, 83. 
Captain£!. Love, 77. 
7 . 
Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold (N-17), 43. 
Chester Garland, 113. 
Cotiscionable Couple, 29. 
Cotistance and Anthony, 38. 
Constant Fe~ale (N-12), 68. 
Constant Lover£!. Worcestershire, 56. 
Constant Lovers (N-6), 61. 
Discourse between a Soldier and His Love, 5. 
Drum Ma.jar, 95. 
Dublin Tragedy, 84. 
Duke£!. Argyle (N-1), 34. 
Fair Ellen, 60. 
Faithful Ellen, 42. 
348 
Faithful Lovers Farewell, 2. 
Faithless Captain, 79. 
Famous Woman Drummer, 98. 
Female Captain, 110. 
Female Drummer, 106. 
Female Pressgang, 111. 
Female Rambling Sailor, 94. 
Female Sailor, 92. 
Female Sailor (Ann Jane Thornton), 93. 
Female Sailor Bold (N-3), 91. 
Female Smuggler, 107. 
Female Soldier, 104. 
Female Tar (I), 13. 
Female Tar (II), 64. 
Female Volunteer (I) ' 102. 
Female Volunteer (II), 109. 
Female Warrior (I), 100. 
Female Warrior (II) (N-4), 88. 
Frolicsome Maid, Who Went to Gibralter, 87. 
Gallant She-Souldier, 99. 
George's Quay, 73. 
Handsome Cabin Boy (N-13), 105. 
Happy Couple (N-15), 75. 
Henry and Mary Ann, 47. 
Henry and Nancy, 17. 
High Germany, 22. 
349 
Highland Soldier, 24 • 
.! Wish the Wars Were All Over, 32. 
Isle~ Wight, 50. 
Jack Monroe (N-7), 58. 
James and Flora, 36. 
Johnny and Molly, 12. 
Lady Leroy (N-5), 66. 
Lady Turned Soldier, 96. 
Lancashire Heras, 90. 
London Heiress, 57. 
London Merchant, (M-19), 69. 
Love and Glory, 71. 
Lover's Lamentation for the Girl He Left Behind Him; and 
Her Answer, 27. 
Loyal Lovers Garland, 52. 
Loyal Soldiers Courtship, 21. 
Maiden Sailor, 97. 
Maids Lamentation in Bedlam, 28. 
Mariners Misfortune, 37. 
Mary Ambree, 89. 
Mary's Fate, 81. 
Maudlin, The Merchant's Daughter of Bristol, 49. 
!!¥_ Willy Was A Sailor Bold, 74. 
Nancy's Love, 25. 
New York Streets (N-10), 59. 
On Board of a Man-of-War, 46. 
Paisley Officer (N-2), 39. 
350 
Philadelphia: Lass, 45. 
Ploughboy (M-24), 67. 
Polly Oli•er (N-14), 65. 
Poor Peggy, 80. 
Protestant Commander, 3. 
Protestant Souldier and His Love, 4. 
Rose of Britain'~ Isle (N-16), 62. 
Rose the Red and White Lily (Child 103), 70. 
Sailor £E_ the Sea, 78. 
Scotch Virago, 30. 
Seaman £!._ Dover, 51. 
Seamans Doleful Farewel, 6. 
Soldier's Bride, 112. 
Soldiers Delight, 44. 
Soldiers Farewel ~ His Love, 9. 
Soldier's Farewell to Manchester (0-33), 23. 
Song E.i_ Marion's Men, 72. 
Susan's Adventures in a British Man-of-War, 86. 
Tragical Ballad, 53. 
True Lovers, 18. 
Undaunted Female, 33. 
Undaunted Sailor, 11. 
Undaunted Seaman, 1. 
Valiant Commander, With His Resolute La:dy, 31. 
Valiant Damsel, 103. 
Valiant Maidens, 108. 
351 
Valiant Virgin, 55. 
Wandering Virgin, 26. 
William and Harriet (M-7), 40. 
William and Nancy's Parting, 8. 
William and Phillis, 41. 
William of the Man-of-War, 19. 
William of the Royal Waggon Train, 20. 
William Taylor (N-11), 82. 
Woman Warrier, 101. 
Wounded Nancy's Return, 85. 
Young Henry of the Raging Main, 35. 
352 
I. DISCOURSE BALLADS 
A. Dialogue-Debates (No. 1-25) 
353 
1. THE UNDAUNTED SEAMAN 
The Undaunted Seaman; Who Resolved to 
Fight for His King and Country: Together 
with His Love's Sorrowful Lamentation at 
their Departure. 
To the Tune of, I often for my Jenny strove 
My Love I come to take my leave, 
Yet prithee do not sigh and grieve; 
On the wide Ocean I will fight, 
For to maintain the Nation's Right: 
Under Noble Chief Commanders, 
I resolve to take my Chance; 
On Board I'll enter, Life I'll venture, 
To subdue the Pride of France. 
She bids him "be not unkind," for she fears she shall never 
see him again. He replies that he hopes "to be as safe as 
here," and, not wanting to be a coward, he will "venture 
to subdue the Pride of France." She offers to "part with 
Gold and Silver. . Another person to Emply." He says, 
"My thinks the work cannot be done, Except I do in Person 
go." He maintains that the "Royal English Fleet, With the 
Dutch Navy" will "drive the Rogues." She says with "Sighs 
and Tears" that she "in Sailers Robes" will "be array'd" 
to go along with him. He says that her "soft and tender 
milk-white hand, Seamen's labour cannot do," and he will 
leave "Gold and Treasure" to "maintain" her. She laments 
his going, but, though "bitterly she did Complain, Her 
Sighs and Tears were all in vain" as "with sweet Salutes 
they parted." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.68/pEB-B65H, ri, 278r 
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. 
Blare and J. Back (1682-96) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 551 
II. CATALOGUES 
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. 
Blare and J. Back (1682-96) 
British Museum, Vol. 218, p. 53 Lamson, "My love" 
Crawford, 839 
Wing, U40 Simpson, p. 345 
354 
THE UNDAUNTED SEAMAN 
The Undaunted Seaman; 
Who resolved to Fight for his King and Country: 
Together with His Love's Sorrowful Lamentation 
at their Departure. 
To the Tune of, I often for my Jenny strove. 
Licensed according to Order. 
My Love I come to take my leave, 
Yet prithee do not sigh and grieve; 
On the wide Ocean I will fight, 
For to maintain the Nation's Right: 
Under Noble Chief Commanders, 
I resolve to take my Chance; 
On Board I'll enter, Life I'll venture, 
To subdue the Pride of France. 
My dear, said she, be not unkind, 
I shall no Peace nor Comfort find, 
My very heart will break for thee, 
If thus we must divided be: 
While thou art with Foes surrounded, 
Where the loud-mouth'd Cannons roar; 
This Warlike Action breeds Distraction, 
I shall never see thee more. 
Let no such fear attend my Dear, 
I hope to be as safe as here; 
For King and Country's good I'll stand, 
And vow to fight with heart and hand; 
None but Cowards fear to venture, 
Freely will I take my chance; 
On board I'll enter, Life I'll venture 
To subdue the Pride of France. 
The Youthful Damsel then did cry, 
I'll part with Gold and Silver too, 
Another person to Emply, 
that may be better spar'd than you: 
Never shall I be contented, 
While you leave your Native shore; 
This warlike Action breeds Distraction, 
I shall never see thee more. 
My Dear all hazards will I run, 
My thinks the work cannot be done, 
Except I do in Person go, 
To Face that Perjur'd Potent Foe: 
355 
We have Warlike Sons of Thunder, 
Which will Valiantly advance 
To the wide Ocean, for Promotion, 
And to check the Pride of France. 
My Dear, the Royal English Fleet, 
With the Dutch Navy will compleat 
The Work, which fairly is begun, 
We fear not but Monsieur will run; 
For we'll drive the Rogues before us, 
Teach them such an English Dance, 
While they retire, still we'll fire, 
Check the growing Pride of France. 
With Sighs and Tears this Damsel said, 
If you resolve to go to Sea, 
In Sailers Robes I'll be array'd, 
And freely go along with thee: 
Life and Fortune I will Venture, 
Rather than to stay on Shore; 
Grief will oppress me, and possess me, 
That I ne'er shall see thee more. 
Said he, My Dearest stay on Land, 
Such idle Fancies ne'r pursue, 
Thy soft and tender milk-white hand, 
Seamen's labour cannot do: 
Here I leave both Gold and Treasure, 
To maintain my Dear on Shore; 
But still She crying and replying, 
I shall never see thee more. 
Thy Gold's no more than Dross to me, 
Alas! my heart is sunk full low, 
The want of thy sweet Company, 
Will surely prove my Overthrow: 
Therefore dearest do not leave me 
Here tormented, on the Shore; 
Let us not sever, love for ever, 
Lest I ne'er shall see thee more. 
Tho' bitterly she did Compalin, 
Her Sighs and Tears were all in vain, 
He would not suffer her to go, 
So many Cares and Griefs to know: 
But with sweet Salutes they parted, 
She was left with Tears on Shore; 
Here often crying and replying, 
I shall never see him more. 
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare and J. Back. 
. r 
Harvard, 25242.68/pEB-B65H, II, 278 
356 
2. THE FAITHFUL LOVERS FAREWELL 
The Faithful Lovers Farewell: Or, Private Newes 
from Chatham Described in a passionate Discourse 
betweixt a young Gentleman whose name was Iohn, 
and his fair Lady Betty, who having been newly 
Contracted, were suddenly Seperated before Marriage, 
in regard that he was instantly Commanded to take 
Shipping in an Expedition against the Dutch. 
To the Tune of, My Lodging Is On The Cold Ground, &c. 
As I in a Meddow was walking, 
some two or three Weekes ago, 
I heard two Lovers a Talking, 
and trampling too and fro; 
The Female her name was Betty, 
her dearly Belov'd was Ion, 
And both of them wonderous pretty, 
(Ile tell you the rest anon.) 
Iohn "now doth intend to do tall things, by Engageing 
against the Dutch," and Betty complains that he should be 
leaving her "pyning in sorrow distressed upon the Shore." 
He says he will bring her "Wealth & Honor" and that he can-
not support her well as things are. She protests that the 
battle will "be very bloudy" and that he will "either be 
drowning or burning in Crimson Waves of Gore." Iohn exhorts 
her to "be an obedient Wife" and says that "The Duke of 
Yorke ventures his life" even though he loves his wife. 
Those that trample on authority must be punished and thus, 
"the Dutch-man was ever a Traitor'; and he and his comrades 
will "beat the Belgick-Boobies." She says that she·will 
put on "a Masculine Case, and pass for one of [his] Men." 
He says that she will only hinder him, citing the case "when 
Cleopatra put to Sea Mark Anthony lost the day." She says 
she will pray for him, and "thus sad and heavy hearted. 
these faithfull Lovers parted. . before they came to the 
Marriage Bed." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Euing Ballads, 179 
London, Printed for Sarah Tyus, at the three 
Bibles on London-Bridge (1665) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 544 
London, Printed for Sarah Tyus, at the three 
Bibles on London-Bridge (1665) 
357 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wing, F275 Simpson, 498 
358 
THE FAITHFUL LOVERS FAREWELL 
The Faithful Lovers Farewell: Or, Private Newes From Chatham 
Described in a passionate Discourse betweixt a young 
Gentleman whose name was Iohn, and his fair Lady 
Betty, who having been newly Contracted, were suddenly 
Seperated before Marriage, in regard that he was 
instantly Commanded to take Shipping in an Expedition 
against the Dutch. 
To the Tune of, My Lodging Is On The Cold Ground, &c. 
As I in a Meddow was walking, 
some two or three Weekes ago, 
I heard two Lovers a Talking, 
and trampling too and fro; 
The Female her name was Betty, 
her dearly Belov'd was Iohn, 
And both of them wonderous pretty, 
(Ile tell you the rest anon.) 
These Lovers were both combined 
in mutual bonds of Love, 
But Iohn was straightly injoyned 
a little while to remove, 
From her he did love above all things, 
his fervent desire was such; 
He now doth intend to do tall things, 
By Engageing against the DUTCH. 
BETTY. 
Twas Betty that first complained, 
Oh! why will you use me so, 
As soon as affection is gained, 
so speedily can you go, 
And leave me in pyning sorrow 
distressed upon the Shore; 
If you do depart to Morrow 
I never shall see thee more. 
IOHN. 
My dear (quoth Iohn) be not daunted, 
(and smilingly look'd upon her) 
My Service it cannot be wanted, 
I'le bring thee both Wealth & Honor; 
I cannot now well support thee, 
and live like other Men: 
But with Gold and silver I will Court thee 
When I come a Shore agen. 
359 
BETTY. 
(Quoth Betty) some other way studdy 
to live with mee here on Shore; 
The Battail will be very bloudy, 
when all the great Guns do Roare, 
Thou'lt either be drowning or burning 
in Crimson Waves of Gore, 
Whilst I sit here in my mourning, 
And never shall see thee more. 
IOHN. 
Quoth Iohn, prethee leave thy dreaming 
and be an obedient Wife, 
I scorn that a Butter-box Flemming 
should vapour away my Life; 
The Duke of Yorke ventures his life too 
with all his Royalty; 
He's a Prince that doth love his wife too 
I warrant as well as I. 
Good Princes are great Examples 
for Loyal hearts to follow: 
He that on Authority tramples, 
I wish the Sea may swallow. 
The Dutch-man was ever a Traitor 
against their Soveraign; 
We will make it cost him hott water 
E're I come a Shore againe. 
Wee'l beat the Belgick-Boobies, 
and gain their Guinny-Gold, 
I'le bring the home Pearls and Rubies 
as many as my Ship will hold; 
I'le make my Betty shine Splendid 
with Treasuries of the Main, 
And royally be attended 
When I come a Shore again. 
BETTY. 
Then Betty with a whimpring face 
return'd these words agen, 
I'le put me on a Masculine Case, 
and pass for one of your Men; 
I'le swear (if you'l believe me) 
I'le fear no Wind nor Weather, 
For I know it never will grieve me 
If both of us dye together. 
360 
IOHN. 
My Dear, I prethee leave pleading, 
thou shalt not to Sea with me, 
For I can tell by my reading 
it will not convenient be, 
Thou rather wilt hurt, and hinder me, 
when we begin the Fray, 
When Cleopatra put to Sea 
MARK ANTHONY lost the day. 
My very soul presages, 
we shall be Victorious Men, 
And cut out worke for Stages 
when we returne agen. 
Bett. Quoth she, I'le daily pray for thee 
and every Power implore. 
Ioh. Ile fight (qd. he) Oh then quoth she 
I never shall see the more. 
IOHN. 
Said he, this Kiss a farewell gives 
my time is drawing on, 
He needs must go whom Honour drives. 
Bett. Quoth she, adieu sweet Iohn. 
Ioh. Quoth he, I'le make thee a Lady bright 
I prethee then dry thine eye: 
There's many a wight is made a Knight 
As little deserves as I. 
Thus sad and heavy hearted 
(their Kisses wash'd with tears) 
These faithfull Lovers parted, 
no case so sad as theirs; 
Before they came to the Marriage Bed, 
(so wofull is this Ditty) 
E're she had lost her Maiden-head, 
Alack, the mare's the pitty. 
FINIS. 
WITH ALOWANCE. LONDON, Printed for SARAH TYUS, at the three 
Bibles on LONDON-BRIDGE. 
Euing Ballads, p. 179 
361 
3. THE PROTESTANT COMMANDER 
The Protestant Commander, or, a Dialogue between 
him and his loving Lady, at his departure hence 
with his Majesty King William, for the expedition 
in Ireland. 
To the tune of Let Caesar live long 
Farewell, my sweet lady, my love, and delight, 
Under great King William in person I'll fight; 
Wherefore for awhile I must leave thee behind, 
Yet let not my absence, love, trouble thy mind: 
In Dublin city our king we'll proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
He says that they will rout the French and the Irish and 
crown King William "with trophies of honour and fame." She 
offers to go with him that she may "flourish" a sword, "his 
name to proclaim." She says she will appear "in bright shin-
ing armour." He agrees to let her go but says she should 
not go "like a souldier" for "the court is more fit than the 
camp for my dear." She insists that she will go with him, 
for she is "ready some succour to yield" should he be 
wounded. The ballad ends with two stanzas proclaiming the 
conquering intentions of King William and the imminent de-
feat of the French, the Tories, and the "poor Teagues." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Croker, Historical Songs, 53 
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon (1682-96) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Simpson, 434 
III. COMMENTS 
Croker says that the ballad was copied from "a collect-
tion of ballads and broadsides, in two vols. folio, in the 
British Museum." The remainder of the imprint is missing, 
but it probably included "J, Blare and J. Black." (pp.52-53) 
362 
• 
• 
• 
e 
• 
• 
• 
THE PROTESTANT COMMANDER 
The Protestant Commander, or, a Dialogue between him and his 
loving Lady, at his departure hence with his Majesty King 
William for the expedition in Ireland. 
To the tune of "Let Caesar live long." 
Licensed according to order. 
Farewell, my sweet lady, my love, and delight, 
Under grat King William in person I'll fight; 
Wherefore for awhile I must leave thee behind, 
Yet let not my absence, love, trouble thy mind: 
In Dublin city our king we'll proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
An army we have of true Protestant boys, 
Who fears not the French nor the Irish, dear joys; 
We'll freely salute them with powder and ball, 
Till we have utterly routed them all; 
The sword of King William his name shall proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame • 
Love, let me go with thee, the lady reply'd, 
I freely can venture to die by thy side; 
A heart of true courage I bear in my breast, 
Therefore for King William I vow and protest, 
A sword I will flourish his name to proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
I'll strip off these jewels and rings which I wear, 
And other apparel in brief I'll prepare; 
In bright shining armour I then will appear, 
And march in the field by the side of my dear; 
The conquering sword shall King William proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
My jewel, if thou hast a mind to go o'er 
Along with thy love to the Irish shore; 
I freely will give my consent to this thing, 
Yet not like a souldier to fight for the king: 
His army is able his name to proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame • 
363 
The court is more fit than the camp for my dear, 
Where beautiful ladies in glory appear; 
While soldiers of fortune must fight in the field, 
Until they have made the proud enemy yield. 
The conquering sword shall King William proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
My dearest, said she, I'll to Ireland go, 
I value not courts, neither fear I the foe; 
Thy presence will yield my both joy and delight; 
I'll wait in thy tent till, returning from fight, 
The conquering sword does King William proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
If thou shouldst be wounded, my dear, in the field, 
Then shall I be ready some succour to yield. 
'Tis true, my sweet lady, he straitways reply'd, 
Thy earnest desire shall not be deny'd; 
Our conquering sword shall King William proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
The French and the Tories King William will rout, 
From city to castle he'll course them about; 
We'll make the poor Teagues to quite change their tone, 
From Lilli burlero to Ah! hone, ah! hone. 
With conquering sword we'll King William proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
The Frenchmen the height of our fury shall feel, 
We'll chase them with swords of true-tempered steel; 
They, food for the ravens and crows shall be made, 
And teach them hereafter that land to invade. 
Then through the whole nation our king we'll proclaim, 
And crown him with trophies of honour and fame. 
Printed for P. Brooksby. J. Deacon. 
Croker, Historical Songs of Ireland, I, 53-55. 
364 
4. A PROTESTANT SOULDIER AND HIS LOVE 
A Protestant Souldier, And his Love: The Damsels 
Resolution at Length to take up Arms against the 
Irish Rebels for the true Enjoyment of her Dear. 
To the Tune of, Liggan Water: Or, Glory of London-Derry 
Love I come to take my leave, 
Yet, I would not have thee grieve; 
Tho' we must divided be, 
I will be Loyal, Love, to thee. 
She responds that his leaving will break her heart, and she 
pleads with him to stay. He says he is "listed," and she 
offers to go to his "Collonel" to ask for his discharge. 
He declares his intention to fight, and she offers to go 
with him. He questions her, and finally they agree, and 
she is listed, "not a Person knowing there, that she was a 
Damsel fair." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepys Ballads, IV, 350 
Printed for I. Blare, at the Looking[Glass] 
on London-Bridge (1683-1706) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Simpson, pp. 457, 459, 505 
III. COMMENTS 
Rollins notes that "the ballad was evidently written 
about August, 1689, after the government had decided 
to send Duke Schomberg to subdue Ireland." (Pepys 
Ballads, IV, 350) 
365 
PROTESTANT SOULDIER, AND HIS LOVE 
Protestant Souldier, and His Love; 
The Damsels Resolution at length to take up 
Arms against the Irish Rebels for the true 
Enjoyment of her Dear. 
To the Tune of, Liggan Water: Or, Glory of London-Derry. 
Licensed according to Order. 
Love I come to take my leave, 
Yet I would not have thee grieve; 
Tho' we must divided be, 
I will be Loyal, Love, to thee. 
A most Noble Armed Band, 
Will away to Ireland, 
Where the French and Teagues shall know, 
That we have strength to lay them low. 
Then this fair and vertuous Maid, 
To her loving Soldier said, 
It will surely break my heart, 
If that my Dear and I must part. 
Prithee stay at home with me, 
Where you will in safety be; 
Go not to the Irish Shore, 
For fear I never see thee more. 
I am Listed, Love, he cry'd, 
Therefore now what e're betide, 
I will with the Army go, 
To prove the Rebels overthrow. 
Thirty thousand Men, my dear, 
Will in shining Arms appear, 
Who with speed will march away, 
I hope to fare as well as they. 
Love, I'll to your Collonel go, 
He may so much pitty show, 
As to discharge you for my sake, 
When as he hears the moan I make. 
366 
Twenty pounds I have in store, 
Nay, and had I ten times more, 
Every Groat I'de freely give, 
So thou at home with me might live. 
Love, thy Tears are all in vain, 
I at home will not remain, 
But will to the Wars with speed, 
And fight while I have drop to bleed. 
Can I hear great Ireland, 
On the brink of Ruin stand, 
Protestants for succour call 
And yet be not concern'd at all. 
No, we'll make the Romans yield, 
Our sharp Swords shall Reap the Field, 
Since our Cause is just and right, 
My dear, I'll never fear to Fight. 
If my Tears will not prevail, 
But to Ireland you'll Sail, 
Let me so much favour find, 
Not left to languish here behind. 
Whensoe're you march away, 
In this Land I will not stay, 
But thy true Comrade will be, 
And freely live or dye with thee. 
My sweet Iewel say not so, 
If along with me you go, 
In that Land you'll hardship find, 
And likewise strangers most unkind. 
Love, I prize thy presence so, 
That I am resolv'd to go, 
Being still with thee my dear, 
There's nothing in the world I fear. 
These two Lovers straight agreed, 
And she Listed was with speed, 
Not a Person knowing there, 
That she was then a Damsel fair. 
367 
With her love in Field she'll fight, 
In rich shining Armour bright, 
Being for the Wars design'd, 
And with a most Couragious mind. 
FINIS. 
Printed for I. Blare, at the Looking-[glass] on London-Bridge. 
Pepys Ballads, Vol. IV, p. 350 
368 
5. THE DISCOURSE BETWEEN A SOLDIER AND HIS LOVE 
The Discourse betweene A Souldier and His Love. 
Shewing that she did beare a faithfull minde, 
For Land nor Sea could make her stay behinde. 
To the tune of Upon a Summer time 
Souldier. 
My dearest deare adue, 
since that I needs must goe 
My fortunes to pursue 
against some Forraine Foe. 
Being that it is so, 
I pray thee patient be, 
And doe not Kilt thy Coat, 
to goe along with me. 
Pegge answers that she will die of sorrow if he goes and 
will therefore "kilt [her] Coat, and goe along with [him]." 
They continue the dialogue, he pointing out the hardships 
and she maintaining that she is equal to them and will 
"fight with heart and hand till dangers are ore past." 
Finally he agrees saying, "Ile have thy company: Therefore 
love Kilt they Coat and goe along with me." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepys Ballads, II, 253 
Printed at London for F. Coules (1626-81) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Simpson, 730 
III. COMMENTS 
Rollins suggests that "'The Discourse' may have been 
the ballad entered by Mrs. Griffin as 'The Souldier 
and his Love' on July 17, 1640." (Pepys Ballads, II, 
253) 
369 
THE DISCOURSE BETWEENE A SOULDIER AND HIS LOVE. 
The Discourse betweene a Souldier and His Love. 
Shewing that she did beare a faithful! minde, 
For Land nor Sea could make her stay behinde. 
To the tune of Upon a Summer time. 
Souldier. 
My dearest deare adue, 
since that I needs must goe 
My Fortunes to pursue 
against some Forraine Foe. 
Being that it is so, 
I pray thee patient be, 
And doe not kilt thy Coat, 
to goe along with me. 
Pegge. 
Alas my dearest heart, 
if that thou leaue me here, 
Death kills me with his dart, 
as plainly may appeare. 
For sorrow griefe and smart, 
will quickly make me dye, 
Therefore Ile kilt my Coat, 
and goe along with thee. 
Souldier. 
Ouer the dangerous Seas, 
whereto I must repaire, 
Will breed thee some disease, 
and change thy colour faire. 
Therefore my Laue forbeare, 
and well aduised bee, 
And doe not kilt thy Coat 
to goe along with mee. 
Pegge. 
Theres nothing can withstand, 
a willing settled minde: 
There neither Sea nor Land, 
shall make me stay behind. 
I thinke I were vnkind, 
to leaue thy company: 
Nay I will kilt my Coat 
and goe along with thee. 
370 
Souldier. 
Sweet-heart let me perswade, 
that thou wilt stay at home, 
And marke what shall be said 
as all to passe will come. 
When we haue past the Seas, 
and come vnto the Land, 
Against our Enemies, 
in Armour we must stand. 
Pegge. 
Well I for one will stand, 
whilst that my life doth last, 
And fight with heart and hand, 
till dangers are ore past. 
And then I will releiue 
thee in extremity, 
Therefore Ile kilt my Coat, 
and goe along with thee. 
The second part to same tune. 
Souldier. 
To lye in open fields, 
in time of Frost and Snow, 
Without or house or shields, 
where bitter blasts doe blow. 
It will thy body change, 
my deare I tell to thee: 
Then doe not kilt thy Coat, 
to goe along with me. 
Pegge. 
Sweet-heart I doe suppose, 
all that you say is true, 
I am as sure a choyce, 
as I appeare to you. 
I thinke I were vnkind 
to leaue thy company, 
Therefore Ile kilt my Coat 
and goe along with thee. 
Souldier. 
It is a dangerous thing, 
my sweet, my faire, my deare, 
To heare the Cannons ring, 
like thunder in the ayre. 
The sword, the Pike, the Speare, 
the dreadful! enemie: 
Will much affright thy Coat 
to goe along with me. 
371 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Pegge. 
I will lay all aside, 
what euer may befall, 
Whatsoeuer doth betide 
Ile venture life and all. 
The matter were but small, 
though for thy sake I dye, 
Therefore Ill kilt my Coat, 
and goe along with thee. 
Souldier. 
My griefes would still abound, 
if I should see thee want, 
Thy cries would still resound, 
and make my heart to pant. 
Sweet-heart let not thy mind, 
be bent vunto the sea, 
Nor doe not kilt thy Coat 
to goe along with me . 
Pegge. 
Why, doe thou not despaire, 
nor trouble so thy mind: 
Howsoeuer I doe fare 
Ile take it as I find. 
And I will thee comfort 
in middest of thy woe: 
Then doe not say no more, 
but yeeld that I may goe. 
Souldier. 
Then welcome with my heart 
seeing thou wilt goe with me 
Thou playest as kinde a part 
as did Penelope, 
Thou comfortst all my woes, 
Ile haue thy company: 
Therefore loue kilt thy Coat 
and goe along with me • 
No Turtle to her mate, 
could euer be more true, 
For she with fortunes fate, 
all dangers did pursue 
She ventures loue and life, 
most like a louer true: 
God send me such a wife, 
and so kind hearts adue. 
Printed at London for F. Coules • 
Pepys Ballads, Vol. II, p. 253 
372 
6. THE SEAMANS DOLEFUL FAREWEL 
The Seamans Doleful Farwel Or, The Greenwitch 
Lovers mournful Departure, 
See here the pattern of true Love, 
which absence cannot stain; 
And nothing shall his mind remove, 
till he returns again. 
Tune of, State and Ambition 
Man. 
Farewel my dearest Love now must I leave thee, 
to the East-Indies my Course I must steer, 
And when I think upon't sore it doth grieve me; 
let nothing possess thee with doubt or with fear, 
For i'le be Loyal unto thee for ever, 
and like to the Turtle will constant remain, 
Nothing but cruel Death our loves shall sever, 
but we will be marryed when I come again. 
She objects to his going and asks him to let her venture 
with him. He says that "with dangers on Seas" she is little 
acquainted and urges her to stay behind. She insists that 
he grant her "sute" and let her go "like to a Seaboy," but 
he says that she could not climb "to the Top-mast," and her 
"lilly-white hand" could not handle the "Tackle." He promi-
ses her that they will marry when he returns. She agrees to 
stay and bids him "defend Neptune." She asks "heavens great 
blessing,"he consoles her, and they part weeping and sighing. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
British Museum, 
c.22,fol. 176 
Printed for J. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt-
spur-street without Newgate (1685-1700) 
Cambridge, 
Pepys Collection, IV, 186 
Printed for J. Deacon at the sign of the Angel 
in Gilt-spurr-street (1685-1700) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 549 (incomplete text) 
Printed for J. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt-
spur-street without Newgate (1685-1700) 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Museum, Vol. 218, p. 52 
Crawford, 387 
373 
Simpson, 683 
Wing, S2187 
THE SEAMANS DOLEFUL FAREWELL 
The Seamans Doleful Farwel 
Or, The Greenwitch Lovers mournful Departure, 
See here the pattern of true Love, 
which absence cannot stain; 
This may be printed, R.P. 
Man. 
And nothing shall his mind remove 
till he returns again. 
Tune of, State and Ambition. 
Farewel my dearest Love now must I leave thee, 
to the East-Indies my Course I must steer, 
And when I think upon't sore it doth grieve me; 
let nothing possess thee with doubt or with fear, 
For i'le be Loyal unto thee for ever, 
and like to the Turtle will constant remain. 
Nothing but cruel Death our loves shall sever, 
but we will be marryed when I come again. 
Maid. 
And must we by Fortune thus strangely be parted? 
what dost thou think will become then of me, 
Who must continue here quite broken-hearted 
let me thy true Love now venture with thee: 
I fear not the dangers that wait on the Ocean, 
my troubles will greater be here on the shore; 
Unto thy true Love now grant what she doth motion 
who else greatly fears she shall see thee no more. 
Man. 
With dangers on Seas thou art little acquainted, 
for when the winds blow and the billows do rare, 
I fear that my true-Love will greatly be daunted, 
then let me intreat thee to stay on the shore: 
My heart in thy breast I will sure leave behind me, 
and thou of my constancy ne'r shalt complain, 
A pattern of true love thou ever shalt find me, 
and we will be marryed when I come again. 
Maid. 
Now many like thee that are constant and loyal 
do venture to Sea and do never return? 
Then grant me my sute and make no more denyal, 
for I in thine absence forever shall mourn; 
Oh like to a Sea-boy let me be attired, 
and talk not of leaving me here on the shore, 
Thy company by me so much is desired, 
that sure I should dye should I see thee no more. 
374 
Man. 
Cease my true Love, and no more do perswade me, 
why shouldst thou run hazards just now in thy prime 
Thy true Love forever blind Cupid hath made me, 
and thou to the Topmast I'm sure cast not climb; 
Thy Lilly-white hand cannot handle the Tackle, 
the Pitch and the Tar on thy palms will remain: 
Tho now thou art fetter'd in Cupids strong shackle, 
yet we will be married when I come again. 
Maid. 
Go then my true Love and heavens great blessing 
where e're thou dost sail still upon thee attend, 
Love is a pleasure beyond all expressing, 
and Neptune my dearest I pray thee defend: 
For if in mine absence my Love should miscarry, 
whom I for his Virtures do so much adore, 
Then I of my life without doubt should be weary, 
and pine to my Grave should I see thee no more. 
Man. 
Come be of good comfort and grieve not my dearest, 
for I am as loth from my Love to depart, 
Heaven can prevent all the dangers thou fearest, 
then let not such jealousies trouble thy heart: 
For should I behold all the Beauties in Venice, 
yet still to my Dear I would constant remain, 
And nothing shall cause any difference between us, 
but we will be married when I come again. 
Maid. 
I long for that hour and covet the minute 
when Hymen my true Love and me shall unite; 
I surfeit to think of the pleasure there's in it, 
'tis comfort by day, but far sweeter by night, 
When we like true Lovers shall joyn our poor faces 
and find such delight as I ne'r knew before, 
Tis for certain a bliss for to lye in embraces, 
and then I will part with my true Love no more. 
Man. 
Well now the wind serves, in despight I must leave thee 
but at one farewel let us change a sweet kiss: 
Again I do swear I will never deceive thee, 
and hope at the last to enjoy what I wish; 
Still hoping that Fortune will show me such favour 
that I may be prosperous on the Salt Main, 
My true Love in sorrow I fear for to leave her, 
but hope to injoy her when I come again. 
375 
Maid. 
Then down their poor cheeks the salt tears they did trickle 
whole vollies of sighs from their brests there did fly, 
At last he prevailed by little and little 
that he might be gone, and she could not deny; 
But kisses at parting were wonderful plenty, 
and needs it must be that it grieved them sore, 
Tears they did drop till their eyes they were empty 
for fear she her true Love should never see more. 
Printed for J. Deacon at the sign of the Angel in Gilt-spurr 
street. 
Cambridge, Pepys Collection, IV, 186. 
376 
7. BILLY AND NANCY'S KIND PARTING (K-14) 
(Billy and Nancy's Kind Parting; The Sailor's Adieu; 
Lovely Nancy; The True Lover's Departure; Farewell, 
Dearest Nancy; The Sailor's Sweetheart; Farewell My 
Dearest Nancy; Adieu Lovely Mary; Farewell Nancy; 
Johnnie and Molly; Molly and Johnnie; Jimmy and Nancy) 
Farewel my dear Nancy, for now I must leave you. 
And to the West Indies my course I must steer, 
I know very well my absence will grieve you, 
but my dear I'll return in the spring of the year 
He bids her "farewel" saying he must sail to the "West 
Indies" but will return. (In some versions he promises he 
will marry her). She protests his leaving and says that she 
will go with him like a "sea-boy" ("bold sailor"). He tells 
her that her "lily white hands" can't handle the "cable," 
and her "pretty little feet" can't go to the "top-mast," and 
urges her to stay at home. Wringing her hands and bewailing, 
she stands as he departs. Some versions end with his assur-
ance that he will return and marry her. Others end with a 
warning to "young maidens" to "never love a sailor that 
plows on the main." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, Boswell Coll., XXVIII, 30 
25274.2, Boswell Coll., XXIX, 36 
25242.75F, II 
(c.1763) 
(c.1763) 
J. Pitts Printer and Toy Warehouse. 6, Great 
st. Andrew street 7 Dials (1819-44) 
25242.17, IX,4 
J.O. Bebbington, 22 Goulden-st., Oldham rd., 
Manchester (c. 1855-61) 
New York Public Library/Research Division, 
NCK, Erin Machree &c. (bound chapbooks) 
Waterford--Printed and sold at w. Kelly's 
Wholesale and Retail Books, Stationary and 
Hardware House (c. 1816-36) 
O'Lochlainn, More Irish Street Ballads, 44 
B. Folksong Versions 
University of Kentucky/Special Coll. 
"Folk Songs from East Kentucky" (WPA Manuscript) 
377 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive (MUFLA), 
Leach Coll., #20A (St. Shott's, Nfld.) 
Leach Coll., #18 (St. Shott's, Nfld.) 
Brown, 320 
Chappell, 68 
Randolph, I, 217 
Scarborough, 372 
Thomas, Devil's Ditties, 87 
Creighton, Folk Songs from Southern New Brunswick, 
101 --
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 176 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., I, 529 
Purslow, Wanton Seed, 39 
Sharp, English County Songs, 62 
Sharp, One Hundred, 70 
S. Henry, no. 755 
Joyce, Ancient Irish Music, 95 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 66 
Laws, 147 
Rosenberg, 139, no. 1554 
Thomson, 18, no. 18 
Wilgus-Long 
378 
BILLY AND NANCY'S KIND PARTING (K-14) 
The Banks of Clady To which are added, &c. 
Entered according to Order. 
(5) 
Billy and Nancy's Kind Parting. 
Farewel my dear Nancy, for now I must leave you. 
and to the West Indies my course I must steer, 
I know very well my absence will grieve you, 
but my dear I'll return in the spring of the year. 
Let not my long going be a trouble to you, 
nor let my misfortunes run in your mind, 
Altha' we are parted, I'll still be true hearted, 
and we will be married when I come again. 
Why talk you of leaving me, my dearest jewel, 
why talk you of leaving me here on the shore; 
For while you are talking, my heart burns like fuel, 
my dear I will die if I see you no more. 
So like a sea-boy, my dear, I'll go with you, 
in the midst of your dangers love I'll stand your friend, 
For when the high stormy winds are a blowing, 
my dear I'll go with you, and keep you from harm. 
Your lily white hands can't endure our cable, 
nor your pretty little feet to the top-mast can't go; 
Nor the high stormy winds you can't endure, 
so pray my dear Nancy to the seas do not go. 
But her love went to sea, while she stood weeping, 
oppressed with sorrow grief and woe, 
Her hands she stood wringing with sorrow lamenting, 
crying my dearest Billy to the seas do not go. 
Her lily white hands she still kept wringing, 
and down from her cheeks the crystal tears did flow, 
Whilst her hands she stood wringing with sorrow lamenting 
crying, Oh my dear jewel, to the seas don't go. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol. XXVIII, Ch. 30 
379 
BILLY AND NANCY'S KIND PARTING (K-14) 
Lovely Nancy. 
Printed and Sold Wholesale and Retail by J.O. Bebbington, 
22, Goulden-st., Oldham-rd., Manchester. 
And adieu lovely Nancy, it is now I must leave you, 
It is to the East Indies I am bound for to steer, 
Let not my long voyage be troublesome to you, 
For my dear, I will be back at the spring of the year. 
Oh, don't talk of leaving me here now bewailing, 
Do'nt talk of leaving me here on the shore; 
For it is your sweet company I do admire, 
So do be advised love, and say do not go. 
I will dress like a little sea-boy love, let me go with you 
In the midst of all dangers your friend I will stand, 
And when that the high stormy winds are a blowing 
My dear, I'll be ready to reef your top sails. 
But your two pretty hands could not handle our cable 
Nor your two pretty feet to our top sail could steer, 
And your delicate body strong wind endure, 
So farewell Nancy, if I never see you more. 
And as Jemmy set sailing, lovely Nancy bewailing, 
Her lips grew far paler than the lilies in June, 
Her fine golden locks she was continually tearing, 
Saying, I love you until I die, if I never see you more. 
No. 4 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. IX, Bs. 4 
380 
8. WILLIAM AND NANCY'S PARTING 
William Bnd Nancy's Parting 
Come all you pretty maidens, 
That have a mind to go 
Along with your true love, 
To face your daring foe; 
For I have a mind to venture, 
Where cannonballs do fly, 
Along with my true love, 
My fortune for to try. 
The sailor says that he must go to sea and admonishes his 
beloved to "make [herself] contented." She says she will 
"dress in sailor's clothes [his] messmate for to be" and 
will fight "most manfully." He responds that they may be 
shipwrecked or captured by the enemy, so she should "make 
[herself] contented." He says that her "beautiful little 
fingers that are so long and small" could not withstand the 
hardships of hauling ropes. She remains ashore and prays 
for his protection and safe return. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25252.19, ch.42 
Edinburgh: printed by J. Morren (1800-20) 
54-784, IT 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle (1810-31) 
54-784, II 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle (1810-31) 
54-784, 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts 14 Great st. 
Andrew street, 7 Dials (1802-19) 
25242.85F, 49r 
Pitts, Printer Wholesale Toy and Marble Ware-
house, 6 Great st. Andrewstreet 7 dials 
(1819-44) 
25242.25, 102v 
Printed and sold at 60 Old-St. 
(G. Pigott, 1803-30) 
25252.20, I, 5 
J. Marshall, Newcastle (1810-31) 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
Printed and sold at 60 Old-St.(Pigott,1803-30) 
New York Public Library/Arents Collection, 
Ballad Collection 
Pitts, Printer wholesale Toy and Marble 
381 
Warehouse, 6 Great st Andrewstreet 7 dials 
(1819-44) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Printed and Sold at 60 Old-St.(Pigott,1803-30) 
KVB, II, 48 
Pitts, Printer wholesale Toy and Marble Ware-
house, 6 Great st Andrewstreet 7 dials 
(1819-44) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
BS Ballads, 1790-1830, #331 
Pitts, Printer wholesale Toy and Marble Ware-
house, 6 Great st Andrewstreet 7 dials 
(1819-44) 
BS Ballads, 1790-1830, #330 
Printed and Sold at 60 Old-St.(Pigott,1803-30) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex PR118lxC6, 1080 
Printed and Sold at 60 Old-St.(Pigott,1803-30) 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
PR1187G19r (A Garland &c.) 
Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by J. Marshall, 
in the Old Flesh-Market (1811-19) 
PR1187Gl9r (The Canary &c.) 
Printed ~J. Marshall, In the Old Flesh-
Market, Newcastle (1811-19) 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballad Collection, II, 139 
Printed and Sold at 60 Old-St.(Pigott,1803-30) 
Yale, 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, XVIII, 29 
Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble Ware-
house, 6 Great st Andrewstreet 7 dials 
(1819-44) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Thomson, 22, no. 42 
382 
• 
WILLIAM AND NANCY'S PARTING 
William and Nancy's Parting. 
Printed and Sold at 60 Old-Street. 
Come all you prety maidens that have a mind to go, 
Along with your true-love to face your dareing foe, 
For I've a mind to venture where cannon ball do fly 
Along with my true-love I'll go my fortune to try, 
He said, my dearest Nancy, I hope you'll not repine, 
For I must go on bord our noble fleet to join, 
Our orders are to sea, my dear, and now must away, 
So make yourself contented behind me for to stay. 
She replied, sweet william, I pray don't leave me, 
I'll dress myself in sailors array, with you I will steer 
Let me go with you your messmate for to be 
And when on board a man of war I'll fight manfully. 
He said, my lovely maiden, great danger is at sea, 
Perhaps we may be shipwreck'd or the ship be cast away 
And in the line of battle perhaps you may be slad, 
So make yourself contented behind me for to remai 
Your pretty little fingers that are so long and small, 
You'd think it hard useage our cable ropes to haul 
when winds they blow high, and billow loudly roar, 
So make yourself contented, my dear, and stay on shore, 
And my love is gone a broad as I must tell you plain, 
Kind heaven protect him to plow the raging main, 
Protect him from all danger where cannon balls do fly, 
And send sweet william back again as I may him enjoy 
University of Kentucky, Vol. II, p. 139 
383 
WILLIAM AND NANCY'S PARTING 
William and Nancys Parting. A New Song. 
Come all you pretty maidens, 
that have a mind to go 
Along with your true love, 
To face your daring foe; 
For I have a mind to venture, 
Where cannon balls do fly, 
And along with my true love, 
My fortune for to try. 
He says my dearest Nancy, 
I hope you will not repine, 
That I must go on board, 
Our noble fleet to join; 
Our orders are for sea, my dear, 
And now I must away; 
So make yourself contented, 
Be kind to stay on shore. 
She says, my dearest William, 
Pray do not leave me here; 
I'll dress myself in sailor's clothes, 
Along with you to steer; 
So, now, do let me go with you, 
Your messmate for to be; 
When on board of a man of war, 
I'll fight most manfully. 
He says, my dear lovely maiden, 
Great dangers are at sea; 
Perhaps we may be shipwrecked, 
And the vessel cast away; 
Or, when in the line of battle, 
Taken by the enemy; 
So make yourself contented, 
Be kind to stay on shore. 
With beautiful little fingers, 
And hair so long and small, 
You would think a very great hardship, 
Our cable ropes to haul, 
Where the stormy winds do blow high, 
And billows loud do roar; 
So make yourself contented, 
Be kind to stay on shore. 
384 
So now, my love has gone abroad, 
As I may tell you plain; 
Kind Heav'ns! ever protect him, 
While on the raging main--
Protect him from ev'ry danger, 
Where cannon balls do fly; 
And send sweet William back again, 
That I may him enjoy. 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. II, BS 6 
385 
9. THE SOULDIERS FAREWEL TO HIS LOVE. 
(The Souldiers Farewel to His Love; A Iigge) 
The Souldiers Farewel to his Love. Being a 
Dialogue betweixt Thomas and Margaret. 
To a pleasant new Tune. 
Thomas. 
Margaret my sweetest, Margaret I must go. 
Margaret. 
Most dear to me, that never may be so: 
T. Ah, Fortune wills it, I cannot it deny. 
M. then know my love your Margaret must dye. 
He says he must go to the wars. She urges him to marry her 
while he urges her to wed another. She says she will go 
with him and "bear [his] sword." He asks her what she will 
do if he finds another "dainty wench," and she answers that 
she will love her. He says it will "discredit him" when 
the time comes when she "must delivered be." She says she 
will go away from him to have her baby. When she says that 
she will die if they part, he agrees that they will wed and 
bids her come with him. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepysian Garland, 173 (rpt, Pinto and Radway, 151) 
London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. 
Wright (1663-74) 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Percy Folio, II, 334 
II. CATALOGUES 
Crawford, 793 
Rollins, Analytical Index, no. 1666 
386 
THE SOULDIERS FAREWEL TO HIS LOVE 
The Souldiers Farewel to his Love. 
Being a Dialogue betwixt Thomas and Margaret. 
To a pleasant new Tune. 
Thomas. 
Margaret my sweetest, Margaret I must go, 
Margaret. 
Most dear to me, that never may be so: 
T. Ah, Fortune wills it, I cannot it deny, 
M. then know my love your Margaret must dye. 
T. Not for the gold my Love that Croesus had, 
Would I once see thy sweetest looks so sad, 
M. Nor for all that the which my eye did see, 
Would I depart my sweetest Love from thee. 
T. The King conunands, & I must to the wars 
M. Ther's others more enough may end the jars 
T. But I for one conunanded am to go, 
And for my life I dare not once say no. 
M. Ah marry me, and you shall stay at home, 
Full thirty weeks you know that I have gone, 
T. There's time enough another for to take 
He 1 love thee well, and not thy child forsake. 
M. And have I doted on thy sweetest face? 
and dost infringe that which thou suedst in chase 
Thy faith I mean but I will wend with thee, 
T. It is too far for Peg to go with me. 
M. I'le go with thee my Love both night and day 
I'le bear thy sword, i'le run and lead the way. 
T. But we must ride, how will you follow then, 
Amongst a Troop of us thats Armed men? 
M. Ile bear the Lance, ile guide thy stirrop too, 
Ile rub the horse, and more then that ile do, 
T. But Margarets fingers they are all too fine, 
To wait on me when she doth see me dine. 
Margaret. 
Ile see you dine, ile wait still at your back, 
Ile give you wine, or any thing you lack. 
387 
Thomas. 
But youl repine when you shall see me have 
A dainty wench that is both fine and brave. 
M. Ile love your wench, my sweetest, I do vow, 
I'le watch time when she may pleasure you. 
T. But you will grieve to see me sleep in bed, 
And you must wait still in anothers stead. 
M. I'le watch my love to see you sleep in rest, 
And when you sleep then I shall think me blest. 
T. The time will come you must delivered be, 
If in the Camp it will discredit me. 
M. Ile go from you before the time shall be, 
When all is well my love againe ile see. 
T. All will not serve for Margaret must not go. 
Then do resolve my Love, what else to do. 
M. If nought wil serve why then sweet love adieu 
I needs must die, and yet in dying true. 
T. Nay stay my love, for I love Margaret well, 
And here I vow with Margaret to dwell. 
M. Give me your hand, your Margaret livs again 
T. Here is my hand, ile never breed thy pain. 
M. I'le kiss my Love in token it is so. 
T. We will be wed, come Margaret let us go. 
Finis. 
London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. Wright. 
Pepysian Garland, p. 173. 
388 
THE SOULDIERS FAREWEL TO HIS LOVE 
A Iigge 
Margrett, my sweetest margett! I must goe! 
most dere to mee that neuer may be soe; 
as ffortune willes, I cannott itt deny. 
then know thy loue, thy Margarett, shee must dye. 
Not ffor the gold that euer Croessus hadd, 
wold I once see thy sweetest lookes soe fade; 
nor ffor all that my eyes did euer see, 
wold I once part thy sweetest loue from mee; 
The King commands, & I must to the warres. 
thers others more enow to end those cares. 
but I am one appointed ffor to goe, 
& I dare not ffor my liffe once say noe, 
0 marry mee, & you may stay att home! 
ffull 30 weekes you know that I am gone. 
theres time enough; another ffather take; 
heele loue thee well, & not thy child forsake. 
And haue I doted ouer thy sweetest fface? 
& dost infring the things I haue in chase, 
thy ffaith, I mean? but I will wend with thee. 
itt is to ffar ffor Pegg to goe with mee. 
I will goe with thee, my loue, both night and day 
& I will beare thy sword like lakyney; Lead the way! 
but wee must ryde, & will you ffollow then 
amongst a troope of vs thats armed men? 
Ile beare thy Lance, & grinde thy stirropp too, 
Ile rub thy horsse, & more then that Ile doo 
but Margretts ffingars, they be all to ffine 
to stand & waite when shee shall see mee dine, 
Ile see you dine, & wayte still att your backe, 
Ile giue you wine or any thing you Lacke. 
but youle repine when you shall see mee haue 
a dainty wench that is both ffine & braue. 
389 
Ile love thy wench, my sweetest loue, I vow, 
Ile watch the time when shee may pleasure you! 
but you will greeue to see vs lye in bedd; 
& you must watch still in anothers steede. 
Ile watch you loue to see you take your rest; 
& when you sleepe, then shall I thinke me blest 
the time will come, deliuered you must bee; 
then in the campe you will discredditt mee. 
Ile goe £from thee beffor that time shalbee; 
when all his well, my loue againe Ile see. 
all will not serue, £for Margarett may not goe; 
then doe resolue, my loue, what else to doe. 
Must I not goe? why then, sweete loue, adew! 
needs must I dye, but yet in dying trew! 
a! stay my loue! I loue my Margarett well, 
& heere I wow with Margarett still to dwell! 
Giue me thy hand! thy Margarett liues againe! 
heeres my hand! Ile neuer breed thee paine! 
I kisse my loue in token that is soe; 
wee will be wedd: come, Margarett, let vs goe. 
ffins. 
Percy Folio Manuscript, Vol. II, 335. 
390 
10. BILLY AND NANCY'S PARTING (N-8) 
(Billy and Nancy's Parting; The Happy Couple; 
Jimmy and Nancy on the Sea; Johnnie and Nancy; 
Lisbon; Lovely Annie; Lovely Nancy; The Maiden's 
Lamentation; Molly Bawn; Molly's Courtship to 
Sweet William; Nancy, Lovely Nancy; A New Song; 
Polly and Sweet William; Pretty Molly; The 
Pretty Sailor; Sweet William; William and 
Nancy; William and Polly) 
Billy and Nancy's Parting 
It was on a Monday morning, 
Just at the break of day, 
Our ship had slipt her cable, 
And we were bound to sea; 
The wind blew from the south east, 
And from Greenock we were bound, 
The streets they were all garnished 
With pretty maids around. 
In some versions a "pretty sailor" goes to his love to say 
he is leaving "for foreign land." In others he writes her 
a letter telling her the news. Some versions move from the 
scene of the departing ship to a lamenting "damsel." In 
all texts the woman asks the sailor to stay and marry her. 
In a number of printed versions she says that she is with 
child by him. He tells her the king wants men, and it 
would be a "sad disgrace" if he didn't go. She says she 
will cut off her "yellow hair" and dress as a man to 
accompany him as his "waiting man." He says her "waist 
is too slender," her "fingers too small." He asks her 
what she would do if he met another girl. She replies 
that she would "step aside" and "love her too." These 
words win his heart, they marry, and in most versions sail 
away together. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25252.19, ch.52 
Greenock--Printed by W. Scott (c.1815) 
25276.8, XII 
Falkirk--Printed by T. Johnston: 1815 
54-784, I 
54-784, II 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle (1810-31) 
391 
New York Public Library/Arents Collection, 
Ballad Collection 
Printed and sold by Jennings, Water-lane, 
Fleet-street, London (1802-9) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVDp.v.10, no. 100 
Glasgow: Published and Sold Wholesale and 
Retail, by R. Hutchison, Bookseller, 19 
Saltmarket, 1823. 
KVB, II, 33r 
Printed and sold by Jennings, Water-lane, 
Fleet-street, London (1802-9) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. Ballads 1790-1830, no. 225 
Printed at J. Pitts: Wholesale Toy Warehouse, 
6 Great st Andrew street 7 Dials (1819-44) 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Uncat. Ballads 
B. Folksong Versions 
UCLA Folklore Archive, 
Western Kentucky Coll. (Ind., 1954) 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song 
7907A (NC, 1944) 
2905B2/2906Al (Tenn., 1939) 
4358A2 (Lincolnshire, c. 1908) 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore 
and Language Archive (MUFLA), 
Leach Coll., #7 (Trepassey, Nfld.) 
Leach Coll., #1 (Tor's Cove, Nfld.) 
68-7; C477 (Ramea, Nfld., 1967) 
66-24; C259 (Cow Head, Nfld.) 
Irish Folklore Collections (IFC), MacDonagh 
IFC, Sl012, p. 73 (Cavan, c. 1938) 
Anderson (Tenn., 1932) 
Belden, 177 
Chappell, 120 
Gardner and Chickering, 169 
Henry, Folksongs, 167 
Perry, 71 (Tenn., 1938) 
Randolph, I, 218 
Roberts, In the Pine, 96 
Sharp, Engli~Folk Songs, II., 139 
Creighton and Senior, 156 
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 178 
392 
Folkways FE 4075 (recording) 
Library of Congress/Anglo-Ame~ican Songs, L-21 
(recording) 
Mackenzie, 108 
Peacock, I, 202 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., I, 531 
O'Brien, II, 198 
JFSS, II, 22 
JFSS, VI, 17 
JFSS, VII, 50 
Greig-Duncan, I, 142, no. 63 
S. Henry, no. 561 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division, 
"Forton Prison Papers," II (published in Carey,48) 
Huntington, 266 
III. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 206 
Rosenberg, 139, no. 1553 
Wilgus-Long 
393 
BILLY AND NANCY'S PARTING (N-8) 
The Jaunting Car; or, The Young Wife's Lament, 
To Which are added, &c. 
Greenock--Printed by W. Scott. 
Billy and Nancy's Parting. 
It was on a Monday morning, 
Just at the break of day, 
Our ship had slipt her cable, 
And we were bound to sea; 
The wind blew from the south east, 
And from Greenock we were bound, 
The streets they were all garnished 
With pretty maids around. 
There was a pretty sailor, 
All in his blooming years, 
He came unto his true love, 
With bitter sighs and tears; 
And he came unto his true love, 
To let her understand, 
That he was going to leave her 
And sail for foreign land. 
What, say you so, dear Billy? 
These words do break my heart, 
Come let us now be harried, 
Before that we do part. 
These fourteen weeks and longer 
I'm going with child to thee, 
So stay at home dear Billy, 
Be kind and marry me. 
If I should stay at home my dear, 
Another would take my place, 
It would be a shame to me, love, 
Besides a sad disgrace; 
The King he's wanting men, my dear, 
And I for one must go, 
And for my very life, love, 
I dare not answer no. 
394 
Well, I'll cut off my yellow hair, 
Man's clothes I will put on, 
And I will go along with you, 
To be your waiting man; 
Like a true and faithful servant, 
I on my love shall wait, 
No storm nor danger will I fear, 
Let it be e'er so great. 
Your waist it is too slender, 
Your fingers are too small, 
I fear you will not answer me, 
When I do on you call; 
When cannons they do rattle, 
And bullets they do fly, 
And silver trumpets sounding, 
To drown the dreadful cry. 
If I should meet a bonny lass, 
That's merry blythe and gay, 
And on her set on her my fancy, 
What would my Nancy say? 
What would I say, dear Willy, 
Why, I would love her too, 
'Tis I would step aside, my dear, 
'Till she would pleasure you. 
Why say you so, dear Nancy, 
You now do gain my heart, 
Come, let us now be marri'd 
And we will never part. 
This couple now are married, 
And sailing o'er the main, 
May all goodness attend them, 
Till they return again. 
Harvard, 25252.19, Ch. 52 
395 
BILLY AND NANCY'S PARTING (N-8) 
It Was On One Monday Morning 
It was on one Monday morning 
All in the month of May, 
Our ship she slipped her cable 
As we were bound for sea. 
The wind blew from the southwest; 
To Lisbond we were bound. 
The hills and the vales were garnished 
With pretty fair maids all round. 
There was a young man among the rest 
All in the bloom of years 
Who went to see his Polly 
With bitter sighs and tears; 
Who went to see his Polly 
To let her understand 
That he was going to leave her 
To view some foreign land. 
Don't say so, dear William, 
Those words have gained my heart; 
Come, let us go and marry 
Before that we do part; 
For I can love no other, 
No other one but thee; 
So stay at home, dear William, 
Be kind and marry me. 
If I were to stay at home, love, 
Some other would take my place; 
It would be a disappointment, 
Besides a sad disgrace. 
Our captain has commanded us 
And I for one will go; 
And for my very life, love, 
I dare not answer no. 
My yellow hair then I'll cut off, 
Men's clothing I'll put on, 
I'll go 'long with you, William, 
I'll be your waiting-man; 
I'll fear no storm or battle, 
Let them be e'er so great, 
Like true and faithful servant 
Upon you I will wait. 
396 
Your waist it is too slender, love, 
Your fingers are too small; 
I'm afraid you would not answer 
If I should on you call 
Where the cannon loudly rattle 
And the blazing bullets fly 
And the silver trumpets sounding 
To drownd the deadly cry. 
My waist is not too slender, love, 
My fingers not too small; 
I'm sure I would not tremble 
To face the cannon ball 
Where the guns are loudly rattling 
And the blazing bullets fly 
And the silver trumpets sounding 
To drownd the deadly cry. 
Supposing I were to meet with some fair maid 
And she were pleased with me; 
If I should meet with some fair maid 
What would my Polly say? 
What would I say, dear William? 
Why, I should love her too, 
And stand aside like a sailor 
While she might talk with you. 
Now don't say so, dear Polly; 
Those words have gained my heart. 
Come, let us go and marry 
Before that we do part. 
This couple then got married 
And are sailing round the main; 
May great success attend them 
Till they return again. 
Belden, p. 178 
397 
11. THE UNDAUNTED SAILOR 
The Undaunted Sailor 
Tune--Soldier's Cloak. 
Farewell, my dearest Nancy, 
Now I'm going away, 
Let nought perplex your fancy, 
Whilst I'm on the raging sea, 
My orders Ive received, 
And quickly I must go, 
For to plow the raging ocean, 
And face the daring foe. 
She objects to his going, fearing that he "may be slain." 
He answers that many escape "in the heat of battle," so why 
shouldn't he. She asks that she may go to "guard [him] from 
all dangers, against the proud enemy." He objects that she 
would "surely frighten'd be" and should "stay at home in 
safety." He bids her "adieu" and vows to make her his wife 
should he "return with life." The ballad ends with his 
"plowing the raging main" and expresses hope that "he'll 
return again. . with his true love for to remain." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 25274.2, IX, ch.3 
London: Printed and Sold by J. Davenport. 6, 
George's Court, St. John's Lane, West Smith-
field. (1800-2) 
398 
THE UNDAUNTED SAILOR 
The Sailor's Whim or, Saturday Night at Sea: Containing 
Twenty-two of the Newest and most Favourite Sea, Hunting, 
Love, and Convivial Songs, Sung at the Theatres, Convivial 
Societies, and Honoured with Public Approbation. 
London: Printed and Sold by J. Davenport, 6, George's 
Court, St. John's Lane, West Smithfield. 
The Undaunted Sailor. 
Tune--Soldier's Cloak. 
Farewell, my dearest Nancy, 
Now I'm going away, 
Let nought perplex your fancy, 
Whilst I'm on the raging sea, 
My orders I've received, 
And quickly I must go, 
For to plow the raging ocean, 
And face the daring foe. 
0 no, my dearest William, 
I beg you'll not say so, 
Indeed I am not willing, 
At all to let you go, 
For on the seas are dangers, 
And perhaps you may be slain, 
And leave me here lamenting, 
In sorrow to complain. 
My dear there's many a sailor, 
Who plows the raging main, 
Encounters every danger, 
Thunders, storms and rain, 
Where cannons loudly rattle, 
And bullets they do fly, 
Escape in the heat of battle, 
My dear, and why not I? 
And now, my dearest William, 
Let me go with you, I pray, 
I'll guard you from all dangers, 
Against your proud enemy; 
0 no, in the heat of battle, 
You'll surely frighten'd be, 
Then stay at home in safety, 
Till I return from sea, 
399 
So now adieu, my Nancy, 
I can no longer stay, 
My orders are for sailing, 
All by the break of day; 
But if I should return with life, 
Unto Old England's shore, 
I vow I will make you my wife, 
And part from you nomore. 
And now this jolly young sailor, 
Is plowing the raging main, 
He's left his dearest Nancy, 
In sorrow to complain; 
But let's hope still he'll return again, 
And from all dangers free, 
With his true love for to remain, 
In peace and unity. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol. IX, Ch. 3 
400 
12. JOHNNY AND MOLLY 
(Johnny and Molly; A New Song; Johnny and 
Molly or the Loyal Comrades) 
Johnny and Molly 
Adieu my dear Molly, for now I must leave you 
to try my fortune in crossing the main, 
Tho' I go to travel, pray let it not grieve you, 
for shortly I hope will return home again. 
She urges Johnny to stay home and not journey to America. 
He says his "honour commands" and though they are "brethren~' 
his Majesty and Parliament "proclaim'd them rebel," so he 
must go. She asks if she could enlist and be his "true 
loyal comrade" and "dress in man's attire." He says that 
she is "too young and slender." She says that she will not 
be afraid in his company, and he finally agrees to the plan 
because she is "so sprightly." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 25274.2, Boswell Coll., XXVIII, 20 
Bow Church Yard (c.1763) 
UCLA/Sp.Coll., PR974C69, Coll. of 15 Chapbooks 
(Three Excellent New Songs Printed in the 
Year 1793) 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Div., "Orderly Book 
of Thomas Cole," Boston, 1778 (Item 64, Hand-
book, AC966) 
401 
JOHNNY AND MOLLY 
The Wild Rover. To which are added, ••• &c. 
Entered according to Order. 
Johnny and Molly. 
Adieu my dear Molly, for now I must leave you, 
to try my fortune in crossing the main; 
Though I go to travel, pray let it not grieve you, 
for shortly I hope I'll return home again. 
But now I'll away to serve his Majesty, 
with honour I hope to return home again, 
Resolved to fight, once our friends, now our enemies, 
all to America, their force to subdue. 
But stay my dear Johnny consider the great danger, 
that now may attend you in crossing the seas, 
Besides I am sure to the wars you're a stranger, 
so stay at home love, enjoy your sweet ease. 
Consider the hard fortune attending America, 
where many gallant hero lay bleeding on the plain, 
And those that did live were in great need of assistance, 
my dearest be advised at home to remain. 
Let nothing affright you as honour commands, 
to serve our great Sovereign whenever he calls, 
I'll surmount all those dangers as fame now commands, 
I'll never be afraid to face cannon balls. 
The Americans are fierce and that we'll understand, 
sure they are our brethren, and brave as can be. 
But his Majesty & parliament proclaim'd them rebel band, 
and for to conquer them we now must away. 
Alas! my dear Johnny the danger now alarms me, 
for fear that in America you should be slain. 
My jewel don't fear, there's nothing e'er will harm me, 
so Molly my darling, cease to complain. 
402 
Tho' many valiant soldiers have gallantly met their fate, 
in serving of their Sov'reign, yet surely you know, 
Our warlike fleets and armies will gall them at any rate, 
they'll shortly rue the day they became our proud foe. 
Well since you are going, may heav'n still defend you, 
and keep you from danger, tho' with me you part, 
Kind fortune may smile, and for ever attend you, 
and to stay behind you, it will break my heart. 
Could I enlist with you, my dear it would please me, 
your true loyal comrade I still could remain, 
I'll dress in man's attire, and never deceive you, 
but fight beside my love till he come home again. 
Ah no my dear Molly you are too young and slender, 
to face the fatigues of those fierce bloody wars. 
0 no my dear Johnny, although I'm but slender, 
you'll se that I'll behave like a bold son of Mars. 
No danger can affright me while I'm in your company, 
your presence will delight me, and that you will know, 
Then since you are so sprightly, my dear come along with me 
so success attend us, wherever we go. 
Harvard, 25274.2 Vol. XXVIII, Ch. 20 
403 
JOHNNY AND MOLLY 
A New Song 
1 
Adieu my Dear Poly sence now i Must Leave You 
to try my hard fortin in Crossing the main 
Now sence i am agoing Pray let it not Greave You 
for shortly i hope to Return home agann 
Now sence i must away to serve his Great Maiesty 
With honour i hope to Return home to You 
tis once to fight a frind that is now turned our foe 
tis all for america for to subdue 
2 
0 stay at home Dear Jony Consider the Great Dainger 
that now may attend you in Crossing the Seas 
Besides to the wars Love you are but a Stranger 
You had Beter stay at home and Enioy your sweet Ease 
Consider the great Dainger that attendeth in america 
When many a galint solger ly Bleading on the plain 
and those that would Reviue Love for want of norishment 
you had Beter be advised Loue at home to Remain 
3 
Let nothing Loue afrighten you sence Onour Command me 
to serve his Great maiesty where Euer he Calls and me 
i will seremount all those Dangers sence fame hath Comm: 
i Never be afraid for to faice Canon Bols, 
for the americans are Valient and that you well do understand 
i am suer thay have Brethren as braue as can be, 
But his maiesty in Parlement Proclaims them a Rebel band 
and all to subdue them Love wee must away 
4 
tis O my Dear iony the Dangers Doth alarm me 
to think in america for you must Be slain 
Let nothing Love afriten you sence onour Commands me, 
tis Poly my Darling Dont sorly Complain 
for many a Gallant solder so galantly has met his fate 
But awai like fleat and army will Gall them to the heart 
i am suer they will rue the Day that they Received our foe 
in Serving his maiesty were ever he Calls. 
404 
5 
Well sence you are agoing may the heavens attend you 
and keep you from harm alltho with you i must part 
Kind fortin smille and the favours attend you 
And for to stay behind you it will Break my Poor heart 
my Dear Could i inlist with you how wele it will please me 
if in your sweet smiling company i still would Remain 
i will Dress myself in mens atire and never would Deny you 
i will fight with my true Loue till he Return again. 
6 
tis o my Dearist poly you are to young and slender 
to face the solger of this Blady Woar 
tis my Dearest iony tho i am young and slender 
You will that i will Behave Like a Bole Son of war 
i will let Nothing Love afrighten me will Im your sweet Company 
Your Presence doth alite me and that you will do so 
Well sence you are so spritly tis Come my Dear along with me 
Success may attend us were Euer we go----
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division - Thomas Cole Orderly Book 
(1778), Boston; Item 64, Handbook, AC966 
405 
13. THE FEMALE TAR (!) 
The Female Tar 
Now, dearest Poll I am bound for the ocean, 
Now, dearest, &c. 
In hopes to gain riches, honour and promotion, 
0 then, dearest Jemmy, pray let me attend ye, 
I'll brave the worst dangers, my dear, to defend ye 
In jacket and trowsers where cannons do rattle, 
My Jem I'll assist in the heat of a battle. 
He urges her to "tarry at home," unaccustomed as she is to 
"the raging of waves, the lightning's sad flash, and the 
roaring of thunder." She answers that she "boldly will 
weather the fiercest of tempests" that they may sail to-
gether. He asks her what she would do should he be wounded, 
and she declares that she would be his "doctor and surgeon." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, IV, 2, Boswell Coll. 
25274.2, XX, 8, Boswell Coll. 
Yale, Ib57t800 
(c. 1763) 
(c. 1763) 
London: Printed and Sold by J. Evans, No. 41, 
Long-Lane, West-Smithfield (1790-95) 
406 
THE FEMALE TAR(.!) 
The New Songster's Companion. Being a Choice Collection ••• &c. 
London: Printed and sold by J. Evans, No. 41, Long-Lane, 
West-Smithfield. 
The Female Tar. 
Now dearest Poll I am bound for the ocean 
Now, dearest, &c. 
In hopes to gain riches, honor, and promotion, 
0 then, my dearest Jennny, pray let me attend ye, 
I'll brave the worst of dangers, my dear, to defend ye. 
In jacket and trowsers, where cannons do rattle, 
My Jem I'll assist in the heat of a battle. 
Dear Poll, to the raging of waves you're a stranger, 
Then tarry at home to avoid all such danger, 
The ship mountains high may be tost then 
you'll wonder 
At the lightning's sad flash, and the roaring of thunder 
The fiercest of tempests I boldly will weather, 
So that, my dear Jem, we may both sail together, 
Aloft I will venture, my heart it shall ne'er fail, 
While you're in the maintop, I'll reef in the fore 
sail. 
Suppose, my dear Poll, when the cannons are roaring 
The blood from the wounds of your Jem should 
be pouring, 
The love that you bear me, it surely would grieve me, 
Then who, my dear girl, should I have to re-
lieve me. 
Your wounds I would dress, ay, and never be fearful, 
So let me go with you, be no longer urgent, 
My dear, I will be both your 
doctor and surgeon. 
Yale, lb57 t800 
407 
14. BILLY AND POLLY 
Billy and Polly 
BILLY. 
Hark! hark, my charming Polly! 
Hark how the war calls for me, 
Hark how the silver trumpets sound, 
Which calls us all to Flanders ground. 
Although I leave you don't complain 
At the thoughts of my being slain, 
For I safely shall return again, 
My Polly dear, my Polly dear. 
POLLY. 
0 Billy! talk not of parting! 
It sets my heart a smarting. 
The torment that lies in my breast, 
No tongue is able to express: 
My eyes shall flow with floods of tears, 
At the thoughts of war and fears, 
Least you be slain by the Monsieurs, 
My Billy dear! my Billy dear! 
He offers her a token,"a piece of gold is broken," and he 
says that his "thoughts" shall always be on her. She says 
she'll dress herself "in man's attire" and follow him 
"through smoke and fire," and "learn to beat the drum." He 
says it makes him "melancholy'; for when the "cannons roar" 
she will "think no more" of him, and her "precious breath" 
may be taken by "the grim messenger of death." They bid 
"adieu," and she hopes he will survive and return. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Ford 2980 
Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, 
Boston (T. and J. Fleet, c.1770) 
Uncat. Ballads 
Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, 
Boston (T. and J. Fleet, c.1770) 
408 
BILLY AND POLLY 
Billy and Polly 
BILLY. 
Hark hark my charming Polly! 
Hark how the war calls for me, 
Hark now the silver trumpets sound, 
Which calls us all to Flanders ground: 
Although I leave you, don't complain 
At the thoughts of my being slain, 
For I safely shall return again, 
My Polly dear, my Polly dear. 
POLLY. 
0 Billy! talk not of parting! 
It sets my heart a smarting, 
The tormet that lies in my breast, 
No tongue is able to express: 
My eyes shall flow with floods of tears, 
At the thoughts of wars and fears, 
Least you be slain by the Monsieurs, 
My Billy dear! my Billy dear! 
BILLY. 
0 Polly! here's a token, 
A piece of gold is broken, 
And if ever I prove to thee, 
May the heav'ns above my witness be: 
Where e'er I go, by land or sea, 
In the midst of my extremity, 
My thoughts shall always be on thee, 
My Polly dear! my Polly dear! 
POLLY. 
0 Billy! you may believe me, 
I never will deceive thee, 
For I'll dress myself in man's attire, 
And follow you through smoke and fire; 
And when to Flanders we do come, 
There I'll learn to beat the drum, 
With a rap tap tow, and drum, drum drum, 
My Billy dear! my Billy dear! 
409 
BILLY. 
0 my dear charming Polly! 
It makes me melancholy, 
For when we come where cannons roar, 
You'll think no more on me, no more: 
And should the grim messenger of death 
Deprive you of your precious breath, 
I of all joys shall be bereft, 
My Polly dear! my Polly dear! 
POLLY. 
Alas! my charming Billy! 
Since I [cannot go] with thee, 
Give me thine hand, I'll bid adieu, 
My thoughts shall always be on you, 
And when you cross the roaring main, 
May you survive when men are slain, 
And may you safe return again 
To your Polly dear, your Polly dear. 
Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston. 
American Antiquarian Society, Uncat. Ballads 
410 
15. THE BANKS OF THE NILE (N-9) 
(The Banks of the Nile; Dixie's Isle; Down in 
Dixie's Isle; A Much Admir'd Song Call'd the 
Banks of the Nile; Texas Isle) 
The Banks of the Nile 
Hark! I hear the drums beating, no longer I'll stay, 
I hear the trumpet sounding, my love, I must away; 
We are ordered from Portsmouth many a long mile, 
To join the British army on the banks of the Nile. 
She begs him to stay home and marry her, then asks to go 
with him saying, "I will cut my yellow locks. • I' 11 dress 
myself in velvettens." Willie tells Nancy she is too frail; 
her waist is "too slender. . her fingers too small." She 
curses the war which takes away lovers. He responds that 
when the wars are over "we'll return unto our sweethearts." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
w. and T. Fordyce, Printers, 48 Dean Street, 
Newcastle. (1837-41) 
54-784, I 
Harkness, Printer, 121 Church Street, Preston 
(1840-66) 
25243.lOPF 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
25242.83 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
25242.17, IV, 130 
Printed and sold by John Ross, Royal Arcade, 
Newcastle, and may be had of S. Stewart, 
Botchergate, Carlisle. (1847-52) 
25242.17, VIII, 47 
Sold by H. Andrews, 27 St. Peter's St., 
Leeds (c. 1855) 
25242.17, IX, 219 
Bebbington, Printer, 26 Goulden-street, 
Oldham road, Manchester; sold by J. Beaumont, 
176 York-street, Leeds (c. 1855) 
25242.17, XII, 37 
H. Such-123 Union Street (1849-68) 
25242.74, 3 
T. Pearson, Printer, 6 Chadderton-street, 
Off Oldham Road, Manchester (c. 1870) 
Misc. Uncat. BSS , folder 
411 
Misc. Uncat. BSS 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Robert McIntosh, Printer, Stationer, 203 
Gallowgate, Glasgow. 
Uncat. BSS, I 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Library of Congress/Music Division, 
Uncat. BSS 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
PR976I7, Irish Ballads, &c. 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Uncat. BSS, I, 63 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
H80.240 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Huntington Library, 
259489, Coll. of BSS 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
297337, Coll. of 300 BSS 
New York Historical Society, 
Uncat. Irish BSS 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
(2 copies) 
Providence Public Library/Special Collections, 
Uncat. BSS 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
UCLA Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballad Collection, I, 7 
BS Ballad Collection, VI, 47 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Yale, 
Ib57+t3, Misc. English and Irish BSS 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867-9) 
Folio 254 
P Brereton 1 lr Exchange St. Dublin (1867- 9) 
412 
II657Tl, Fraser Ballads, IX, 24 
William Pratt, Prin~er, 82 Digbeth, 
Birmingham (1849-56) 
National Library of Ireland, 
McCall, I, 59 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
O'Leary, 34 
Royal Irish Academy, 
66.h.17 
Gilbert, Irish Ballads, no. 149 
Harding's Dublin Songster, 694 
Healy, Mercier Book, I, 101 
Hindley, History of Catnach Press, 239 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
7122 (Dartmouth, N.S., 1943) 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive, 
Leach Coll., #14 (Nfld.) 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
285, p. 454 (Galway, 1920) 
1592, p. 2 (Cork, 1960) 
Sl002, p. 106 (Cavan, 1938) 
S119, p. 372 (Mayo, co. 1938) 
T60Mb/UCLA T7-69-53 (Kerry, 1958) 
Morton Coll., TB/UCLA T5-73-38 (Armagh, 1968) 
Morton Coll., T25/UCLA T5-73-49 (Fermanagh, 1970) 
MacDonagh 
Dean, 105 
Randolph, I, 216 
Creighton, Maritime, 147 
Mackenzie, 111 
Peacock, III, 966 
Topic 12T140 (recording) 
Dallas, 77 
Palmer, 171 
Seeger and Maccoll, 30 
Topic 12TS232 (recording) 
413 
Greig, Folk-Song of North-East, xxv 
Greig-Duncan, 273-,-no. 99 
Ord, 298 
Morton, Come Day, 134 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 206 Wilgus-Long 
III. COMMENTS 
Ebsworth (Bagford Ballads, I, 112) notes a song called 
Billy and Molly, or the Con:sta:nt Couple,!!_ new song, 
printed and sold at 42, Long Lane, Smithfield, which 
begins, "O cursed be the wars that ever they began,/ 
For they have press'd my BILLY, and many a clever man; 
/For they have press'd my BILLY, and brothers all 
three,/ And sent them to the wars in North America" 
(the usual ending stanza of The Ban:ks of the Nile). 
According to Ebsworth the ballad is in~he Madden 
Collection, I, 130. 
Rollins (Analytical Index, p. 23, no. 199) cites a 
version of the ballad to which Ebsworth refers en-
titled Billy and Molly,! Song, registered April 1, 
1686 to Joshua Conyers. 
Laws (American Ballads, p. 207) observes that The 
Banks of the Nile has been connected with the---rBOl 
battleof Aboukir in Egypt, and the "Dixie's Isle" 
versions of it, with the American Civil War. 
414 
THE BANKS OF THE NILE (N-9) 
The Banks of the Nile. 
Hark! hark! the drums do beat, my love, and I must haste away, 
The bugles sweetly sound, and no longer can I stay; 
We are called up to Portsmouth many a long mile, 
All for to be embarked for the banks of the Nile. 
0 Billy, dearest Billy, these words will break my heart, 
Come let us now be married before that we do part; 
For the parting from my Billy is the parting with my life--
0 stay at home, dear Billy, make me your lawful wife. 
0 Nancy, dearest Nancy, sure that will never do, 
For government has ordered no women there to go, 
For government has ordered, the king he doth command, 
And I'm bound on oath, my love, to serve on foreign land. 
I'll put on my velveteens, and go along with you, 
I'll volunteer my service, and I'll go to Egypt too, 
I'll fight under your banner, kind fortune yet may smile, 
And I'll be your loving comrade on the banks of the Nile. 
Your waist it is too slender, your complexion is too fine, 
Your constitution is too weak, to stand this hot campagin; 
For the sultry sun of Egypt your precious health would spoil, 
And the hot sandy deserts on the banks of the Nile 
Oh, cursed, cursed, be the day, that e'er the wars began! 
For they've ta'en out of Scotland O many a pretty man, 
They've ta'en from us our life-guards, protectors of our isle, 
And their bodies feed the worms on the banks of the Nile. 
Let a hundred days be darken'd, let maidens give a sigh, 
Twould melt the very elements to hear the wounded cry;--
Let a hundred days be brightened, let maidens give a smile, 
And remember Abercromby on the banks of the Nile. 
W, & T. Fordyce, Printers, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(No. 172) 
Harvard, *54-784, Vol. I, Bs. 161 
415 
" 
THE BANKS OF THE NILE (N-9) 
Banks of the Nile. 
Harkness, Printer, 121, Church Street, Preston. 
Hark, I hear the drums beating--no longer can I stay, 
I hear the trumpets sounding my love I must away, 
We are ordered from Portsmouth many a long mile, 
For to join the British soldiers on the banks of the Nile. 
Willy, dearest Willy, dont leave me hear fo mourn, 
You'll make me curse and rue the day, that ever I was born; 
For the parting of my own true love is parting of my life, 
So stay at home dear Willy and I will be your wife, 
I will cut off my yellow locks and go along with you, 
I will dress myself in velveteens and go see Egypt too, 
I will fight or bear your banner while kind fortune seems to smile 
And we'll comfort one another on the banks of the Nile. 
Nancy, dearest Nacy, with me you cannot come, 
Our Colonel, he gives orders no women there shall go, 
We must forget our own sweethearts beside our native soil, 
And go fight the Blacks, and Heathens on the banks of the Nile. 
Your waist it is too slender love, your fingers are too small, 
I'd be afraid you would not answer me, when on you I would call, 
Your delicate constitution, would not bear the unwholesome clime, 
Nor the cold sandy deserts on the banks of the Nile. 
My curse attend the war, and the day it first began, 
It has robbed old Ireland of many a clever man, 
It took from us our true-loves, the protectors of our soil, 
To fight the Blacks and negroes on the banks of the Nile. 
So now the war is over, and homewards we'll return, 
Unto our Sweethearts, and our wives we left behind to mourn, 
We'll embrace them in our arms, until the end of time, 
And we'll go no more to battle on the banks of the Nile. 
250 
Harvard, *54-784, Vol. I, Bs. 228 
416 
16. THE BONNY LASSIE'S ANSWER 
The Bonny Lassie's Answer 
Farewell to Glasgow, 
Likewise to Lanarkshire, 
And farewell my dearest parents, 
For I'll ne'er see ye mair, 
For the want of pocket money, 
And for the want of cash 
Makes monie a bonnie laddie 
To leave his bonnie lass. 
CHORUS. 
For I am forced to go love, 
Where no one shall me know, 
But the bonnie lassie's answer 
Was aye no, no. 
He says the king (or queen) is "wanting men," and he must 
go. She entreats him to stay at home, then offers to "cut 
off [her] yellow hair" and go with him. He tells her to 
stay home then lifts up "her lily hand" and declares his 
"fervent love." He bids farewell to his homeland and his 
"bonny Jean" whom he'll "ne'er see mair." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. Ballads, IV 
Uncat. Ballads, III (1865) 
Uncat. Ballads, I 
Library of Congress/Music Division, 
Uncat. Ballads 
Walker, Printer, Durham (1797-1846) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
H80.219, 28 
UCLA/Sp.Coll., 
11605 
Walker, Printer, Durham (1797-1846) 
Yale, 
Ib57+t3, Misc. BSS 
Walker, Printer, Durham (1797-1846) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Ford, Vagabond Songs, I, 67 
Greig-Duncan, 265, no. 98 
417 
THE BONNY LASSIE'S ANSWER 
The Bonny Lassie's Answer 
Farewell to Glasgow, 
Likewise to Lanarkshire, 
And farwell my dearest parents, 
For I'll ne'er see ye mair: 
For the want of pocket money, 
And for the want of cash, 
Makes mony a bonny laddie 
To leave his bonny lass. 
CHORUS. 
For I am forced to go, love, 
Where no one shall be know, 
But the bonny lassie's answer 
Was aye no, no. 
For the king is wanting men, 
And I for one must go, 
And it's for my life, love, 
I dar not answer no, 
O! stay at home my bonny lad, 
And dinna gang afar, 
For little do you know 
The dangers of the war. 
For I am bound, &c. 
It's I'll cut off my yellow hair, 
And go along with thee, 
And be your faithful comrade 
In some foreign country, 
Stay at home, my bonny lass, 
And dinna gang wi' me, 
For little, little do you know 
Of the dangers of the sea. 
For I am bound, &c. 
He lifted up her lily hand, 
And laid it on his heart, 
And said, my bonny lassie, 
From you I canna part; 
The fervent love I have for you, 
Is constant, true and kind, 
418 
You're always present to my view, 
And never from my mind. 
But I am forced, &c. 
Farewell to Cascon's sunny braes, 
Where oft-time I hae been, 
And farewell to the banks of Clyde, 
And bonny Glasgow green, 
Farewell my loving comrades, 
I won my heart is sair, 
Farewell for aye, my bonny Jean, 
For I'll ne'er see ye mair. 
For I am forced, &c. 
Walker, Printer, Durham 
[37) 
UCLA, SC #605 
419 
17. HENRY AND NANCY 
Henry and Nancy; or The Lover's Seperation 
As I walked out one morning in the spring time of the 
year, 
I overheard a sailor bold, likewise a lady fair: 
They sung a song together that made the vallies ring, 
Whilst birds on sprays and meadows gay proclaim'd a 
lovely spring. 
Henry tells Nancy he "soon must sail away," for "the Queen 
she does want seamen." Nancy urges him to "stay at home" 
with her or to let her "put on a pair of trowsers" and go 
with him. He replies that "they will not ship a female" 
and adds that her "hands are delicate, the ropes will make 
them sore." He tells her that "four is the bounty" and he 
will help her aged parents while he is at sea. He exhorts 
her to change her ring with him. Nancy faints but awakens 
so they can shake hands together and take "a fond adieu." 
The ballad ends with a scene of weeping mothers "crowded 
on the Tower hill." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.17, I, 78 
Harkness, Printer, 121 Church-street, 
Preston (c.1840-60) 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Harkness, 
Preston 
New York Public 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Harkness, 
Preston 
Printer, 121 Church-street, 
(c.1840-60) 
Library/Rare Book Division, 
Printer, 121 Church-street, 
(c.1840-60) 
420 
HENRY AND NANCY 
Henry and Nancy, Or, The Lover's Seperation 
As I walked out one morning in the spring time of the year, 
I overheard a sailor bold, likewise a lady fair: 
They sung a song together that made the vallies ring, 
Whilst birds on sprays and meadows gay proclaim'd a lovely spring 
Then Henry said to Nancy, I soon must sail away, 
It is lovely on the water to hear the music play, 
The Queen she does what seamen so I'll not stay on shore. 
So I'll brave the wars for my country's cause cannons loudly roar. 
Oh, then said pretty Nancy pray stay at home with me, 
Or let me go along with you to bear your company, 
I'll put on a pair of trowsers and leave my native shore, 
Then let me go along with you where cannons loud do roar. 
It will not do said Henry, it's vain for you to try, 
They will not ship a female, young Henry did reply: 
Besides your hands are delicate, the ropes will make them sore, 
'Twould be worse if you should fall where the cannons loudly roar. 
Four is the bounty, and that will do for thee, 
To help thy aged parents while I am far at sea; 
Come, change your ring with me, my love, for we may meet once more 
For one above may guide your love where cannons loudly roar. 
Poor Nancy fell and fainted but soon they brought her too. 
They then shook hands together and took a fond adieu, 
The Tower hill was crowded with mothers weeping sore, 
For sons that's gone to face the foe where cannons loudly roar. 
There's many a mother's darling has entered for the main, 
And in the dreadful battles what numbers will be slain; 
For many a weeping mother and widow will deplore. 
For those who fall by cannon balls where cannons loudly roar. 
231. 
Harkness, Printer, Church-Street, Preston 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BS Ballads, Box I, A-B 
421 
18. TRUE LOVERS 
(True Lovers or, The King's Commands Must Be 
Obeyed; High Germany) 
True Lovers or, The King's Commands Must be Obeyed 
Abroad as I was a walking, a walking alone, 
I heard two lovers talking, a talking alone: 
Says the young one to the fair one, 
Bonnie lassie this way, 
The King has commanded us, 
And his orders we must obey. 
That's not what you promis'd me when you did me 
beguile, 
You promised to marry me when you got me with child, 
It's do not forsake, but pity on me take, 
For great is my woe-------
Thro' Scotland, France, and Ireland 
Along with you I'll go. 
He says the "long and weary travelling" would hurt her 
"tender feet," she "would not yield to lie in open field," 
and her "parents would be angry." She says she values 
neither parents nor friends and wants to go with him "to 
fight the French and Spaniards." He says that since she is 
"so venturesome" he will marry her and protect her "in the 
wars of High Germany." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48 Dean-street, Newcastle 
(1829-37) 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48 Dean-street, Newcastle 
(1829-37) 
25242.17, I, 123 
Spencer, Bradford 
25242.17, I, 136 
Spencer, Bradford 
25242.17, XIII, 95 
London: H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 
177 Union Street, Borough.--SE (1869-86) 
Huntington Library, 297337, Coll. of 300 BSS, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-Court, 
7 Dials (1813-35) 
422 
B. Folksong Versions 
Baring-Gould and Sheppard, Garland, 6 
Hammond, Folk Songs from Dorset 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., l, 513 
Kidson and Moffat, Garland 
Palmer, 154 
Reeves, Everlasting Circle, 151 
Sharp, English County Folk Songs, 12 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 73 
Thomson, 18, no. 18 
423 
TRUE LOVERS; OR, THE KING'S COMMANDS MUST BE OBEY'D 
The True Lovers; Or, The King's 
Commands Must Be Obey'd. 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-Court. 
Abroad as I was walking alone 
I heard two lovers talking a talking alone 
Says the young one to the fair one, 
Bonnie lassie this way, 
The King he has commanded us, 
And his orders we must obey. 
That's not what you promised me when you did me beguile, 
You promised to marry me, when you got me with child, 
So do not me forsake but pity on me take, 
For real is my woe, 
Thro' Scotland, Ireland, and France, 
Along with you I'll go. 
Those long and weary travellings would hurt your tender feet, 
Those hills and lofty mountains would cause you for to weep, 
Besides you would not yield to lay in an open field, 
With me all night long; 
Your parents would be angry, 
If along with me you'd been. 
My parents I don't value nor my foes I don't fear 
Along with my valiant sailor I will travel far & near, 
It's gold shall never me deceive or any other fee, 
Along with you I will go, 
To fight the French and the Spaniards 
Or any other daring foe. 
Since you are so venturesome to venture your sweet life, 
First I will marry you and make you my lawful wife, 
If any one offend you its I will defend you, 
And that you shall see you shall hear the drums 
And the trumpet sounds, 
In the wars of Germany. 
Huntington Library, 297337 
424 
TRUE LOVERS; OR, THE KING'S COMMANDS MUST BE OBEY'D 
The True Lovers; or, The Queen's Command 
Abroad as I was trav'ling, I was trav'ling all alone, 
I heard two lovers talking, they was talking all alone. 
Said the other one to the fair one, Bonny lassie, I must away, 
For the queen she has commanded and her orders I must obey. 
That was not what you promised me when by you I was beguiled 
You promised that you'd marry me when you got me with child 
Oh, it's do not forsake but pity take for great is my woe, 
Through France, Spain and bonny Ireland along with you I'll go. 
Those long and weary trav'lings they would hurt your tender feet 
Those hills and lofty mountains they would cause you for to weep, 
Besides, you would not like to yield to lay in the open field 
all night long, 
And your parents they would be angry if with me you'd been along. 
My parents I do not vally, my foes I do not fear, 
And along with my valiant soldier I will travel both far and near. 
Gold or other fee will not deceive me and along with you I will go 
For to fight the French and the Spaniards or any other daring foe. 
Since you are so venturesome to venture your sweet life, 
The first thing I'll marry you and make you my lawful wife. 
If anyone offend, I'll soon defend, and that you'll quickly see; 
The trumpet you shall hear and drum in the wars of Germany. 
Palmer, The Rambling Soldier, p. 154. 
425 
19. WILLIAM OF THE MAN-OF-WAR 
(William of the Man-of-War; A New Song 
Called the Man-of-War) 
William of the Man-of-War 
On a Winter's day as I was walking, dark and cloudy 
was the sky, 
I overheard two lovers talking, the tears stood 
trembling in each eye, 
The one appeared a lovely damsel, the other was a 
gallant tar, 
Compelled he was by fame and fortune, to sail on 
board a Man-of-War. 
He says he must leave her but will return "with cash in 
store." Fanny begs him not to go saying "you know my situ-
ation." She says that she wants to "be a sailor true and 
kind." He says her parents would be offended, and if he 
were to die, "no friend [she'd] have at all." She says that 
she will think of him until he returns. Because she seems 
"undaunted" he says he will marry her and "ne'er bid adieu." 
He will "guard [his] ranger through all danger." (One ver-
sion ends before this change of heart, and he leaves her 
behind). 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.74, "Bluebound book," 58 
Printed and Sold by J. Wrigley, Jun. (c.1850) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVBp.v.3, 58 
Swindells, Printer, Manchester (1760-1853) 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 Ballads, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3 Monmouth-Court, 
7 Dials. Country Shops Supplied (1836-38) 
426 
WILLIAM OF THE MAN-OF-WAR 
William of the Man-of-War 
Printed and Sold by J. Wrigley, Jun----
One winter's day as I was walking. 
Dark and cloudy was the sky, 
A smart and gay young pair were talking, 
A tear stood trembling in each eye. 
The one appeared a virtuous maiden, 
The other was a gallant Tar; 
Compell'd he was, by fate and fortune, 
To sail on board of a man-of-war. 
Said this young sailor, I must leave you, 
Our sovereign's orders I must obey; 
I never intended to deceive you--
Dearest Fanny, shun dismay. 
I'm going to cross the raging ocean, 
And from my Fanny ramble far; 
Should I come home with cash in store, 
I'd bid farewell to the man-of-war. 
Young man, you know my situation; 
Do not leave me here behind; 
I'll bid adieu to each relation,--
Be a sailor true and kind. 
If sick or in sorrow, I will follow, 
To heal your wounds, when you are far; 
And hear, in battle, cannons' rattle--
With you on board of a man-of-war. 
Suppose your parents you offended, 
And I should in the battle fall; 
Then when your sailor's life was ended, 
Alas! no friend you'd have at all. 
Because, if you are such a ranger, 
You from all friends must ramble far; 
So be a stranger to each danger, 
Nor sail with me on board of a man-of-war 
She wept, and said, before we are parted, 
Take advice from one that's true: 
If here you leave me, broken-hearted, 
I never more your face can view. 
While, William dear, you are on the ocean, 
I will think upon my gallant tar; 
My heart, with fear, is still in motion, 
Till you return from the man-of-war. 
427 
Now since my dear, you seem undaunted, 
To Fanny I'll ne'er bid adieu; 
I'll ask the favour, if 'tis granted, 
Before I go, to marry you. 
I'll guard my ranger through all danger, 
And from all foes, when we are far. 
So God protect young faithful Fanny, 
With William, in the man-of-war. 
Harvard, "Street Ballads" (Single volume bound in blue--no Call fl; 
shelved where 25242.74 could be), p. 58 
428 
WILLIAM OF THE MAN-OF-WAR 
A New Song called The Man-of-War. 
On a Summer's day as I was walking, dark and dismal was the sky, 
I overheard two lovers talking, the tears stood trembling in each eye, 
The one appeared a lovely damsel, the other was a gallant tar, 
Compelled he was by fame and fortune, to sail on board a Man-of-War. 
Says this young sailor I must leave you, my Sovereign's orders I 
must obey, 
I ne'er Intend for to deceive you, so Fanny dear now shun dismay. 
When I am ploughing the raging ocean, and from my Fanny ramble far, 
But I'll return with cash in store, and bid farewell to the Man-of-War. 
Young man you know my situation, do not leave me here behind, 
I'll bid farewell to each relation, and be a sailor true and kind, 
For, sick or sorrow, I will follow, to heal your wounds when you 
are far, 
And when in battle cannons rattle, with William on board the Man-of-
War, 
Suppose your parents you offended, and in that battle I should fall, 
Then your sailor's life, alas! was ended, no friend you'd have at all, 
Besides, if you are such a ranger, and from your friends would 
ramble far, 
So be a stranger to all danger, ne'er sail with William in the 
Man-of-War. 
She wept and sighed before they parted, take an advice from me that's 
true, 
If here you leave me brok-hearted, you never more my face will view, 
Whilst, William dear, you're on the ocean, I'll still think on my 
gallant tar, 
My heart with fear is still in motion, till you return from the 
Man-of-War. 
National Library of Ireland BSS (UCLA Folklore Archive) 
429 
20. WILLIAM OF THE ROYAL WAGGON TRAIN 
(William of the Royal Waggon Train; Lovely 
William of the Royal Waggon Train; Young 
William of the Royal Waggon Train; William of 
the Waggon Train; Young William of the Waggon 
Train) 
Lovely William of the Royal Waggon Train 
One lovely morning I was walking, 
In the merry month of May, 
Alone a smart young pair were talking, 
I overheard what they did say. 
The one appear'd a lovely maiden, 
Seemingly in grief and pain; 
The other was a fine young soldier, 
A serjeant in the waggon train. 
He says by "royal orders" he must leave her and that he 
"ne'er intended to deceive" her. He says that if her 
parents she "offended" and if he should fall in battle, she 
would have no friends. If she is "such a ranger," she will 
"have to cross the raging main." He advises her to "be a 
stranger to such danger" and "say farewell to the waggon 
train." She asks him not to leave her behind in her "situ-
ation" and says that she will "bid adieu to each relation" 
and will "soothe [his] care" and "drown [his] pain." He 
says that since she seems "so undaunted" he will marry her 
and "ne'er bid adieu" but will "guard [his] ranger through 
each danger." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.71, 26r 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 Monmouth-court, 7 Dials 
(1813-35) 
25242.71, 66r 
W. Midgley, Russell Street, Halifax (c.1855) 
25243.lOPF 
25242.17, I, 144 
W. Midgley, Russell Street, Halifax (c.1855) 
25242.17, III, 149 
Forth, Printer, Pocklington (c. 1855) 
25242.17, VI, 231 
J. Cadman, Printer, 152 Great Ancoat Street, 
Manchester (1850-55) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
430 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 Monmouth-court, 7 Dials 
(1813-35) 
Uncat. Bss, I 
E. Hodges, from Pitt's Toy and Marble Ware-
house, 31, Monmouth Street, 7 Dials. (1844) 
Cambridge, 
Madden Collection, XVI, no. 180 
W. and T. Fordyce, Printers, Dean-Street, 
Newcastle. To be had also at 24 Humber Dock 
Street, Hull. (1837-41) 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 Ballads, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 
Dials (1813-35) 
Yale, 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, IX, 52 
London: H.P. Such, Machine Printer and 
Publisher, 177, Union-street, Borough. 
(1869-86) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Brocklebank and Kindersley, 5 
431 
YOUNG WILLIAM OF THE ROYAL WAGGON TRAIN 
---
Young William of the Royal Waggon Train 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials. 
One lovely morning I was walking, 
In the merry month of May, 
Alone a smart young pair were talking, 
I overheard what they did say. 
The one appeared a lovely maiden, 
Seemingly in grief and pain; 
The other was a gay young soldier, 
A serjeant in the waggon train. 
Said this young soldier I must leave you 
The Royal orders I must obey, 
I ne'er intended to deceive you, 
So dearest Nancy shun dismay. 
I'm going to cross the raging ocean, 
And if fam'd laurels I should gain, 
I may return with high promotion, 
And bid farewell the waggon train. 
Suppose your parents you offended, 
And I should in the battle fall? 
Then when your Soldier's life is ended, 
Alas! no friend you'll find at all. 
Besides if you are such a ranger, 
You'll have to cross the raging main, 
So be a stranger to such danger, 
Say farewell to the waggon train. 
Young man you know my situation, 
Do not leave me here behind: 
I'll bid adieu to each relation, 
Be a Soldier true and kind. 
If sick, or in sorrow, I will follow, 
To sooth your care and drown your pain; 
And in the battle hear the rattle 
Of your royal waggon train. 
432 
Since you seem so much undaunted, 
Nancy, I'll ne'er bid adieu; 
I'll ask the favour, if 'tis granted, 
Before I go to marry you. 
I'll guard my ranger, through each danger, 
And from the foe in France and Spain, 
So Heaven protect young faithful Nancy 
With William in the waggon train. 
Huntington Library, 297337 
433 
YOUNG WILLIAM OF THE ROYAL WAGGON TRAIN 
Lovely William of the Royal Waggon Train 
One lovely morning I was walking, 
In the merry month of May, 
Alone a smart young pair were talking, 
I overheard what they did say. 
The one appear'd a lovely maiden, 
Seemingly in grief and pain; 
The other was a fine young soldier, 
A serjeant in the waggon train. 
Said this young soldier, I must leave you, 
The royal orders I must obey; 
I ne'er intended to deceive you, 
So, dearest Nancy, shun dismay. 
I'm going to cross the raging ocean, 
And if fam'd laurels I should gain, 
I may return with high promition, 
And bid farewell to the waggon train. 
Suppose your parents you offended, 
And I should in the battle fall, 
Then when your soldier's life is ended, 
Alas! no friend you'll find at all. 
Besides, if you are such a ranger, 
You'll have to cross the raging main; 
So be a stranger to such danger, 
Say farewell to the waggon train. 
Young man, you know my situation, 
Do not leave me here behind; 
I'll bid adieu to each relation, 
And be a soldier true and kind. 
If sick, or in sorrow, I will follow, 
To soothe your care and drown your pain; 
And in the battle hear the rattle 
Of your royal waggon train. 
434 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Since you seem so much undaunted, 
Nancy I'll ne'er bid adieu; 
I'll ask the favour, if 'tis granted, 
Before I go to marry you. 
I'll guard my ranger through each danger, 
And from the foe in France and Spain; 
So Heaven protect young faithful Nancy, 
With William in the waggon train. 
Fordyce, Printer, 48 , Dean Street, Newcastle. 
To be had also at 24, Humber Dock Street, Hull • 
Madden Coll., Vol. XVI No. 180, p. 181 
435 
21. THE LOYAL SOULDIERS COURTSHIP 
The Loyal Soldiers Courtship; or Constant 
Peggy's Kind Answer. Being Her Resolution 
to Forsake her Friends, and Venture to the 
Wars with her Beloved Souldier. 
Upon the Banks of Ireland, 
When first we landed there, 
So cold was then our lodging, 
Yet harder was our Fare; 
For want of Meat and Drink, Sir, 
Our Men did pine and dye, 
And I will no more go 
Into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
The soldier asks Peggy to come with him to England where he 
will "study [her] Promotion." She says that she fears her 
"parents anger" and worries that, once there, he will leave 
her. He persists, and she agrees to go, "a Musquet on 
[her] shouldier as a fellow-souldier." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepys Ballads, V, 43 
Printed for P. Brooksby, I. Deacon, I. Blare, 
and I. Back. (1682-96) 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Museum, Vol. 225, p. 641 
Crawford, 1232 
Wing, L3370 
III. COMMENTS 
Rollins notes (Pepys Ballads, V, 43): "Duke Schomberg 
reached Dundalk, where he established his quarters, 
on September 7, 1689." 
436 
THE LOYAL SOLDIERS COURTSHIP 
The Loyal Soldiers Coursthip; 
Or Constant Peggy's Kind Answer. Being Her 
Resolution To Forsake Her Friends, And Venture 
To The Wars With Her Beloved Souldier. 
To a Pleasant New Tune. 
Licensed according to Order. 
Upon the Banks of Ireland, 
when first we Landed there, 
So cold was then our Lodging, 
yet harder was our Fare; 
For want of Meat and Drink, Sir, 
our Men did pine and dye, 
And I will no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
0 come away, sweet Peggy, 
and hear what I shall say, 
We must for famous England, 
there to receive our Pay: 
Now for thy constant kindness, 
I will love thee till I dye, 
And I will no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
I'll take thee cross the Ocean, 
unto my native Land, 
And study thy Promotion, 
then don't disputing stand; 
These Arms shall still Embrace thee, 
in Love and Constancy; 
And I will no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
Sweet Souldier, since you Woo'd me, 
my Friends have made a noise, 
Then do not thus delude me, 
with such fine Golden Ioys, 
For fear of Parents anger, 
your Suit I must deny, 
Although you will no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
437 
What need you fear your Father 
or Mothers angry Frowns? 
My Hand and Sword shall Guard you 
through Cities, Courts and Towns: 
For thee, my dearest Iewel, 
I'll Fight until I dye; 
And Love, I will no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
But Souldier, should you leave me, 
when you another find, 
This would perplex and grieve me, 
should you prove so unkind: 
Therefore I'm loath to venter, 
your Suit I must deny; 
Although you do no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
I cannot be so Cruel, 
while I remain alive, 
If I am false, sweet Iewel, 
then never let me thrive: 
I never will deceive thee, 
but love thee till I dye; 
Yet now I will no more go 
into Dundaugh Camp to lye. 
Souldier, as thou art Loyal, 
what e're become of me, 
I'll make no more denyal, 
but through the World with thee: 
My Fortune I will venter, 
whether I live or dye, 
The Field of Mars I'll enter, 
where we in Camp will lye. 
I'll leave my fond Relations, 
my Parents dear also, 
And unto Forreign Nations, 
along with thee I'll go: 
A Musquet on my shoulder, 
I'll bear right valiantly; 
Thus as a fellow-Souldier, 
with thee I'll live and dye. 
438 
Let's go on Board together, 
to Plow the Ocean Main, 
I fear no Wind nor Weather, 
Love, with the Warlike Train, 
In France or famous Flanders, 
where e're thy lot shall be, 
Vnder those brave Conunanders, 
I'll live and dye with thee. 
Printed for P. Brooksby, I, Deacon, I. Blare, and I. Back. 
Pepys Ballads, Vol. V, p. 43 
439 
22. HIGH GERMANY 
(High Germany; Higher Germany) 
High Germany 
0 Polly, love, 0 Polly, love, the route it is begun, 
And we must away at the sound of the drum, 
Go dress yourself in all your best and come along 
with me, 
And I'll take you to the wars in High Germany. 
She says that she is with child, her feet are sore, and she 
is "not fitting" to go. He offers to buy her a horse and 
says that they will "drink at every ale-house." He says 
that when the baby is born she will think of her Billy in 
High Germany. He asks her to promise to marry him when he 
returns. She laments the wars that "have pres' d [her] 
Billy and many clever men." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, Boswell Coll.,VII, 21 
Printed by M. Bowley, No. 96, Aldergate 
Street, London. (c.1799) 
25274.2, Boswell Coll., IX, 11 
Printed by M. Bowley, No. 96, Aldergate 
Street, London. (c.1799) 
25242.17, X, 87 
J.O. Bebbington, Printer, 26 Goulden Street, 
Oldham Road, Manchester, sold by J. Beaumont 
176, York Street, Leeds. (1855-70) 
25242.17, XIIl, 22 
Printed and Published by H. Such, 177 Union 
Street, Boro'--S.E. (1869-86) 
UCLA/Sp.Coll., 
/1605 
Yale, 
London:--H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 
177 (late 123), Union Street, Boro'--S.E. 
(c.1869) 
Ib57+t2, Misc. English BS Ballads 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-Court, 7 
Dials. (1813-35) 
B. Folksong Versions 
440 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
4391A2 (Glostershire, 1908) 
Dallas, 79 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., I, 509 
Kidson and Moffat, Garland, 82 
JFSS, II, 25 
Reeves, Everlasting Circle, 151 
Reeves, Idiom of People, 125 
Sharp, English Folk Songs, 93 
Sharp and Marson, Folk Songs from Somerset, I, 42 
Greig-Duncan, 256, no. 96 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 73 
441 
HIGH GERMANY 
The Lady's Evening Companion, Being A Choice Collection 
of Songs, sung this season at Vauxhall, and other public Places of 
Entertainment. 
Printed by M. Bowley, No. 96, Aldergate Street, London. 
High Germany. A new Song. 
0 Polly love, 0 Polly love, the rout is begun, 
And we must all away by the beat of the drum. 
Go dress yourself in all your best, and go along with me, 
And I'll take you to the wars in High Germany. 
0, my dearest Billy, mind what you say. 
My feet they are so sore, I cannot march away, 
Besides, my dearest Billy, I am with child by thee, 
Not fitting for the wars in High Germany. 
I will buy you a horse, love, if my Polly can ride. 
And many a long night I shall march by her side, 
We will drink at every alehouse that ever we come nigh, 
And we'll roll it on the road, sweet Molly and I. 
0 Polly love, 0 Polly love, I like you very well, 
There are few in this world with my Polly to excel. 
But when your babe is born love, and sits smiling on your knee, 
You will think on your Billy that is in high Germany 
Down in yonder valley I made my love a bed, 
And the sweetest of roses shall be his coverlid 
With pinks and sweet violets I will adorn his feet 
Where the fishes they are charm'd the music so sweet 
0, Polly love, O, Polly love, pray give me your right hand, 
And promise you will marry me when I come to Old England; 
I give you my right hand I will not marry'd be 
Till you come from the wars in High Germany. 
Woe be to the wars that every they began 
For they've prest my Billy and many a clever man. 
For they have took my Billy no more I shall him see. 
And so cold will be his grave in High Germany. 
The drum that he beats is cover'd with green, 
The pretty lambs a sporting much pleasure to be seen, 
May the birds on the branches hinder my downfal. 
The losing of my true love grieves me worst of all. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol. VII, Ch. 21. 
442 
HIGH GERMANY 
Higher Germany 
Oh Polly, love, oh Polly, the rout has now begun 
And I must march away to the beating of the drum, 
Come dress yourself all in your best and come along with me, 
I'll take you to the wars, my love, in Higher Germany. 
Oh Willie, love, oh Willie, come list what I do say, 
My feet they are too tender, I cannot march away. 
Besides, my dearest Willie, I am with child by thee, 
Not fitted for the cruel wars in Higher Germany. 
I'll buy for you a pony, love, and on it you shall ride 
And all my heart's delight shall be riding by your side. 
We'll stop at every alehouse and drink when we get dry, 
We'll be true to one another, get married by and by. 
Your curly locks I will cut off, and men's clothing you can wear. 
We'll ride together through the world and travel far and near, 
And when we are in battle we'll fight with sword in hand 
And the silver drum will merrily sound to drown those dismal cries. 
And when we get to Plymouth town I'll have for you a bed, 
It shall be covered in roses and roses shall be red. 
And when your baby there is born and smiling on your knee 
You will think on loving William and Higher Germany. 
Oh cursed be those cruel wars that ever they should rise, 
And out of merry England press many a lad likewise. 
They pressed my true love from me, likewise by brothers three, 
And they never will return again from Higher Germany. 
Dallas, The Cruel Wars, &c., 79. 
443 
23. THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL TO MANCHESTER (0-33) 
(Soldier's Farewell to Manchester; The Press'd Soldier; 
The Girl Volunteer; Johnny; The Cruel War is Raging; 
The War is Now Raging; Johnny must fight; Tomorrow is 
Sunday; The Wars of Germany; Civil War Song; Poor 
Johnnie; 0 Johnny, dear Johnny) 
The Soldier's Farewell to Manchester 
In coming down to Manchester to gain my liberty 
I saw one of the prettiest girls that e'er my eyes 
did see 
I saw one of the prettiest girls that e'er my eyes 
did see 
At the Angel inn in Manchester there lives the girl 
for me. 
He goes to her, his "parting vows to pay." He says that if 
he stays all night with her he will marry her "next morn." 
She tells him that he may do just as he wills. On Thurs-
day their "rout did come on Monday marched away." She 
asks, "Will you let me go along with you?" He answers, 
"No, no, my dear, no." She offers to give "ten guineas" 
to buy his discharge and says she'll put on "coat waist-
coat and breeches" and pass for his "comrade" as they "do 
march along." He still refuses her request saying that 
"sentry duty on a cold rainy day" will make her color go 
and her beauty "decay." She says that she will go to a 
nunnery and will remain "constant and true hearted" till 
her soldier comes again. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242. 75F, II 
Pitts, Printer and Toy Warehouse 6, Grat st, 
Andrew street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
New York Public Library/Rare 
KVB, I, 29v 
Pitts, Printer and Toy 
Andrew street 7 Dials. 
Uncat. BSS, III 
UCLA Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland 
B. Folksong Versions 
Book Division, 
Warehouse 6, Grat 
(1819-44) 
BSS 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
444 
st, 
Gordon Coll., NC MSS (Records A195 and 196) 
(NC, 1925) 
Gordon MS 1565 (Queensland, Australia, 1914) 
1732A2 (Ind., 1938) 
1794A2 (NC, 1939) 
2846B3 (NC, 1939) 
5247B2 (Mo., 1941) 
9485 (NC) 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore 
and Language Archive, 
Leach Coll., #7A (Trepassey, Nfld.) 
British Broadcasting Corporation Archive of 
Recorded Sound, 
12055 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
R208/UCLA T7-69-49 (Longford, 1947) 
Beard, 294 
Belden, 180 
Brown, 317 
Burton and Manning, 50 
Garrison, 70 
Randolph, I, 219 
Steely, 180 
Library of Congress/Folk 
Dallas, 71 
Music of US, XX 
(recording) 
Greig, Folk-Song of North-East, CVII, CXLI 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 241 
Rosenberg, 132, no. 1477 
Wilgus-Long 
445 
SOLDIER'S FAREWELL TO MANCHESTER (0-33) 
Soldier's Farewell to Manchester 
Pitts, Printer and Toy Warehouse 6, Grat st. Andrew street 7 Dials 
In coming down to Manchester to gain my liberty 
I saw one of the prettiest girl that e'er my eyes did see 
I saw one of the prettiest girls that e'er my eyes did see 
At the Angel inn in Manchester there lives the girl for me. 
It was early the next morning by the break of day, 
I went to my love's fire side my parting vows to pay 
I huddled her and cuddled her and bade her to lie warm, 
She says my jolly soldier do you mean me any harm 
To do you any harm my love is what I always scorn 
If I stay with you all night my dear I'll marry you next morn, 
Before all of my officers these words I will fulfill 
She says my jolly soldier you may do just as you will 
On Thursday our rout did come on Monday marched away, 
The drums and bugle horns so sweetly they did play 
Some hearts they are merry love but mine was filled with woe, 
Will you let go along with you? No no, my dear no 
I'll go down unto your officers and fall upon my knees. 
Ten quineas I'll surren4er for to buy my love's discharge. 
But if that will not do my dear along with you I'll go 
Will you let me go along with you? No hang me if I do, 
Coat waistcoat and breeches so freely I'll put on, 
And pass for your comrade as we do march along, 
Before all of your officers my duty I will do, 
Will you let me go along with you? No hang me if I do, 
If I see you stand sentry on a cold rainy day. 
Your colour it will go my love your beauty will decay, 
If I see you stand sentry 'twill fill my heart with woe, 
Stay at home my dearest Nancy but still she answer'd no, 
I'll go down to some nunnery and there I'll end my life, 
I never will be married nor yet become a wife 
But constant and true hearted for ever still remain 
And I never will be married till my soldier comes again. 
Harvard, 25242.75F, Vol. II, BS 135 
446 
THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL TO MANCHESTER (0-33) 
The press'd Soldier. 
It's woe be to the press-masters that's prest away my dear, 
My heart is surrounded with sorrow and care: 
The hearts of those is glad when mine is very sad; 
Shall I go with you Jockie, O! no, no. 
down to his captain and fall on my knees 
five or six guineas I'll buy my love's discharge 
And if it will not do my dear, along with him I'll 
Then shall I go with you Jockie? Oh! no, no. 
So safe and secure I will lie in his arms, 
go 
The drums they do beat and the trumpets they do sound; 
He'll stand upon his century and fight for me also; 
And shall I go with you Jockie, O! no, no. 
To see my love stand centry in a cold winter's day 
His beauty will fade and his colour will decay: 
To see our gallant soldiers marching on the plain, 
Then shall I go with you Jockie, O! no, no. 
F I N I S • 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division - Uncat. BSS, Box III 
447 
THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL TO MANCHESTER (0-33) 
Poor Johnnie 
Oh, the war is raging, poor Johnny must fight, 
I want to be with Johnnie from morning till night. 
I want to be with Johnnie, it grieves my heart so, 
Won't you let me go with you? 0 no, my love no. 
I will roach back my hair, common clothes I'll put on, 
I will be your companion as we march along. 
I will be your companion through troubles and distress, 
Won't you let me go with you? 0 yes, my love yes. 
With rings on your fingers and bells on your toes, 
She will make sweetest music wherever she goes. 
She will make sweetest music--it grieves my heart so. 
Won't you let me go with you? 0 no, my love, no. 
They would stand you on picket some cold winter day, 
And them red rosy lips they would soon fade away, 
Them red rosy lips -- it grieves my heart so, --
Won't you let me go with you? 0 no, my love, no. 
Sunday is a coming and Monday is the day 
That your captain calls for you and you must obey, 
Your Captain calls for you--it grieves my heart so,--
Won't you let me go with you? 0 no, my love, no. 
I will go to your captain, get down on my knees, 
Give one hundred bright dollars for your release, 
One hundred bright dollars, -- it grieves my heart so,--
Won't you let me go with you? 0 no, my love, no. 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song - Gordon Coll., 
North Carolina Manuscripts, 284/ Records Al95 & Al96/ Bessie 
Littrell Manuscript, 386; sung by Bessie Littrell, Asheville, 
North Carolina, 1925. 
448 
THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL TO MANCHESTER (0-33) 
Oh No, No. 
Come here dearest Peggy, you're my whole heart's delight, 
But the fairest of days, love, brings on the dark night; 
So fain's I wad bide, love, but away I must go, 
And ye canna win wi' me, lovie, oh no, no. 
You see yonder soldiers, lovie, how they march on, 
With their guns in good order, and their swords all drawn; 
So fain's I wad bide, lovie, but away I must go, 
And ye canna come wi' me, lovie, oh no, no. 
You see yonder mountains so gloomy and high, 
They've parted mony's the lover, and they'll part you and I: 
So fain's I wad bide, love, but away I must go, 
And ye canna come wi' me, lovie, oh no, no. 
You see yonder seas, lovie, how they arise, 
They've caused mony's the sweetheart to gie heavy sighs, 
They've sinner't mony's the sweetheart, and they'll sinner us so, 
And ye canna come wi' me, lovie, oh no, no. 
If ye were in India, 'mong the frost and the rain, 
Your colour it wad fade, love, and your beauty wad stain, 
And I wad be sorry, lovie, to see you so, 
And ye canna come wi' me, lovie, oh no, no. 
If I were in India 'mong the frost and the snow, 
I wad stand at your back, lovie, and keep off the foe. 
So fain's I wad bide, love, but away I must go, 
And ye canna come wi' me, lovie, oh no, no. 
I'll go into some nunnery, and their spend my life, 
I never will marry nor be called a man's wife; 
I'm careless, said Peggy, wherever I go, 
Since I canna win wi' ye, lovie, oh no, no. 
Hold down your hands, Peggy, why tear your hair so? 
I never intended, love, away for to go; 
Come along wi' me, love, and married we will be, 
And I'll take you home wi' me to bonny Lochlee. 
Greig, FSNE CXLI 
449 
24. THE HIGHLAND SOLDIER 
(The Highland Soldier; The Gallant Soldier) 
The Highland Soldier 
On the Highland mountains so far away, 
There dwelt a lovely maiden, 
One morn so early she did stray, 
For to view the soldiers parading. 
They march'd so bold, all drest so gay, 
With colours flying, and the band did play, 
Which caus'd that maiden for to say, 
I'll gang unto my Highland soldier. 
She finds her father "cruel" for banishing her "true-love." 
She says that she will "forsake them all" and go along with 
him. William admonishes her to mind her parents and says 
that she will "grieve" if she ventures "to a foreign 
clime." Mary blushes, "tears her eyes bedewing," and asks 
to go to "wander to and fro, to guard [her] highland sol-
dier." William answers that their pay and rations are "so 
scanty," but Mary says that she has "fifty pounds in store 
and a heart--and that's much more." Because she is "so 
true and so tender-hearted," he consents to marry her and 
take her "to a foreign land." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
Printed and sold by W. and T. Fordyce, 
Newcastle and Hull. To be had also of J. 
Whinham and Co, 66 Scotch-st., Carlisle. 
(1837-44) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
H80.219, 43r 
B. Folksong Versions 
Greig-Duncan, 224, no. 91 
S. Henry, no. 782 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
450 
THE HIGHLAND SOLDIER 
The Highland Soldier. 
Tune--The Rambling Sailor. 
On the Highland mountains so far away, 
There dwelt a lovely maiden, 
One morn so early she did stray. 
For to view the soldiers parading. 
They march'd so bold, all drest so gay. 
With colours flying, and the band did play, 
Which caus'd that maiden for to say, 
I'll gang unto my Highland soldier. 
She watch'd those soldiers from the plain, 
Till they were at their leisure, 
Where she beheld her darling swain--
She cried, I've found my treasure. 
How could my cruel father be, 
To banish my true-love so long from me? 
I'll forsake them all and gang along with thee, 
My bold young Highland soldier. 
Said William, your parents you should mind, 
Pray do not be unruly, 
And if you gang to a foreign clime, 
You'll grieve, believe me, truly. 
If I in battle should chance to fall, 
All by an angry cannon ball, 
And you so far from your father's hall, 
Be advis'd by your Highland soldier. 
A blush bedeck'd her lovely cheek, 
And tears her eyes bedewing, 
She said, my William, hear me speak, 
Or, alas! 'twill prove my ruin. 
It's never say no, love, let me go, 
With you I'd face the daring foe, 
With my gun I will wander to and fro, 
To guard my Highland soldier. 
Our pay, says William is so small, 
Our rations are so scanty, 
It is that would grieve me the worse than all, 
When at home you could have plenty. 
451 
She replied--I've fifty pounds in store, 
Besides I've a heart--and that's much more; 
I would give it all to the lad I do adore, 
To gang with my Highland soldier. 
Said William, since you are so true, 
And seem so tender-hearted, 
Sweet maiden, I will marry you, 
Till death we will never be parted. 
And when we go to a foreign land, 
I'll guard my true-love at my right hand, 
And Providence may stand the friend, 
Of Mary and her Highland soldier. 
Printed and sold by W. & T. Fordyce, Newcastle and Hull. 
To be had also of J. Whinham & Co., 66, Scotch-st., Carlisle. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. I, BS. 512 
452 
THE HIGHLAND SOLDIER 
The Gallant Soldier. 
On the lofty mountains far away, 
There dwells a comely maiden, 
And she roved out on a sunnner's day 
For to view the soldiers parading; 
They marched so bold and they looked so gay, 
Their colours flying and their bands did play, 
It cause young Mary for to say. 
I'll wed you, my gallant soldier. 
She viewed the soldiers on parade, 
As they stood at their leisure; 
And Mary to herself did say, 
At length I've found my treasure; 
But, Oh, how cruel my parents must be, 
To banish my darling so far from me; 
I'll part them all and go with thee; 
My bold undaunted soldier. 
Oh, Mary dear, your parents love; 
I pray don't be unruly; 
For when I'm in a foreign land, 
Believe me, you'd rue it surely: 
Perhaps in battle I might fall 
By a shot from an angry cannon ball, 
And you so far from your daddy's hall: 
Be advised by a gallant soldier. 
Oh, don't say so, but let me go, 
And I will face the daring foe, 
And wander with you, to and fro, 
And wed you, my gallant soldier; 
I have fifty guineas of bright gold, 
Besides a heart that's bolder; 
I'll part it all and go with thee, 
My bold undaunted soldier. 
453 
• 
• 
Now when he saw her loyalty, 
And Mary so true-hearted, 
He says, "My darling, married we will be, 
And nothing but death will part us. 
And when I'm in a foreign land, 
I'll guard you, darling, with my right hand, 
In hopes that God may stand a friend 
To Mary and her gallant soldier. 
S. Henry, No. 782 
454 
., 
25. NANCY'S LOVE 
(Nancy's Love; Nancy's Love for the 
Handsome Serjeant ) 
Nancy's Love 
You pretty maidens give attention, 
Unto what I shall lay down, 
I'll tell you of a comely damsel, 
Who lately dwelt in Plymouth town. 
She fell in love with a handsome sergeant, 
A gay light horseman as you shall know, 
She says it is my inclination, 
Abroad with you I mean to go. 
He says "there is great danger," and if he should be slain 
"in the field of battle" she would be left "in a foreign 
country with no friends." He also tells her that she would 
be in danger of being slain by a cannon ball. She says 
that she is not afraid and will dress herself "in man's 
apparel, and boldly enter volunteer." She will fight "with 
sword in hand" and will always be at his command. Seeing 
"her melting tears so free," he agrees to let her go with 
him because her "love's so true." The ballad prays that 
"God protect all valiant soldiers" as Nancy and "her light 
horseman plough the main bound for Holland." Nancy is 
urged by her love, "don't be daunted, for constant to you 
I'll remain." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
2 5 2 4 2. 7 5 f, II 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts, 14 Grea 
Andrew -stree Seven Dials. (1797-1819) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book 
KVB, I, 7 r 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts, 
Andrew-stree Seven Dials. 
Roth and Jolly, no. 31 
455 
Division, 
14 Grea 
(1797-1819) 
NANCY'S LOVE 
Nancy's Love. 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts, 14 Great (St.) Andrew-street 
Seven Dials. 
You pretty maidens give attention, 
Unto what I shall lay down, 
I'll tell you of a comely damsel, 
Who lately dwelt in Plymouth town, 
She fell in love with a handsome sergeant. 
A gay light horseman as you shall know, 
She says it is my inclination, 
Abroad with you I mean to go, 
He says my dear there is great danger, 
Before we can cross the raging sea 
If I should be slain in the field of battle, 
To you great grief it will be 
You will be left in a foreign country. 
No friends perhaps you find at all. 
Besides my dear there is great danger, 
You may be slain by a cannon ball, 
She said my dear pray let me go with you, 
No foreign dangers will I fear, 
I'll dress myself in man's apparel, 
And boldly enter volunteer. 
I am a girl that fears no danger 
I'll boldly fight with sword in hand, 
And when engag'd in the field of battle, 
I'll always be at your command. 
The seargeant then he gaz'd upon her. 
To see her melting tears so free 
My Nancy dear you shall go with me. 
Because your love's so true to me, 
You shall then go plough the ocean, 
While I have life I'll be true to thee, 
Pray God protect all valiant soldiers. 
That fight for king and country, 
So Nancy like a valiant soldier, 
With her light horseman to plough the main 
She has left her friends and all relations. 
456 
Behind her now for to complain 
The regiment is bound for Holland, 
To steer their course across the main, 
He said sweet Nancy don't be daunted, 
For constant to you I'll remain. 
Harvard, 25242.75F, Vol. II, BS 136 
457 
NANCY'S LOVE 
Nancy's Love for The Handsome Serjeant. 
You pretty maidens give attention, 
And listen to what I now lay down, 
I'll tell you of a fair and comely damsel, 
Who lately dwelt in Plymouth sound, 
She fell in love with a handsome serjeant, 
A gay light-horseman, as you must know 
She says my dear its my inclination, 
And abroad with you I mean to go. 
He said, my dear, there are great dangers, 
Before we cross the raging main, 
If I be slain in the field of battle, 
To you my dear it will be much pain, 
You will be left in a foreign country, 
Perhaps no friend will find at all, 
Besides my dear there are great dangers, 
You may be slain by a cannon ball. 
She says, my dear, let me go with you, 
No foreign dangers will I fear, 
I'll dress myself in man's apparel, 
And boldly enter volunteer, 
I am a girl that fears no danger, 
I'd boldly fight with sword in hand, 
And when engaged in the field of battle, 
I'll always be at your command. 
Then this young sergeant gazed on her, 
To see these melting tears so free, 
He said my dear you shall go with me, 
Because your love's so true to me; 
You shall go with me across the ocean, 
While I have life I'll be true to thee; 
May God protect this female soldier, 
That fights for King and Country. 
458 
Now Nancy's gone like a valiant soldier, 
With her light horseman across the main, 
She's left her friends and all relations, 
Behind her to lament and complain; 
The regiment was bound to Flanders, 
And arrived safe the other day, 
Pray God protect this famous Couple, 
That fights for King and Country. 
Roth and Jolley, No. 31. 
459 
B. Statements of Intention 
(No. 26-32) 
460 
26. THE WANDERING VIRGIN 
The Wandering Virgin: Or, 
The Coy Lass Well Fitted 
To the Tune of, Cloris Awake, or The Loving Chambermaid 
You Virgins so pretty 
hear what I relate, 
My case you may pitty, 
take heed of my fate: 
How I was forsaken 
you'l hear it throughout 
But I'le travel the world o're 
to find my Love out. 
Her "overmuch coyness" caused her to lose her beloved. She 
will, however, make her "green gown into breeches" and her 
"long yellow locks much shorter" so she may wander to find 
him. She'll also get a "switch" and "swoard by [her] side, 
a Horse, Boots and Spurs" so she may wander and find him. 
She sings his praises and trembles when she thinks that she 
may not find him. She will travel "desarts, groves, fields 
and £arrests" until she does. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.68/pEB-B65H, II 29or 
Printed for P. Brooksby 
in West Smithfield. 
Euing Ballads, 621 
at the Golden Ball 
(1672-96) 
Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball 
in West Smithfield. (1672-96) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Crawford, 1436 and 1437 
Wing, W702 
461 
Simpson, 4 
Lamson,"You virgins" 
THE WANDERING VIRGIN: OR, THE COY LASS WELL FITTED 
The Wandering Virgin: or, The Coy Lass Well Fitted. 
Virgins whose coyness & disdain does prove 
The fatal ruine of cemented Love, 
Learn, and beware, lest you like me cry out 
I'le find my Love, or search the world about 
To the Tune of, Cloris Awake, or The Loving Chambermaid. 
You Virgins so pretty 
hear what I relate, 
My case you may pitty, 
take heed of my fate: 
How I was forsaken 
you'l hear it throughout, 
But I'le travel the world o're 
to find my Love out. 
Since I was the cause 
that he first did disdain, 
My overmuch coyness 
doth make him refrain: 
But now I must blush 
that it so comes about, 
I would give all the world 
I could find my Love out. 
Then straight my green gown 
into breeches i'le make, 
Any my long yellow Locks 
much shorter i'le take: 
I'le wander, i'le wander, 
i'le wander about, 
And i'le search all the world 
for to find my Love out. 
I'le get me a switch 
and a word by my side, 
A Horse, Boots and Spurs, 
and i'le get up and ride: 
I'le wander, i'le wander, 
i'le wander about, 
Ile search all the world 
for to find my Love out. 
462 
My Love was a seemly 
and proper young youth, 
Though he did dissemble 
I took all for truth, 
So crafty in courtship 
I never did doubt 
But ide give all the world 
I could search my Love out. 
His forehead was smooth 
and his locks they were curld 
And him I ador'd above 
all in the world: 
His tongue went so smoothly 
in Courtship profound 
That I must have my Love 
though I search the world round. 
His Musical voice 
it did make me admire 
His Courtship and carriage 
did set me on fire: 
I lov'd him so dearly 
which makes me cry out 
I'l find him, or wander 
the world all about. 
What fancy hath took him 
I much do admire 
That he should reject the Love 
he did require: 
And since he is gone 
I will wander about 
And ile search all the world 
but ile find my Love out. 
My breath it grows short 
and my face pale and wan 
Which makes me admire 
the power of the man: 
My heart it doth tremble, 
which makes me to doubt 
I shall want of my wits 
if I find him not out. 
463 
Since Love I adore thee, 
why shouldst thou disdain 
The suit of thy Lover, 
that's subject to pain? 
Be kinder unto me, 
and ease all my doubt, 
For I'le search all the World, 
but I'le find my Love out. 
I'le travell the Desarts, 
where fancy me leades, 
Through Groves, Fields, & Forrests 
through Fountains, & Medes, 
To find out my Dearest 
i'le gallop about, 
And I'le range the wide world, 
for to find my Love out. 
I'le search over England 
to see if't contain; 
If not, i'le turn Sailor, 
and search on the M.ain, 
The Ocean so boundless, 
i'le travell about, 
I'le range the wide world, 
but i'le find my Love out. 
My Maidenhead-Jewell 
it still is my own; 
But if he had ask'd me, 
be sure it had gone: 
Then M.aids have a care, 
lest like me you cry out, 
I'le find him, or wander 
the world all about. 
Printed for P. Brooksby at Golden Ball in West Smithfield. 
Euing Ballads, No. 373 (p. 621) 
464 
27. A LOVER'S LAMENTATION FOR THE GIRL 
- ------HE LEFT BEHIND HIM; AND HER ANSWER 
The Answer 
You maidens all come pity me, 
And be no more disdaining, 
My love unto the war is gone, 
And left me here complaining 
She says that she will go "into some distant land" to find 
him, or "into some silent shade" to mourn. She blames the 
"cruel wicked war" for taking him away and vows that "in 
man's array [she'll] sail away" to find him. If he is 
slain she will "succeed him to fight with gun and sword in 
hand." If she finds him alive, she will rejoice. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
Uncat. BSS, Ill 
Uncat. BSS, III 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
PR974C69, Coll. of 15 Ballad Chapbooks, 1790-1800 
II. CATALOGUES 
Ford, Broadsides, 429, no. 3237-3239 
Ford, "Isaiah Thomas Collection," 79, no. 155-156 
465 
LOVER'S LAMENTATION FOR THE GIRL 
HE LEFT BEHIND HIM; AND HER ANSWER 
(The Answer) 
Ye maidens all, come pity me, 
and be no more disdaining, 
My love unto the war is gone, 
And left me here complaining; 
For now he's sai'd out of the land, 
and I am still repining, 
Unto some distant land I'll go, 
for to see whether I can find him. 
Or in some silent shade I'll go, 
to shelter all my mourning, 
The tears ran trickling down her cheeks 
with grief, both night and morning. 
The tales of love he told to me, 
that he ne'er would deceive me, 
It was this cruel wicked war, 
which caus'd him for to leave me. 
His cheeks were like the roses red, 
his voice was sweet and clear; 
There is no lad in all the world 
to mine now can compare; 
If I once more his face could see, 
how happy should I be! 
The sight of his dear smiling looks 
would asswage my misery. 
So in man's array I'll sail away, 
for to find out my dear, 
And when I come upon the seas, 
no danger will I fear; 
For let the storms be ne'er so long, 
and cannon loudly rattle, 
I'll go to sea for my true love, 
unto the field of battle. 
466 
And if my true love should be slain, 
so boldly I'll proceed in, 
To fight with gun and sword in hand; 
while my love lays a bleeding; 
But if alive he should remain, 
and him whom I adore, 
I'll bless the day I sail'd away, 
to see my love once more. 
Then may kind heaven be my lot, 
and send these wars soon o'er, 
Those lads may see their homes again, 
and maids their love once more; 
Success unto my own true love, 
if ever I may find him, 
As true unto his dearest dear, 
as the girl he left behind him. 
4· 
Yale, BS BY6 17--
467 
THE LOVER'S LAMENTATION FOR THE GIRL 
-- -------HE LEFT BEHIND HIM; AND HER ANSWER 
The Answer. 
You maidens all come pity me, 
and be no more disdaining, 
My love unto the war is gone, 
and left me here complaining; 
For now he's march'd out of the land, 
and I am still repining, 
Into some distant land I'll go 
to see whether I can find him; 
Or in some silent shade I'll go, 
to shelter all my mourning, 
The tears ran trickling from her eyes, 
with grief both night and morning; 
These tales he often told to me, 
he never would deceive me. 
It was this cruel, cruel war, 
that caused im to leave me. 
Although the storm be e'er so strong, 
and cannons loudly rattle, 
I'll go to sea for my true love, 
into the field of battle; 
And if my true love should be slain, 
so boldly I'll succeed him, 
To fight with gun and sword in hand 
whilst my love lies a bleeding. 
But if alive I should remain, 
and him whom I adore, 
I'll bless the day I sail'd away, 
to my love once more. 
The drums and trumpets sweetly found, 
and cannons loudly roar, 
To fight against the Gallic Cocks, 
until the wars are o er. 
So may kind heavens be my friend, 
& send the wars soon at an end, 
That lads may see their homes again: 
& maids their loves once more: 
Success unto my own true love, 
And ever may I find him. 
UCLA/SC, Coll. of 15 Ballad Chapbooks (c. 1790-1800) 
468 
28. THE MAIDS LAMENTATION IN BEDLAM 
The Maids Lamentation in Bedlam 
As by Bedlam I was walking, 
A melodious voice I chanc'd to hear, 
A lovely Maiden was sweetly talking, 
I have lost my lovely and only Dear. 
She laments because "Jonny" is gone and "his love lies 
dying." She asks "brave Seamen" to explain why he has 
entered "the wide ocean," and pictures him "by the Spanish 
balls dying." She says that she will dress herself "in 
man's apparel" and "curle up [her] locks of milk white 
hair," then "borrow some kind eagle's wings" to fly to her 
dear. The ballad concludes with her inquiring why she is 
locked "within these dismal walls." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Logan, 187 
Pitts, Printer, Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6 
Gt. St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials. (1819-44) 
B. Folksong Versions 
JFSS, IV, 146 
JFSS,VI, 37 
JFSS, VIL, 93 
JFSS, IX, 292 
JFSS, XI, 111 
JFSS, XIII, 290 
c. Manuscript Versions 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division, 
"Forton Prison Papers," II (published in Carey, 
132) 
469 
THE MAIDS LAMENTATION IN BEDLAM 
The Maids Lamentation In Bedlam 
As by Bedlam I was walking, 
A melodious voice I chanc'd to hear, 
A lovely Maiden was sweetly talking 
I have lost my love and only Dear. 
(2) 
Jonny is the Man that I admire, 
He is the man that I adore, 
But now he is gone, his love lies dying, 
I fear I shall never see him more. 
(3) 
Why did my dear jewel cross the ocean 
Tost up and down the raging main, 
Why did he enter the wide ocean, 
All you brave seamen, I pray explain. 
(4th) 
See bloody flags and streamers flying, 
Why dont you hear my silent call; 
Now by the Spanish balls he lies dying, 
0 dont you hear him expiring calls! 
(5th) 
I'll dress myself in man's apparel, 
Curle up my locks of milk white hair 
And some kind eagle's wings will borrow, 
To fly unto my dearest dear. 
(6th) 
Why am I thus with irons bonded 
Why am I from my bed of down? 
Why is my precious eyes enclosed, 
Within these dismal walls of stone. 
Finis. 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division - Forton Prison Papers, 
Vol. II 
470 
29. A CONSCIONABLE COUPLE 
A Conscionable Couple: Or, 
The valiant resolution of a young man and a maid, 
That have left all their kindred, as true folks have 
said; 
'Twas for their religion and good conscience sake, 
That they forsook England, a voyage to take. 
These two loving Protestants kindly together 
Are gone to seek fortunes, there's no man knows 
whither. 
To a curious new tune; or, The Faithful Friend. 
This doth make the world to wonder, 
That thou and I must part asunder; 
Parting from thee sore doth grieve me, 
0 so loath I am to leave thee! 
Leave thee, leave thee, I'll not leave thee, 
0 so loath I am to leave thee! 
He declares his love but says that he cannot let her 
"friends or father know it." He describes her attractive-
ness then curses "cruel fortune" which forces him to leave. 
He offers her a "gold ring" to "keep for a token." He says 
that he is leaving because of "England's strange division, 
and the altering of religion." She answers that she will 
be "so heavy-hearted" and asks him to "say but the word, 
and [she'll] go with [him]." She says that she will go 
with him "through fire and water" and in spite of her 
parents. If he goes to sea, she will go with him. If he 
"wilt be a souldier" she says, "Place a musket on my 
shoulder; put me in some man's apparel." She reiterates 
her resolution, bids farewell, and says that they will 
"leave and march together." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.67PF, 20 
London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. 
Wright, and J. Clark. (1674-79) 
Roxburghe Ballads, III, 561 
London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. 
Wright, and J. Clark. (1674-79) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Crawford, 1164 
Rollins, Analytical Index, 40, no. 378 
Wing, C5900 
471 
A CONSCIONABLE COUPLE 
A Conscionable Couple: 
Or, 
The valiant Resolution of a Young-man and a Maid, 
That have left all their Kindred, as true folks have said: 
Twas for their Religion and good Conscience sake, 
That they forsook England, a Voyage to take. 
These two loving Protestants kindly together, 
Are gone to seek Fortunes, there's no man knows whither. 
To a curious new Tune, Or, The Faithful Friend. 
This doth make the world to wonder, 
That thou and I must part asunder, 
Parting from thee sure doth grieve me, 
0 so loath I am to leave thee: 
Leave thee, leave thee, I'll not leave thee, 
0 so loath I am to leave thee. 
I love thee dear, yet dare not show it, 
Let not thy friends nor father know it, 
The joyes and comforts late abounded; 
Now is my heart with sorrows wounded. 
Parting from thee sore doth grieve me, 
0 how loath I am to leave thee. 
Thy amorous looks makes me admire, 
And set my senses all on fire: 
I would forego all earthly treasure, 
To spend my time with thee in pleasure: 
But we must part, which sore doth grieve me, 
0 how loath am I to leave thee. 
Thou in mine eye aret such a creature, 
The like was never fram'd by Nature: 
Thy sweet behaviour and thy carriage, 
Loves Queen by no means can disparage, 
But we must part, which sore doth grieve me 
0 how loath am I to leave thee! 
Cruel Fortune, I must curse thee, 
'Cause they false designs doth force me; 
Thus to go and leave my True-love, 
Farewel, ten thousands times adieu Love 
We needs must part, that sore doth grieve me, 
0 how loath I am to leave thee! 
Mark these words which here are spoken, 
This gold ring keep for a token; 
And when I am furthest from thee, 
Prethee sweet-heart think upon me, 
Part we must, which sore doth grieve me, 
0 how loath I am to leave thee! 
472 
'Tis long of England's strange Division 
And the altering of Religion: 
That I am expos'd to danger, 
And to travel like a stranger; 
This of all the rest doth grieve me, 
That I am inforc'd to leave thee. 
My dear Love, when we are parted 
I shall be so heavy-hearted, 
That no joyes I shall discover, 
Therefore as thou art my Lover, 
Prethee sweet-heart take me to thee, 
Say but the word, and I'll go with thee. 
Let Father frown, and Mother chide me, 
I'le go with thee what-ever betide me; 
If it were through fire and water, 
Lead the way Ile follow after. 
I prethee Sweet-heart take me to thee, 
Say but the word, and I'll go with thee. 
If to the seas thou make they venter 
I in the ship will also enter 
Or if thou on the shore wilt tarry, 
I the self-same mind do carry, 
So thou vouchsafe to take me to thee, 
Speak but the wor,d and I'll go with thee. 
Of ir thou wilt be a Souldier, 
Place a Musket on my Shoulder: 
Put me on some mans apparel, 
I will stately fight thy quarrel; 
I fear not what man can do to me, 
Speak but the word and I'll go with thee. 
Neither Sword nor Persectuion 
Shall break off my Resolution: 
Though all the world forsake thee 
For my Comrade I will take thee; 
If thou wilt but take me to thee, 
Speak the word, and I'll go with thee. 
Farewel Father, farewel Mother, 
Farewel Sister, farewel Brother, 
Farewel Friends, and farewel kindred, 
I from my Love will not be hindred; 
Now prethee Sweet-heart take me to thee 
Hap well or woe, I'll now go with thee. 
473 
Since thou stand'st firm to th' old religion 
My self am of the same condition; 
England wee'l leave and march together, 
No earthly creature shall know whither; 
Conscience moves me to come to thee, 
Thou hast spoke Love, I'll go with thee. 
Finis. 
London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and 
J. Clark 
Harvard, 25242.67PF, BS. 20 
474 
30. THE SCOTCH VIRAGO 
(The Scotch Virago; The Maiden Warrier) 
The Maiden-Warrier: Or, 
The Damsels Resolution to Fight in Field, 
By the Side of Jockey Her Entire Love. 
Valiant Jockey's march'd away, 
To fight the Foe, with Great Mackay; 
Leaving me poor Soul, alas! forlorn, 
To curse the hour I e'er was born: 
But Ise swear Ise follow too, 
And dearest Jockey's Fate pursue, 
Near him be to Guard his precious Life, 
Never Scot had sike a Loyal Wife; 
Swor'd Ise wear, Ise cut my hair, 
Tann my Cheeks that once were thought so fair, 
In Soldiers Weed to him Ise speed, 
Never sike a Trooper crost the Tweed. 
She says that she will "do some Glorious thing" for Scotland 
and "nought shall appear of female fear." She will defend 
"King William's Rights'; and the "Rebles" shall find that 
"Women-kind sometimes venture with a Warlike mind." She 
describes her armor and weapons. In some versions (not in 
the original by Thomas D'Urfey) Jockey answers, commending 
her courage. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
D'Urfey, New Poems, 183 (1690) 
D'Urfey, Pills, I, 228 (1719) 
Euing Ballads, 331 
Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden-Ball, in 
Pye-Corner. (1672-96) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 736 
Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden-Ball, in 
Pye-Corner. (1672-96) 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Museum, Vol. 150, p. 573 
Crawford, 1235 
Wing, D2747 
III. COMMENTS 
Thomas D'Urfey composed the first stanzas of this 
475 
song. Cyrus Day (The Songs£!. Thomas D'Urfey, 14) 
says: "Already in June, 1689, we find [D'Urfey] 
entertaining Queen Mary at Kensington with a song 
entitled 'The Scotch Virago,' a semi-political 
trifle on General Hugh Mackay's expedition into the 
Highlands against the Scottish Jacobites." 
476 
THE SCOTCH VIRAGO 
The Scotch Virago. 
A Song Sung to the Queen at Kensington. 
The Words made to a pretty New Scotch Tune. 
Valiant Jockey's march'd away, 
To fight the Foe with brave Mackay; 
Leaving me, poor Soul, forlorn, 
To Curse the Hour when I was Born; 
But, I've sworn Ise follow too; 
And dearest Jockey's Fate pursue; 
Near him be to Guard his precious Life, 
Never Scot had such a Loyal Wife: 
Sword Ise wear, 
Ise cut my Hair, 
Tann my Cheeks, that once were thought so fair; 
In Souldier's Weed, 
To him I'll speed, 
Never sike a trooper cross'd the Tweed. 
Trumpet sound to Victory, 
Ise kill (my self) the next Dundee; 
Love, and Fate, and Rage, do all agree, 
To do some glorious Deed by me: 
Great Bellona, take my part, 
Fame and Glory, charm my Heart; 
That for Love, and bonny Scotland's good, 
Some brave Action may deserve my Blood: 
Nought shall appear, 
Of Female fear, 
Fighting by his Side, I love so dear; 
All the North shall own, 
There ne'er was known 
Such a sprightly Lass, this thousand Years. 
D 'Urfey, Wit and Mirth &c., Vol. II, p. 228. 
477 
THE SCOTCH VIRAGO 
The Maiden Warrier; Or, 
The Damsel's Resolution to Fight in Field by the 
side of Jockey her entire Love. 
To an Excellent New Tune. (Licensed according to Order. 
Valiant Jockey's march'd away, 
To fight the foe with great Mackay; 
Leaving me, poor soul, alas! forlorn, 
To curse the hour I e'er was born: 
But I swear I'se follow too, 
And dearest Jockey's fate pursue, 
Near him be to guard his precious life, 
Never Scot had sike a loyal wife: 
Sword I'se wear, I'se cut my hair, 
Tann my cheeks that once were thought so fair, 
In Soldier's weed to him I speed, 
Never sike a Trooper crost the Tweed. 
Trumpet sound [to] victory, 
I'se kill myself the next Dundee; 
Love and rage, and fate do's all agree, 
To do some glorious thing by me: 
Great Bellona take my part, 
Fame and glory steel my heart, 
That for our bonny Scotland's geud, 
Some brave action may deserve my bloud: 
Nought shall appear of female fear, 
Fighting by his side I love so dear; 
All the world shall own, that ne'er was known 
Sike a pretty Lass! this thousand year. 
Now in noble armour bright, 
Ise with courageous heart will fight; 
Fear of death, shall ne'er my courage stain, 
King William's rights Ise will maintain: 
For the glory of our sex, 
Ise aw the rebles will perplex, 
And let them find that women-kind, 
Sometimes venture with a warlike mind: 
Age of old, our fame has told, 
Therefore Ise will never be controul'd; 
By friend or foe, Ise freely goe, 
Never was a trooper armed so. 
478 
I'se a helmet will put on, 
Like a right valiant warlike man, 
Plates of steel shall guard my back and breast, 
Carbines and pistols, I'se protest, 
In my hand Ise cock and prime, 
Now and for ever is the time: 
While I thus am mounted cap-a-pee, 
Warlike thunder shall my musick be, 
Let smoke arise and dim the skies, 
While we do pursue the warlike prize; 
Lawrels shall crown with true renown, 
The victory in city, court and town. 
Mars, the God of war, shall lead 
The army, that will fight and bleed, 
E'er our foe shall hope to win the day, 
Therefore let us march with speed away; 
Hark! I'se hear the trumpets sound, 
We shall be aw with conquest crown'd; 
Let the High-land rebels brag and boast, 
Death in triumph shall ride through their hoast, 
Glory and fame shall then proclaim 
Th' actions of a valiant warlike dame; 
If foes draw nigh, I scorn to flye, 
With my dearest love Ise live and dye. 
Jockey's Answer. 
Hast thou such a valiant heart, 
To fight and take the nation's part, 
By the side of Jockey thy delight, 
For to put the enemy to flight? 
I thy courage must commend, 
Yet like a true entire friend, 
I would have thee stay at home, said he, 
For the wars are most unfit for thee; 
Maggy you are, youthfull and fair, 
Therefore can [not] thy tender nature bear 
The shrieks and cries which fills the skies, 
As the enemy we do surprise. 
479 
Love, said he, the loud alarms 
In midst of night to Arms to Arms! 
Will it not affrighten thee, my dear, 
Should you such a sudden 'larum hear? 
And before the break of day, 
Many a valiant Souldier may, 
Lie in streams of reeking purple gore; 
Therefore Moggy, whom I do adore, 
Should'st thou be slain, and I remain, 
It would fill my heart with muckle pain. 
She did reply, Happy am I, 
If I in the Bed of Honour die. 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, p. 736. 
480 
31. THE VALIANT COMMANDER, 
WITH HIS RESOLUTE LADY 
The Valiant Commander, with His Resolute Lady. 
To a new Northern tune, called, I would 
give ten thousand pounds she were in 
Shrewsbury or, Ned Smith. 
Gallants come list a while 
a story I shall tell, 
Of a Commander bold, 
and what to him befell, 
He was besieged round, 
in Chester Citie fair. 
His Lady being with him, 
which fil'd his heart with care, 
This unto her he said 
dearest come thou to me, 
I would give ten thousand pound 
thou wert in Shrewsbury. 
He declares his love to her wishing she were in the loyal 
Shrewsbury, and tells her of the danger they are in be-
cause he loves the King and is a Cavalier. He prepares 
to fight,and she responds, "Stoutly I'le take thy part," 
disguises herself "like a man," takes musquet and sword, 
and fights with him in "the Northern parts." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.67PF, II, 193 
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J.W., J. 
Clarke, W. Thackeray and T. Fassinger. 
(1678-80) 
25242.13/fEC75.Al00.B775C v. 1/3, V.I, 10 
25242.68/pEB-B65H, II, 286r 
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J.W., J. 
Clarke, W. Thackeray and T. Fassinger. 
(1678-80) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VI, 281 
Euing Ballads, 367 
Ashton, Century of Ballads, 242 
II. CATALOGUES 
Crawford, 414 
Wing, V36 
Lamson,"Gallants" 
481 
III. COMMENTS 
Ebsworth (Roxburghe Ballads, VI, 283) notes: 
"Date of original, while Chester was held by the 
Royal troops, and before Shrewsbury was given up 
early in February, 1644/5." 
482 
THE VALIANT COMMANDER, WITH HIS RESOLUTE LADY 
The Valiant Commander, with His Resolute Lady 
Shewing A brief Discourse of a Commander bold, 
Who had a wife was worth her weight in gold; 
She bravely fought to save her Husbands life, 
Let all men judge, was not this a Valiant Wife? 
To a New Northern Tune, called, I would give ten thousand pounds, &c. 
or Ned Smith 
Gallants come list a while, 
a story I shall tell, 
Of a Commander bold, 
and what to him befell, 
He was besieged round, 
in Chester City fair, 
His Lady being with him 
which fill'd his heart with care 
This unto her he said, 
dearest come thou to me, 
I would give ten thousand pound 
thou wert in Shrewsbury. 
0 my own hearts delight, 
my joy and Turtle-Dove, 
More dear then mine own life, 
heavens know I do thee love, 
Those beautious looks of thine, 
my sences set on fire, 
Yea though I love thee well 
thy absence I desire, 
This unto her he said, &c. 
Thy fair red coloured cheeks, 
and thy bright shining eye, 
Makes me always inflam'd, 
with thy sweet company. 
Thy breath smells far more sweet 
then doth sweet frankincence, 
And yet for all those fumes, 
I wish thee farther hence, 
This makes me sing and say &c. 
Look how my Uncle stands 
I dare not him come near 
Because I love the King 
and am a Cavalier, 
483 
Yet for my Lady and her Son 
my heart doth bleed for thee, 
I would give tenthousand pound 
they were in Shrewsbury, 
They were in Shrewsbury, 
some comfort for to find, 
Amongst the Cavaliers, 
to ease a troubled mind. 
My heart bleeds in my breast, 
for my fair Ladies sake, 
And how to save her life 
I know no course to take. 
Hark how the drums do beat, 
and warlike Trumpets sound, 
See how the Musquetteers 
Have now begirt us round. 
The Souldiers they cry out, 
kill, kill, no quarter give, 
What hopes then can I have, 
that my true love should live. 
When he thus spoken had, 
his Lady he forsook, 
And with a manly heart, 
his sword in hand he took 
Farewel my Lady dear, 
now will I bandie blows, 
And fight my self to death 
among'st my desperate foes, 
Dearest farewel from me, 
farewel farewel from me, 
I would give ten thousand pound 
thou wert in Shrewbury. 
His Lady seeing then 
the danger they were in, 
She like a Souldier bold, 
nobly then did begin, 
My trusty Love (quoth she) 
since thou so valiant art, 
What e're becomes of me, 
stoutly I'le take thy part. 
Dearest cast care away, 
let kisses comfort thee, 
Thou and I'le ne'r depart, 
I 1le live and dye with thee. 
Put me on Mans attire, 
give me a Souldiers Coat, 
I'le make King Charles his foes, 
quickly to change their note, 
484 
Cock your match, prime your pan 
let piercing bullets flye, 
I do not care a pin 
whether I live or dye. 
Dearest cast care away, 
let kisses comfort thee, 
Thou and I'le ne'r depart, 
I'le live and dye with thee. 
She took a Musquet then, 
and a sword by her side 
In disguise like a man 
her valour so she try'd, 
And with her true-love she, 
march'd forth couragiously, 
And made away with speed, 
quite through the Enemy. 
Dearest cast care away, 
let kisses comfort thee, 
Thou and I'le ne'r depart, 
I'le Live and Dye with thee. 
These Souldiers brave and bold, 
behav'd themselves so well, 
That all the Northern parts, 
of their desarts can tell. 
Thus have you heard the News, 
of a most valiant wight, 
And of his Lady brave, 
how stoutly she did fight, 
Dearest cast care away, 
let kisses comfort thee, 
Thou and I'le ne'r depart, 
I'le live and dye with thee. 
FINIS. 
Printed for F, Coles, T. Vere, J. W J. Clarke, W. Thackeray 
and T. Passinger. 
Harvard, 25242.67F, Vol. II, BS 193 
485 
32. I WISH THE WARS WERE ALL OVER 
(I Wish the Wars Were All Over; 
Down in the Meadow) 
I Wish the Wars Were All Over. 
Down in the meadows the violet so blue, 
There I saw pretty Polly a milking her cow 
The song that she sung made all the groves ring, 
My Billy is gone and left me to serve the king 
And I wish that the wars were all over. 
The narrator steps up to her asking, "What makes you cry?" 
She replies that Billy (or Jemmy) is gone, and "the French 
will kill him." The narrator asks if she can "fancy" him. 
She replies that she will only be happy when she sees her 
love. She says that she will no longer stay with her 
parents but will seek Billy after going to "some taylor" 
to "rig [herself] out in some young man's array." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.75F, II 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts, no. 14, Great 
St. Andrew Street, seven Dials. (1799-1819) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Baring-Gould and Sheppard, Garland, 18 
Joyce, Old Irish Folk Music and Song, 232 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Divison, 
"Forton Prison Papers," I I (published in Carey, 
74) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 77 
Wilgus-Long 
486 
I WISH THE WARS WERE ALL OVER 
A New Sea Song. I Wish the Wars Were All Over 
Down in the meadow, the violets so blue, 
There I saw pretty Polly milking her cow, 
The song that she sung made all the grove ring, 
My Billy is gone and left me to serve the King 
And I wish the wars were all over 
I stept up to her and made her this reply 
And said my dear Polly what makes you to cry 
By Billy is gone from me whom I love so dear, 
The Americans will kill him so great is my fear 
And I wish, &c. 
I said my dear Polly can you fancy me, 
I'll make you as happy as happy can be, 
No, no, Sir said she that never can be 
I ne'er shall be happy till my Billy I see. 
And I wish, &c. 
I still amazed to hear what she said, 
The small birds a singing on every tree, 
The notes that she sung where nightingales notes--
How the lark and the Linnets warble their throats. 
And I wish &c. 
I now for my parents no longer can stay, 
To seek for my Billy I'll hast away, 
To see if my Billy will make me his wife--
Free for his sake I'll venture my life--
And I wish &c. 
I now to some dailor I'll hast and away, 
To rig myself out in some young mans array 
Like a bold fellow so neat and so trim, 
So free for his sake I'll go serve the King 
And I wish the wars were all over 
Finis 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division - American Prisoners, 
Forton Prison, England, 1777-79: 97. Vol. II 
487 
II. DISCOURSE-NARRATIVE BALLADS 
(No. 33-48) 
488 
33. THE UNDAUNTED FEMALE 
The Undaunted Female 
Come all you true lovers and story '11 unfold 
Of an undaunted female and a gallant soldier bold, 
Young Mary was a damsel fair so vituous and so kind 
And young William was a gallant man ever crossed 
the line. 
After courting her, William enlists to go to "the late wars 
in India" and tells her he is going. She weeps, and he 
gives her a watch and a ring as "a pledge." She tears her 
hair, then says she will go with him. He objects saying 
that she is too frail, but she persists saying she will 
"face the proud wild Indians, and be an enchanted maid." 
"As a soldier" she goes with him and fights "till the 
Indians did give o'er." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
Misc. BSS, folder 
Providence Public Library/Sp. Coll~, 
Irish BS Ballads 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, II, 34 
National Library of Ireland: McCall, II, 133 
Trinity College Dublin, 
21.bb.51, p.206 . 
21.bb.52, p.277 
21.bb.52, p.483 
Gall. R.15.35 
Healy, Old Irish Street Ballads, II, 286 
B. Folksong Versions 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
1282, p.497 (Cavan, c. 1905) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
489 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
THE UNDAUNTED FEMALE 
The Undaunted Female 
Come all you true lovers and a story I'll unfold, 
Of an undaunted female and a gallant soldier bold, 
Young Mary was a damsel fair so vituous and so kind, 
And young William was as gallant a man ever crossed the Line. 
Long time these couple courted, but her father did not know, 
Till the late wars in India nearly proved her overthrow, 
He enlisted as a soldier brave, but yet she did not know, 
That her William he was going to face the daring foe. 
Young William then one morning he unto her did say, 
I'm going with General Napier to cross the raging sea, 
It's for old England's glory and the girl I do adore, 
I'll face the proud wild Indians on the Sutlej of Lahore. 
Pretty Mary fell a weeping, and the tears fell from her eyes, 
He clasped her to his bosom to hide her sobs and cries, 
A watch and ring he gave to her, saying, adieu my only store, 
So take them as a pledge my love until I return on shore, 
Oh then she tore her lovely hair, and fell in deep despair, 
Saying, William, dearest William, pray do not leave me here, 
For I will go along with you where the Indias cannons roar, 
And I'll leave my father's mansion for the lad that I adore . 
Said William, Dearest Mary, why you can not lend a hand, 
With your tender feet, my dear, on the battlefield can't stand, 
Besides body tender body the savage sword might scar, 
So don't face the proud wild Indians on the Sutlej or Lahore. 
She said, I'm not afraid, there's none shall be persuade, 
I'll face the proud wild Indians, and be an enchanted maid, 
I'll leave my father's dwelling, and I'll cross the seas right o'er, 
And I'll fight beside my true love at the Satlej or Lahore. 
As a soldier then she walked with her lover it is said, 
By her William she did stand and fight in the midst of the Indian 
war, 
And she faced the proud wild Indians on the Sutlej and Lahore. 
At the storming of their garrison we put them in surprise; 
While our cannons played upon them our bullets made them fly, 
They fought them on the Sutlej till the Indians did give o'er, 
Did Mary and her William in the late Indian war • 
University of Kentucky, Vol. II, 34 
490 
THE UNDAUNTED FEMALE 
An Undaunted Female 
Come all you true lovers a story I'll unfold, 
Of an undaunted female and a gallant soldier bold, 
Young Mary was a damsel so virtuous and kind 
And young William was as gallant a man as ever crossed the line. 
Long time those couple courted and her father did not know 
Till the late war in India nearly proved her overthrow 
He enlisted as a soldier but yet she did not know 
That her William he was going to face the daring foe. 
Young William then one morning he unto her did say 
I'm going with General Major to cross the raging seas, 
Its for old England's glory and girl I do adore, 
I'll face the pround wild Indians on the Surfe of Lahore. 
Pretty Mary fell a weeping and the tears fell from her eyes 
He clasped her to his bosom to hide her sobs and cries 
A ring and watch he gave her saying Adieu my only store, 
So take those as a pledge my love till I return on shore. 
Oh then she tore her lovely hair and fell in deep despair 
Saying William dearest William pray do not leave me here 
For I'll go along with you where the wild cannons roar 
And I'll leave my Father's Mansion for the lad I do adore. 
Said William, Dearest Mary, why you cannot lend a hand, 
With your tender feet my dear on the battle field can't stand 
Besides your tender body the savage sword might scar 
So don't face the proud Indians on the Sudef of Lahore. 
Said she I'm not afraid their's none shall me pursade 
I'll face the proud wild Indians and be an enchanted maid 
I'll leave my father's mansion and I'll cross the sea right oe'r 
And I'll fight beside my true love on the Sudef of Lahore. 
As a soldier then she walked with her lover it is said, 
By her William she did stand and fight in the midst of the India 
war, 
And she faced the proud wild Indians on the Sudef of Lahore. 
491 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
-
-
At the storming of the Garrison we put them in surprise 
While our cannons played upon them our bayonets made them fly 
They fought them on the Surdef till the Indians did give oe'r 
And Mary and her William in the late Indian Shoor. 
(finished) 
IFC, vol. 1282 p. 497 (MS. from Cavan, c. 1905) 
492 
.. 
34. THE DUKE OF ARGYLE (N-1) 
The Duke of Argyle 
It's farewell, now, Miss Gordie, I'm now going to leave 
you, 
For to cross the wide ocean, I don't mean to deceive you. 
I'll cross the wide ocean, where the loud cannon rattle, 
I will venture my life on the broad field of battle. 
She says she will "dress in men's attire" and go with him. 
They sail "on the fourteenth" and land "on the banks of 
Nargyle." "The lady's true love" is slain in battle; she 
kisses him and picks up his flag and fights "for her king, 
while her true love lies bleeding." The "Duke of Argyle" 
courts. her, but she cries, "No man I' 11 enjoy since I lost 
Alexander." 
I. SOURCES 
B. Folksong Versions 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive, 
Leach Coll., #7A (Trepassey, Nfld.) 
66-23;C233 (Trepassey, Nfld., 1966) 
Greenleaf, 88 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 202 
493 
THE DUKE OF ARGYLE (N-1) 
The Duke of Argyle. 
It's farewell, now, Miss Gordi, I'm now going to leave you, 
For to cross the wide ocean, I don't mean to deceive you. 
I'll cross the wide ocean, where the loud cannon rattle, 
I will venture my life on the broad field of battle. 
I'll dress in men's attire, Alexander, I'll go with you; 
I'll dress in men's attire, Alexander, I won't leave you. 
We will boldly fight on, in front line and centre; 
I'll be true to that call, Alexander, I'll venture. 
On the fourteenth we sailed, on the eighteenth we landed, 
On the banks of Nargyle, where our troops was commanded; 
Where the bullets did fly, and the loud cannon rattle, 
The lady's true love he was slain in that battle. 
As he fell on the ground, while his sword it lay bleeding, 
She kissed his pale face, while the tears down was streaming; 
She picked up his flag, his ensign to carry, 
O, she wove it up high in the midst of the valley. 
The blood it did flow like a stream from the fountain, 
And many's the brave man there was slain on that mountain. 
She's a rich lady gay, of high birth and breeding, 
0, she fought for her king, while her true love lies bleeding. 
The Duke of Argyle he came courting this lay, 
Where she's dressed in men's attire, and he's going to salute her; 
But still she cries, No! Though you are our commander, 
No man I'll enjoy since I lost Alexander. 
Greenleaf, Ballads and Sea Songs, p. 88. 
494 
35. YOUNG HENRY OF THE RAGING MAIN 
Young Henry of the Raging Main 
One summer's morn, as day was dawning, 
Down by the pleasant river's side, 
I saw a brisk and lovely maiden, 
And a youth called 'England's pride!' 
He was a tight and smart young sailor, 
Tears from his eyes did fall like rain, 
Saying, adieu! my lovely Emma, 
I'm going to plough the raging Main. 
She laments his leaving and asks him to "stay a little 
longer," then offers to "venture" with him saying, "Per-
haps great honour I may attain." He tries to dissuade 
her, but she insists and "in jacket blue and tarry trousers" 
goes with him. She does her duty "like a sailor," going 
aloft in a storm on the way to India. After two years they 
return and marry. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
J. Cockburn, Printer, West-Tower-street, 
Carlisle. 
25242.17, I, 69 
25242.17, VI, 232 
J. Cadman, Printer, 152, Gt. Ancoats Street, 
Manchester. (1850-55) 
25242.17, VII, 134 
Catnach, 2 and 3 Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials. 
(1836-38) 
25242.17, IX, 82 
Bebbington, Printer, 26 Goulden Street, 
Oldham-Rd., Manchester. (c.1855) 
Uncat. BSS, I 
London, Printed by W. Taylor, 16 Waterloo 
Road. near the Coburg Theatre, London. 
(1831-32) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, II, 51v 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
Printed by J. Catnach, 2 and 3, Monmouth-
Court, 7 Dials. (1836-38) 
495 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
11605 
Yale, 
Ib57+t2, Misc. Eng. BS Ballads 
Printed by J. Catnach, 2 and 3, Monmouth-
Court, 7 Dials. (1836-38) 
Ashton, Modern Street Ballads, 253 
III. COMMENTS 
The uncatalogued Harvard broadside version ("Printed 
by W. Taylor, 16 Waterloo Road") attributes the ballad 
to "J. Morgan." 
496 
YOUNG HENRY OF THE RAGING MAIN 
Young Henry of the Raging Main. 
Tune.--The Waggon Train. 
J. Cockburn, Printer, West-Tower-Street, Carlisle. 
One summer's morning, as day was dawning, 
Down by the pleasant river side, 
I saw a brisk and lovely maiden, 
And a youth call'd England's pride! 
He was a tight & smart young sailor, 
Tears from his eyes did fall like rain, 
Saying, adieu, my lovely Emma! 
I'm going to plough the raging Main. 
Cried Emma,--Henry will you leave me 
Behind my sorrows to complain, 
For your sweet features lovely Henry 
I may ne'er behold again! 
See, Emma, dear, our ship's weigh'd anchor, 
'Tis a folly, love, for to complain; 
Tho' you leave, I'll ne'er deceive, 
I'm bound to plough the Raging Main. 
Said Emma, Stay a little longer; 
Stay at home with your truelove, 
But if you enter, I will venture, 
I swear by all the powers above! 
I'll venture with my lovely Henry, 
Perhaps great honour I may attain; 
She cried I'll enter and boldly I'll venture 
With Henry--love don't be distracted, 
Perhaps you may be cast away, 
'Tis for that reason, cried young Emma, 
That behind I will not stay. 
I'll dress myself in man's apparel, 
So dearest Henry don't complain; 
In Jacket blue and tarry trousers, 
I will plough the Raging main. 
Then on board the brig Eliza, 
Henry and his Emma went; 
She did her duty like a sailor, 
And with her lover was content. 
Her pretty hands once soft as velvet, 
With pitch and tar appear'd in pain 
Tho her hands were soft, she went aloft, 
And boldly plough'd the Raging Main. 
497 
The Eliza brig was bound for India 
And ere she had three weeks set sail, 
From land or light, one stormy night, 
It blew a bitter and heavy gale. 
Undaunted up aloft went Ennna 
Midst thunder, light'ning, wind and rain 
With courage true, in a jacket blue, 
Did Emma plough the Raging Main. 
Twelve hours long the tempest lasted 
At length quite calm it did appear, 
And they proceeded on their boyage, 
Ennna and her true love dear. 
When just two years they had been sailing 
To England they return'd again, 
And no one did suspect young Ennna 
Ploughing on the watery Main. 
In three weeks after, gay young Henry, 
Emma made his lawful bride, 
Like turtle doves, they live and love, 
Each other by the river side, 
They happy dwell, and often tell 
Their tales of love and ne'er complain, 
See how young Ennna boldly ventur'd 
With young Henry o'er the Main. 
Harvard 54-784, Vol. I, BS 98. 
498 
36. JAMES AND FLORA 
(James and Flora; James and Flora, or 
the United Lovers) 
James and Flora 
Come all you true lovers attend for awhile, 
To a tale I am going to unfold, 
Young Flora was a damsel so virtuous and kind, 
And young James was a gallant sailor bold. 
Adieu, lovely Flora! one morning he did say, 
We are called I am forced for to go, 
Far from my native shore, when the loud cannons 
roar, 
And aloft when the stormy winds do blow. 
They exchange halves of a ring. Flora weeps and then de-
cides to go with him. "As a sailor" she ships with James, 
no one suspecting her disguise. For five years she serves, 
"respected by all the ship's crew." When they are dis-
charged, she reveals herself to the captain who is "suddenly 
overcome with surprise." He gives them "50 pounds in gold" 
and goes with them to the church. Now dwelling "in love and 
contentment," they reminisce "of the time they went aloft." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
W. and T. Fordyce, 
Newcastle. 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 
25242.17, XIII, 122 
Printers Dean Street 
(1837-41) 
48 Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
London:--H. Such, Printer, Union-st., Baro'. 
(1849-86) 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
J, Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth-Court, 
7 Dials. (1836-38) 
Trinity College Dublin, 
21.bb.51, p. 106 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
11605 (1849-86) 
London:--H. Such, Printer, Union-st., Bora'. 
499 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folksong, 
4463, A2, Bl-2 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive, 
Leach Coll. 2, #6A (Trepassey, Nfld.) 
66-23;C232 (Trepassey, Nfld.) 
Peacock, I, 190 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
500 
JAMES AND FLORA 
James and Flora 
Come all you true lovers attend for awhile, 
To a tale I am going to unfold, 
Young Flora was a damsel so virtuous and kind, 
And young James was a gallant sailor bold. 
Adieu, lovely Flora! one morning he did say, 
We are called, I am forced for to go, 
Far from my native shore, when the loud cannons roar, 
And aloft when the stormy winds do blow. 
Then Flora she wept, and tears fell from her eyes, 
When young James told her he must depart, 
He broke a ring in two, saying, here's one half for you, 
And the other half he pressed to his heart. 
She wept in despair, and tore her lovely hair, 
Saying, James, dearest James I will go, 
She cried in accents soft, I will boldly go aloft 
With my love when the stormy winds do blow. 
Said James, dearest Flora, you surely must be mad, 
For to venture your sweet life upon the deep, 
And for to go aloft, when on your pillow soft, 
Contented at home you might sleep. 
She said, I'm not afraid, and none shall me persuade, 
But determined I am for to go, 
Unto some foreign shore, where the loud cannons roar, 
And protect you when the stormy winds do blow. 
As a sailor she shipped with her lover so true, 
And no one suspected this fair maid! 
In battle she did run, and she stood by her gun, 
Like a Briton she never was afraid. 
By day and by night on occasion she did fight, 
With joy into battle she did go, 
By her gun she did stand, done her duty like a man, 
And went aloft when the stormy winds did blow. 
Five years on the ocean young Flora did sail, 
Respected by all the ship's crew, 
And never was it said that young Flora was a maid, 
In her jacket and trowsers so blue; 
But when they were at large, when with James she was discharged, 
They together to the captain did go, 
She said behold the maid that never was afraid, 
In battle, or when stormy winds did blow. 
501 
How the captain did stare when these words he did hear, 
He was suddenly overcome with surprise, 
As he gazed on her so bright, he spoke with delight, 
While the tears fell in torrents from his eyes. 
He says you lovers bold, here is fifty pounds in gold, 
With you both to church I will go, 
May you with joy be blest, while you on your pillows rest, 
And at home when the stormy winds do blow. 
These lovers are united so loyal and true, 
And in love and contentment do dwell, 
Young James and his Flora by happiness are blest, 
By their friends they are both respected well: 
Esteemed by all around both in country and town, 
And admired wherever they do go, 
They talk in accents soft, of the time they went aloft, 
And they listen when the stormy winds do blow. 
London: H. Such, Printer, Union-st., Boro'. 
UCLA/SC #605 
502 
37. THE MARINER'S MISFORTUNE 
The Mariner's Misfortune; 
Or, The Unfortunate Voyage of two Constant Lovers. Being an 
Account of a faithful Seaman, who going to take his Farewel 
of his Sweetheart, she resolved come Life, or come Death, 
to Sail with him; and putting her self into Mans Apparel, 
went the Voyage with him, but by distress of weather, coming 
home were cast away, the constant Seaman.having no other 
help, betook himself to swimming, and having got his Sweet-
heart upon his back, swam till he was almost tyred, but was 
at last taken up by an Algerine, who carryed them to Algiers 
where being brought before the Governour, she confessed her 
selfe to be a Female, which so astonished the Governour, 
that he in requital of her constancy, set them both free, 
who are happily Arrived in England again. 
Tune of, Souldiers Departure. 
A Seaman lov'd a Maiden pretty, 
and esteem'd her as his life, 
She was beauteous, fair and witty, 
whom he vow'd should be his wife: 
He was minded, and designed 
for to leave the brittish shore, 
And sail again unto the Main, 
as he had often done before. 
Despite his protests she resolves to sail with him and, 
"drest in man's attire," goes on board, behaving herself 
"so brave, that none could this her trick discern." A 
storm wrecks the ship, and the lovers escape, the sailor 
swimming "while his true love was on his back." They are 
rescued by Turks and taken to "Algier" where the "Governour" 
sets them free upon learning of her disguise. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Bagford Ballads, I, 24 7 (also in Halliwell, 
Naval Ballads, 81) 
Blare, at the Looking-Glass 
(1683-1706) 
Printed for J. 
London-Bridge. 
II. CATALOGUES 
Simpson, 191 
503 
on 
THE MARINERS MISFORTUNE 
The Mariners Misfortune; 
Or, The Unfortunate Voyage of two Constant Lovers. 
Being an Account of a faithful Seaman, who going to take his 
Farewel of his Sweetheart, she resolved come Life, or come 
Death, to Sail with him; and putting her self into Mans 
Apparel, went the Voyage with him, but by distress of 
weather, coming home were cast away, the constant Seaman 
having no other help, betook himself to swimming, and 
having got his Sweetheart upon his back, swam till he was 
almost tyred, but was at last taken up by an Algerine, 
who carryed them to Algiers, where being brought before 
the Governour, she confessed her selfe to be a Female, which 
so astonished the Governour, that he in requital of her 
constancy, set them both free, who are happily Arrived in 
England again. 
Tune of, (The) Souldiers Departure. 
A Seaman lov'd a Maiden pretty, 
and esteem'd her as his life, 
She was beauteous, fair and witty, 
whom he vow'd should be his wife: 
He was minded, and designed 
for to leave the brittish shore, 
And sail again unto the Main, 
as he had often done before. 
So he kindly came unto her 
and his mind did thus express, 
Dearest, of my love be sure, 
in thee is all my happiness. 
And yet must I immediately 
be forc'd to leave thee on the shore, 
When I again, come from the Main, 
I swear i'le never leave thee more. 
These his words her mind did trouble, 
and did pierce her tender heart, 
Then her sorrows they grew double, 
and increas'd her deadly smart: 
She replyed, if she dyed, 
to the Main with him she'd go. 
Quoth he, my Dear, I greatly fear, 
hardship thou canst not undergo. 
504 
I am loath for to forsake thee, 
yet I constant will remain, 
And my faithful wife will make thee 
when I home return again: 
He did protest, he did not jest, 
but yet she constantly did cry 
I do not fear, my only Dear, 
for with thee I will live and dye. 
I'm resolv'd in spight of danger 
that I will thy Messmate be, 
Through the world i'le be a ranger 
for my Loves dear company: 
By joynt consent, to Sea they went 
to satisfy her hearts desire; 
This was not known to any one, 
for she was drest in man's attire. 
To the Ocean then they Sailed, 
little did the Captain know, 
That a Female with him sailed 
and sometimes in the long boat Row. 
She did behave her self so brave 
that none could this her trick discern; 
Industriously this damsel she 
did Navigation strive to learn. 
Do but mark how fickle Fortune 
did their comforts all destroy, 
She doth often prove uncertain 
and eclipse true lovers joy: 
For blustring wind, too oft we find 
do work poor Seamens overthrow: 
And so were they all cast away, 
great pitty 'twas it should be so. 
In this distress these faithful lovers 
both were like for to be lost; 
Surging Seas did wash them over, 
they on mighty Waves were tost: 
In this distress, most pittiless, 
care for his love he did not lack; 
With weary limbs long time he swims, 
while his true love was on his back. 
505 
But he at last was almost tyred, 
past hopes of finding some relief; 
Tho fortune smiles they oft desired, 
for to ease them of their grief: 
An Algerine, at that same time, 
did happen to come sayling by; 
So straightway he, most earnestly 
aloud to them for help did cry. 
They took them up into their ship, 
that they were Turks they quickly found, 
At first their hearts for joy did leap, 
at last they were with sorrow drown'd: 
For Algier then, they sailed agen, 
not knowing who they had for prize, 
For none bewray'd, it was a Maid 
whose Echo's then did pierce the Skies. 
Before the Governour they came, 
and then the truth she did reveal, 
She freely did confess the same, 
which long before she did conceal, 
So presently, her constancy 
most mightily he did commend, 
And back again, he o're the Main 
did both these faithful lovers send. 
Printed for J. Blare, at the Looking-Glass on London-Bridge. 
Bagford Ballads, Vol. I, p. 247. 
506 
38. CONSTANCE AND ANTHONY 
(Constance and Anthony: or, An Admirable 
New Northern Story; An Admirable New 
Northern Story of Two Constant Lovers; 
An Admirable New Northern Story) 
An Admirable New Northern Story. 
Of two constant Lovers as I understand, 
Were born near Appleby in Westmoreland, 
The Lads name Anthony, Constance the Lass, 
To sea they went both and great dangers did pass: 
How they suffer'd shipwrack on the Coast of Spain 
For two Years divided and then met again; 
By wonderful Fortune and rare accident, 
And now both live at home with joy and content. 
The Tune is, I would thou wert in Shrewsbury. 
Two Lovers in the North, 
Constance and Anthony, 
Of them I will set forth 
a gallant History: 
They lov'd exceeding well, 
as plainly doth appear; 
But that which I shall tell, 
the like you ne'er did hear. 
Still she crys Anthony, 
my bonny Anthony, 
Gang thou by land or sea, 
I'll wend along with thee. 
Anthony, being called to sea, bids farewell to Constance who 
protests the separation and says she will "dress me like a 
lad" and engage as the ship's cook. The two go to sea and 
serve until a tempest casts the ship away "upon the coast of 
Spain." "Swimming upon a Plank'; Constance reaches shore 
alone and remains two years with a merchant who thinks she 
is a boy. Anthony is rescued from the tempest by "an Eng-
lish Runagade" and becomes a slave "i' the Galley row." 
One of the merchant's ships captures the pirate vessel and 
brings it "into Bilbo" where the lovers are reunited, and 
Constance reveals her identity to the merchant who sends 
them home to England with "a sum of Gold." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
507 
71-217F 
London: Printed by T. Norres at the Looking-
glass on Londonbridge And sold by S. Bates, 
in Giltspur Street. (1712-20) 
Yale, 
Ib58Tdl 
Roxburghe Ballads, I, 23 
Printed for William Thackeray at the Angel 
in Duck,-Lane, and A.M. (1689-92) 
Euing Ballads, 9, no. 8 
Printed by and for A.M. and Sold by the 
Booksellers of Pye Corner and London-Bridge. 
(1686-88; 1693) 
11, no. 9 
Printed for T. Vere, at the Sign .•• 
13, no. 10 
Printed for T. Vere at the Sign of the Angel 
without Newgate. (1646-c.67) 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Trade List of William Thackeray, London c. 1689," 
in Shepard, John Pitts, opposite p. 20 
"Constant and Anthony," Sta.tioners Register, Sept. 
20, 1712, entered to Tho. Norris and Charles Brown. 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c.. • Printed and Sold by 
William and Cluer Dicey. . 17 54," Bodleian MS 258 
reproduced in Thomson, "Development~' p. 288 
Crawford, 1222 
Halliwell, Catalogue of Proclamations, 42, no. 262 
Thomson, 25, no. 74 
Wing, C5936 Lamson,"Two lovers" 
508 
CONSTANCE AND ANTHONY 
An Admirable New Northern Story. 
Of two constant Lovers as I understand, 
Were born near Appleby in Westmoreland, 
The Lads name Anthony, Constance the Lass, 
To sea they went both and great dangers did pass: 
How they suffer'd shipwrack on the Coast of Spain 
For two Years divided and then met again; 
By wonderful fortune and rare accident, 
And now both live at home with joy and content. 
The Tune is, I would thou wert in Shrewsbury. 
Two Lovers in the North, 
Constance and Anthony, 
Of them I will set forth 
a gallant History: 
They lov'd exceeding well, 
as plainly doth appear; 
But that which I shall tell, 
the like you ne'er did hear. 
Still she crys Anthony, 
my bonny Anthony, 
Gang thou by land or sea, 
I'll wend along with thee. 
Anthony must to Sea, 
His Calling did him bind, 
My Constance, Dear, quoth he, 
I must leave thee behind, 
I prithee do not grieve, 
thy tears will not prevail: 
I'll think on thee my Sweet 
when the Ships under sail. 
But still, &c. 
How may that be? said he, 
consider well the case: 
Quoth she sweet Anthony, 
I'll bide not in this place. 
If thou gang so will I, 
of the means do not doubt: 
A womans Policy 
great matters may find out: 
My bonny, &c. 
509 
I would be very glad, 
but prithee tell me how? 
I'll dress me like a Lad, 
what sayst thou to me now? 
The Sea thou canst not brook, 
yes very well (quoth she) 
I'll Scullion to the Cook 
for thy sweet company. 
My bonny, &c. 
Anthony's leave she had, 
and Drest in Mans array, 
She seem'd the blithest Lad 
seen on a Summers Day. 
0 see what Love can do, 
at home she will not bide: 
With her true Love she'll go, 
let weal or woe betide. 
My dearest, &c. 
In the Ship 'twas her lot 
to be the under Cook; 
And at the Fire hot, 
wonderful pains she took: 
She served e'ery one, 
fitting to their degree; 
And now and then alone, 
she kissed Anthony. 
My bonny Anthony, 
my bonny Anthony, 
Gang thou by land or sea, 
I'll wend along with thee. 
ALack and welladay 
by tempest on the Main, 
Their Ship was cast away 
upon the Coast of Spain: 
To th' mercy of the waves, 
they all committed were, 
Constance her own self saves, 
then she crys for her dear. 
My bonny Anthony, 
my bonny Anthony, 
Gang thou by land or sea, 
I'll wend along with thee. 
510 
Swinnning upon a Plank, 
at Bilbo she got ashore 
First she did heaven thank, 
then she lamented sore, 
0 woe is me (said she) 
the saddest Lass alive, 
My dearest Anthony, 
now on the Sea doth drive. 
My bonny, &c. 
What shall become of me? 
why do I strive for shore, 
Sith my sweet Anthony, 
I never shall see more? 
Fair Constance do not grieve, 
the same good providence, 
Hath sav'd thy lover sweet, 
but he is far from hence, 
Still, &c. 
A spanish Merchant rich, 
saw this fair seeming Lad, 
That did lament so much; 
and was so grievous sad: 
He had in England been 
and English understood, 
He having heard and seen 
he in amazement stood: 
still she cries Anthony &c. 
The Merchant asked her 
what was that Anthony: 
Quoth she My Brother Sir 
who came from thence with me. 
He did her entertain 
thinking she was a Boy; 
Two years she did remain 
before she met her joy. 
still she cries &c. 
Anthony up was tane 
by an English Runagade, 
With whom he did remain 
at the Sea-roving trade: 
I'th nature of a Slave 
he did i'th Galley row; 
Thus he his life did save 
but Constance did not know: 
511 
• 
still she cries Anthony, 
my bonny Anthony, 
Gang thou by land or sea 
Ile wend along with thee. 
Now mark what came to pass; 
see how the fates did work: 
A Ship that her Masters was 
surprised this English Turk, 
And into Bilbo brought 
all that aboard her were; 
Constance still little thought 
Anthony was so near. 
still she cries &c. 
When they were come on shore 
Anthony and the rest, 
She who was sad before 
was now with joy possest; 
The Merchant much did muse 
at this so sudden change, 
He did demand the News, 
which unto him was strange: 
Now she, &c. 
Upon her knees she fell 
unto her Master kind; 
And all the truth did tell, 
nothing she kept behind: 
At which he did admire, 
and in a ship of Spain, 
Not paying for their hire, 
he sent them home again. 
Now she, &c. 
The spanish Merchant rich 
did of his bounty give, 
A sum of Gold, on which 
they now most bravely life: 
And now in Westmoreland 
they were joyn'd hand in hand, 
Constancy and Anthony, 
they live in mirth and glee, 
Now she cries Anthony, 
my bonny Anthony, 
512 
Good Providence we see, 
hath guarded thee and me. 
FINIS. 
Printed by and for A.M. and Sold by the Booksellers of Pye corner 
and London-Bridge. 
Euing Ballads, No. 8, p. 9. 
513 
39. THE PAISLEY OFFICER (N-2) 
(The Paisley Officer; In Blithe and Bonny 
Fair Scotland; Blythe and Bonny Scotland; 
India's Burning Sands; Mary, the Village 
Pride; Henry and Mary; The Village Pride; 
India's Burning Shore) 
In blythe and bonny Scotland, where the blue bells do grow 
There dwelt a pretty fair maid down in a valley low. 
It's all the day long she herded sheep upon the bank of 
the Clyde, 
Altho' her lot in life was low she was called the village 
pride. 
An officer from Paisley goes out to fowl and sees "Mary's 
cottage." He courts her until his regiment "has received 
the rout~ when he tells her he must go. She says that she 
will go with him as his servant, "disguised in man's attire~· 
The ladies of Paisley admire the new recruit, and no one 
suspects that "he" is Mary. They go to India where she 
suffers but smiles when she sees "young Henry." They fight 
a battle, and Henry is killed. As she takes him in her 
arms, she is shot and dies. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.17, IV, 101 
Printed and sold by W.R. Walker, Royal 
Arcade, Newcastle on Tyne, and may be had 
of Stewart, Botchergate, Carlisle. 
(1856-66) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Robert McIntosh, Printer, 303 Gallowgate, 
Glasgow. 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, II 
Trinity College Dublin, 
21.bb.52, p. 353 
B. Folksong Versions 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive, 
66-24; C260 (Parson's Pond, Nfld.) 
514 
66-24; C268 (Parson's Pond, Nfld.) 
64-21; C444 (Harbour Breton, Nfld., 1967) 
69-34; C554 (Ramea, Nfld., 1968) 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
T5-69-36 (Leitrim, 1969) 
British Broadcasting Corporation Archive of 
Recorded Sound, 
22037 (Leitrim, 1954) 
Ulster Folk Museum, Belfast, 
Shields Coll., T-1969-9/UCLA T7-73-18 (Derry, 
1969) 
Creighton, Maritime Songs, 158 
Creighton and Senior, 192 
Doerflinger, 308 
Flanders-Barry, 19 
Folktracks, FSA 60-076 (recording) 
Gardner and Chickering, 222 
Gray, 85 
BFSSNE, IV, 15 
Mackenzie, 143 
Greig-Duncan, 496, no. 185 
S. Henry, no. 120 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 202 
Wilgus-Long 
515 
THE PAISLEY OFFICER 
The Paisley Officer. 
In blythe and bonny Scotland, where the blue bell do grow, 
There dwelt a pretty fair maid down in a valley low. 
It's all the day long she herded sheep upon the bank of the Clyde, 
Altha' her lot in life was low she was called the village pride. 
An Officer from Paisley town went out to fowl one day, 
He wandered to the lovely spot where Mary's cottage lay, 
A long and loving look he took upon her form so fair, 
And wondered how so bright a flower grew and flourished there. 
But many times he came again and at each visit paid, 
His flattering tounge did win the heart of this sweetvillage maid. 
At length he came one morning, his face was dark with woe, 
0 Mary dear, he said to her, from you I now must go, 
Our regiment has received the rout, and love and duty yields. 
I must exchange your lovely glens for India's burning sand. 
0 Henry said this tender maid from you I cannot part, 
Take me as your wedded wife--you know you've won my heart. 
To go with you through flood and field is now my chief desire, 
And as for your servant I will go disguised in man's attire, 
He took her on to Paisely town and much they wondered there, 
To see the new recruit that looked so gentle, slight and fair, 
The ladies admired her as she stood each day upon parade, 
But no one thought the soldiers coat concealed a lovely maid. 
Soon across the raging seas, and marched on burning sand; 
No pen can trace what Mary bore in India's track of land. 
But tho' she found her strength give way, her woe she strove to 
hide, 
And smiled as she looked round and saw young Henry by her side. 
But now the hour of trial came, when on the battle field, 
She saw the British troops give way, and to the Indians yield, 
She saw her lover struck down, a spear had pierced his side, 
Yet from his post he never flinched, but where he stood and died. 
She raised him from the bloody ground, and in her arms him pressed, 
And while she thought to staunch his wound a ball passed through 
her breast. 
So as these pair lived true in life in death they were the same, 
For when their fond hearts blood gushed forth it mixed in one red 
stream. 
Printed and sold by W.R. Walker, Royal Arcade, 
Newcastle on Tyne, and may be had of Stewart, 
Botchergate, Carlisle. 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. IV, BS 101 
516 
40. WILLIAM AND HARRIET (M-7) 
William and Harriet 
It's of a rich gentleman near London did dwell, 
And he had a young daughter a farmer lov'd well, 
Because she was handsome and lov'd him so true, 
But her father he wanted her to bid him adieu. 
After an argument with her, the father decides to confine 
his daughter and send William "far over the sea." When 
William tells her of this, Harriet decides to go with him. 
"Drest like a sailor as near as could be," she goes with 
him "to some foreign shore." The ship sinks in a storm, 
and the two are cast onto an island where they die "folded 
together." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
Harkness, Printer, 121, Church St., Preston 
(1839-60) 
54-784, I 
Printed and Sold Wholesale and Retail, by 
G. Jacques Oldham Rd; Manchester. 
(1840-45) 
54-784, I 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48 Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
54-784, I 
Stephenson, Gateshead. 
25242.27, 25 
(1821-38) 
H. Disley, printer, 57, High-street, St. 
Giles. (c.1860-70) 
25243.lOPF 
25242.17, IV, 29 
W.R. Walker, Printer and Publisher, Royal 
Arcade, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. (1856-66) 
25242.17, V, 162 
Printed by Ryle and Co., 2 and 3 Monmouth 
Court, Bloomsbury. (1845-59) 
25242.17, IX, 92 
Bebbington, 22 Goulden St., Oldham Rd., 
Manchester. (c.1855-70) 
25242.17, XI, 9 
Such, 123 Union Street Borough, London. 
(1849-69) 
25242.74, "Bluebound Book," 57 
517 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
James Lindsay, 11 King St., City, Glasgow. 
Uncat. BSS, III 
C. Paul, Printer, 18 Gt. St. Andrew-street, 
7 Dials. (1845-57) 
KVB, II, 4 7v 
Boston Public 
H80.219, 47r 
C. Paul, 
7 Dials. 
Library/Rare Book Division, 
Printer, 18 Gt. St. Andrew-street, 
(1845-57) 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
UCLA/Sp.Coll., 
f/605 
H. Disley, Printer, 57, High-street, St. 
Giles. (c.1860-70) 
f/605 
H. Such. Printer Newsvender, &c. 123. Union 
Street Borough, London. (1849-69) 
PR974C691, Coll. of 12 Chapbooks, c. 1839-50 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, V, 15 
Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble 
warehouse 6, Great St. Andrew street, Seven 
Dials. (1819-44) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
Gordon MSS 1676 (Allston, Mass., 1926) 
Cox, Folk Songs, 343 
Edwards, Australian Folk Songs, 114 
Garrison, 76 (Zack, Ark., 1942) 
Hubbard, 61 
Publications of Folklore Society of Texas, X, 157 
JFSS, VIII, 267 
O'Brien, II, 435 (Brigg Union, 1905) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 183 
518 
WILLIAM AND HARRIET (M-7) 
William And Harriet. 
It's of a rich gentleman near London did dwell, 
And he had a young daughter a farmer lov'd well, 
Because she was handsome and lov'd him so true 
But her father he wanted her to bid him adieu, 
0 father dear father I'm not so inclin'd, 
To drive my young farmer quite out of my mind; 
0 unruly daughter confined you shall be, 
And I will sned your young farmer far over the sea. 
As she was a sitting in her bower one day, 
And William was waiting, he heard her to say, 
She sung like a linnet, and appeared like a dove, 
And the song that she sung was concerning her love. 
She had not been there long when William passed by, 
And on his dear Harriet he cast his longing eye, 
He said your cruel father with mine did agree, 
For to send me a sailing straight over the sea. 
She said my sweet William with you I will go, 
Since my cruel father has served me so, 
I will pass for your shipmate and do what I can, 
With William I will venture like a jolly young man. 
She drest like a sailor as near as could be, 
Saying we will both go together across the salt sea, 
So they both went together to some foreign shore 
And never to England return'd any more. 
As they were a sailing by some foreign shore 
The wind from the ocean began for to roar, 
The ship she went down to the bottom of the sea 
And cast upon an island was William and she. 
They rambled together some place for to spy, 
They had nothing to eat and no place to lie, 
So they sat down together upon the cold ground 
While the waves and the tempest made a terrible sound. 
A hunger came on them, and death drawing nigh 
They folded together intending to die, 
What pair could be bolder to bid this world adieu 
And there they mult moulder like lovers so true 
So all you true lovers that pass by that way, 
Pray drop a tear from your glittering eye, 
One tear drop with pity and point towards the way 
519 
Where William and Harriet a slumbering do lay. 
Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble warehouse 
6, Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. V, p. 15. 
520 
WILLIAM AND HARRIET (M-7) 
William And Harriet. 
'Tis of a rich old gentleman in England did dwell, 
He had but one daughter whom a farmer loved well, 
Because she was handsome and loved him so true, 
Her father he wanted her to bade him adieu. 
She said Dearest father I'm not so inclined, 
As to drive this young farmer right out of my mind 
Then it's unruly daughter, confined you shall be, 
While I send this young farmer right over the sea. 
Then it's my dearest Willy, along with you I'll go, 
Since my cruel father has served you so, 
To pass as your shipmate I'll do all I can, 
And with you I will venture like a jovial sailor man. 
She dressed as a sailor as near as could be, 
And they both sailed together across the salt sea, 
They both sailed together to some foreign shore, 
And ne'er to old England returned any more. 
As they were a-sailing to some foreign shore, 
The wind on the ocean began for to roar. 
The ship she went down to the bottom of the sea, 
And cast on an island was William and she. 
They both walked together some place for to find, 
There was nothing to eat and nowhere to lie 
So they lay themselves down all on the cold round, 
While the rain and the tempest made a terrible sound. 
With night coming on and death drawing nigh, 
They folded together intending to die, 
As what pair could be bolder to bid this world adieu, 
And now they lay slumbering like overs so true. 
Now all you young maidens that pass by this way 
One tear drop and pity when you point to the way, 
Where young William and Harriet are slumbering in decay. 
Edwards, Australian Folk Songs, p. 114. (Cooktown, 1969). 
521 
41. WILLIAM AND PHILLIS 
(William and Phillis; Phillis 
and Young William) 
William and Phillis 
Said William to young Phillis, how came you here 
so soon? 
You seem to love to ramble all in the month of June 
The birds are singing charmingly so set you down by me 
To view the lambkins playing all around the greenwood 
tree. 
She says that her parents object because he is a sailor, and 
she will "venture with [her] sailor." He says that he is 
going, and she is too frail to accompany him. She replies 
that she has clothing "already for the sea." They go, and 
"young Phillis did her duty." A storm arises, and they 
must "let a small boat down." After many hardships, they 
land on the coast of America, "good and friendly land." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
W. and T. Fordyce, Printers, Dean-Street, 
Newcastle. (1837-41) 
25242.71, 193r 
Printed at the "Catnach Press," by W.S. 
Fortey, Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury. 
(1859-82) 
25242.17, VI, 222 
J. Cadman, Printer, Great Ancoats Street, 
Manchester. (1850-55) 
25242.17, VII, 88 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. (1836-38) 
25242.17, IX, 204 
Bebbington-26 Goulden-street, Oldham-road, 
Manchester: sold by H. Andrews, 27, St. 
Peter-street; and J. Beaumont, 176 York-
street, Leeds. (1855) 
25242.17, XII, 51 
London:--H. Such, Printer 
123, Union St. Boro'--SE. 
punctually attended to. 
and Publisher, 
Country orders 
(1849-69) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
522 
"' 
W. Dever, (late Paul's), 18, Gt. Saint 
Andrew street, 7 Dials, London. (c.1857) 
New York Public Library/Music Division-Sp.Coll., 
BS Coll. 
Printed at the "Catnach Press" by W.S. Fortey, 
Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury. (1859-82) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex3598.847 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
f/605 
J. Catnach, 
7 Dials. 
Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth-court, 
(1836-38) 
Yale, 
Ib57+t2, Misc. English BSS 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 
7 Dials. 
B. Folksong Versions 
Creighton, Folk Songs, 74 
and 3, Monmouth-Court, 
(1836-38) 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., I, 373 
III. COMMENTS 
A number of broadside versions suggest that this 
ballad be sung to the tune of William and Harriet. 
523 
WILLIAM AND PHILLIS 
William And Phillis. 
Tune,--William and Harriet. 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, & 3, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials. 
Said William to young Phillis, how came you here so soon? 
You seem to love to ramble all in the month of June: 
The birds are singing charmingly, so set you down by me 
To view the lambkins playing all around the greenwood tree. 
She said, my charming sailor my parents do mind 
They said to wed so early, they thought it was (a shame) 
My father has declar'd he'll prove your overthrow, 
Because you are a sailor bold that ploughs the ocean thro'. 
But I ne'er mind my father, although he threatens you 
For though I am his daughter such usage will not do, 
I will venture with my sailor no longer will I mourn 
For you'll seldom find a better, when your old sweet-heart 
is gone. 
Said William, now the ocean has summon'd me away 
I hope you'll change your notion, and with your parents stay. 
It will hurt your constitution, your fingers is so (small) 
So stay at home & do not roam our cable ropes to haul. 
Said Phillis, I have clothing already for the sea, 
So we will go together unto America; 
And then we'll be united, and live so happily, 
And talk about our tales of love, likewise the greenwood tree. 
They both did go together, to sail the ocean wide; 
Young Phillis did her duty, for William was her pride; 
But mark their desolation, the wind began to blow, 
The lightning flash'd the thunder roar'd, in fleaks down fell the 
snow. 
For three weeks on the ocean they were toss'd up & down 
Their ship had lost her anchors, the masts away were blown 
When short of provision & all prepared to die, 
Young Phillis hung around her love, & bitterly did cry 
524 
Young William let the small boat down, and in it them did go, 
Poor Phillis and young William all on the sea did row. 
Their drink it was salt water, and that alone was sweet 
They tore their clothing from their backs, for they had nought 
to eat. 
With thirst and cold and hunger they on their knees did pray 
Midst lightning, rain and thunder they pass'd their time away, 
At length upon a dismal night they were cast upon the strand, 
On the coast of America, good and friendly land 
They met with kind assistance, it did their health restore 
And now they are united all on that fruitful shore. 
They are happy in America, all in prosperity, 
Young Phillis and young William down by the greenwood tree. 
UCLA/SC #605 
525 
42. FAITHFUL ELLEN 
Faithful Ellen 
Farewell! dearest Ellen, the ocean now calls me, 
To far distant shores o'er the wide crested foam, 
Though I leave you behind my heart is still with you, 
So do not despair though from you I roam; 
For when I am sailing across the salt ocean, 
The thoughts of my Ellen will comfort my mind; 
I will return to my dearest in the height of promotion 
So grieve not at parting to you I'll prove kind. 
She urges him to stay, but he says that her parents slight 
him because he is a sailor. "Arrayed like a sailor," she 
goes with him and serves for "two years and a-half." Re-
turning to England, she goes to her father and asks his 
forgiveness and consent to their marriage. The captain 
"gave her away" at the wedding, and "now 20 bright thousand 
a-year is her portion," as she, Henry and their children 
"dwell in a neat rural cottage." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
11605 
London:--Printed and Published by H. 
Such, 123, Union Street, Boro'--S.E. 
(1849-69) 
526 
FAITHFUL ELLEN 
Faithful Ellen. 
Tune,--Why did she leave him? 
Farewell! dearest Ellen, the ocean now calls me, 
To far distant shores o'er the wide crested foam, 
Though I leave you behind my heart is still with you, 
So do not despair though from you I roam; 
For when I am sailing across the salt ocean, 
The thoughts of my Ellen will comfort my mind; 
I will return to my dearest in the height of promotion, 
So grieve not at parting to you I'll prove kind. 
0 Henry, you know, 'tis a folly you're a going 
When contented and happy you might be at home, 
Why to foreign lands will you be a ranger, 
When sad and so lonely I shall be when you're gone? 
Your parents they slight me, 'cause I am a sailor; 
That's the separation between you and me, 
The anchor is weigh'd! I will brave every danger, 
And try to find comfort on the green rolling sea. 
Since you are fully bent, I will sail along with you, 
I care not for my parents whatever they say; 
I have sailors' clothing with you for to go, 
To dress myself dearest, so now let us away. 
Arrayed like a sailor she went with her lover; 
Her duty she done--though her hands they were soft 
She oft plumb'd the deep!--heav'd the lead!--weigh'd the anchor! 
Like a true British sailor she went up aloft. 
Now she is happy along with her lover, 
Away from old England on some foreign shore, 
She never regrets leaving father and mother, 
She cries, "I'm content with the lad I adore!" 
Two years and a a-half she was on the salt ocean, 
Like a true British hero she fought on the main; 
At length orders came for to sail to old England, 
Then with her young Henry returned home again. 
527 
To her father went Ellen in seaman's apparel, 
To crave his forgiveness I now do confess, 
I then did agree with my Henry to travel, 
Across the salt seas, at home I could not rest, 
To leave me behind--! loved him so dearly, 
That's the reason, dear father, I went o'er the main; 
Now all that I crave is the hand of my Henry, 
For him I have suffered great danger and pain. 
Then her father agreed they should be united, 
So to church they repaired the very next day, 
In wedlock now joined may their hopes ne'er be blighted, 
The captain they sailed with he gave her away. 
Now twenty bright thousand a-year is her portion, 
Their children caressing and climbing each knee, 
Contented they dwell in a neat rural cottage, 
And Ellen she oft talks how she braved the sea. 
London:--Printed and Published by H. Such, 
123, Union Street, Boro--S.E. 
UCLA/SC #605 
528 
43. CAROLINE AND HER YOUNG SAILOR BOLD (N-17) 
(Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold; The Young 
Sailor Bold; The Nobleman's Daughter; Caroline 
and Her Young Sailor Boy; A Rich Nobleman's 
Daughter; Young Caroline and the Sailor; Caroline 
and Her Young Sailor Boy) 
It is of a nobleman's daughter, 
So comely and handsomely near, 
Her father possessed of great fortune, 
Full thirty-five thousand a year; 
He had but one only daughter, 
Caroline is her name, we are told, 
One day from her drawing-room window, 
She admired a young sailor so bold. 
She proposes to him, but he advises against the match be-
cause her parents "are bound to mind" and "on sailors there 
is no dependence." She insists, dresses herself "like a 
young sailor," and goes with him for two-and-a-half years 
during which time "her duty she done like a sailor." When 
they return to England she goes to her father who faints 
and then gives his permission to marry upon recovering. 
Caroline and her sailor wed, and she receives a "portion in 
gold." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I-
Stephenson's Superior Songs (1821-38) 
54-784, II 
Fortiyce, Printer, Dean Street, Newcastle 
(1829-37) 
25243.lOPF 
25242.17, I, 80 
25242.17, I, 118 
Spencer, Broadstones, Bradford 
25242.17, IV, 18 
W.R. Walker, Royal Arcade, Newcastle; and 
may be had Stewart, Carlisle. (1857-66) 
25242.17, IV, 126 
Printed and sold by John Ross, Royal Arcade, 
Newcastle; may be had of Stewart, Botchergate, 
Carlisle; and Dalton, Walmgate, York.(1847-52) 
25242.17, IY, 137 
Printed and sold by John Ross, Royal Arcade, 
Newcastle; may be had of Stewart, Botchergate, 
Carlisle; and Dalton, Walmgate, York. (1847-52) 
529 
25242.17, VI, 234 
John Cadman, Printer, 152, Great Ancoats, 
Manchester (c.1855) 
25242.17, VII, 93 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. (1836-38) 
25242.17, XII, II 
H. Such, 177 Union Street, Boro'. (1869-86) 
Misc. Uncat. BSS, folder 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, p. v. 3, 7 3 
Swindells, Manchester (1760-1853) 
New York Public Library/Music Division, 
BS Coll 
London: Printed at the "Catnach Press" by 
W. [S. Fortey] (1859-82) 
BS Coll 
DeMarsan, Chatham Street, New York. (c.1850) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
PS593L8A3, IIL, 361 
DeMarsan, Chatham Street, New York. (c.1850) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
Coll S6981, III, 52 
H. DeMarsan,--& 6 Chatham Street, New York. 
(c.1850) 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3 Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. (1836-38) 
Library Company of Philadelphia, 
Wolf 1614 
DeMarsan, Chatham Street, New York. (c.1850) 
Royal Irish Academy, 
66.H.117 
Trinity College Dublin, 
21.bb.61, p. 215; CC.M.77 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, I, 31 
BS Ballads, rt, 168 
530 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3 Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. (1836-38) 
BS Ballads, V, 50 
Pitts, Printer, 6, Ogreat St. Andrew-street 
dials (1819-44) 
Yale, 
Folio 254 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, III, 29 
Ireland's Own, 2 Oct. 1937, p. 21 
Journal Cork Hist. and Arch. Soc., I, 68 
O'Lochlainn, More Irish~ee"tB°allads, 78 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
7120A,B2 (N.S., 1943) 
7133B (N.S., 1943) 
9203A (N.S., 1948) 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
152, p. 282 (Waterford, 1936) 
*514, p. 105 (Cork, 1938) 
*1411, p. 420 (Mayo, 1955) 
Sll4, p. 100 (Mayo,c.1938) 
S292, p. 122 (Cork,c.1938) 
S554, p. 247 (Tipperary,c. 1938) 
MacDonagh 
T57E/UCLA T7-69-54 (Mayo, 1958) 
Creighton, 66 
Leach, 94 
Peacock, II, 329 
Whitten, 91 
Chilton, 152 
Purslow, Foggy Dew, 12 
Stubbs, Life.£! Man, 22 
Greig, Folk-Song_£.£ North-East, CLXIII 
Greig-Duncan, 469, no. 176 
Ceol, II, 62 
Top~c 12Tl82 (recording) 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Huntington, 103 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 211 Wilgus-Long 
531 
Wolf No. 1614 
CAROLINE AND HER YOUNG SAILOR BOLD (N-17) 
The Young Sailor Bold. 
It is of a nobleman's daughter, 
So comely and handsome we hear, 
Her father possessed a great fortune, 
Full thirty five thousand a year, 
He had but one only daughter, 
Caroline was her name we are told 
And one day from her drawing room window 
She admired a young sailor bold. 
His cheeks they appeared like two roses 
His hair was as black as a jet, 
Young Caroline watched his departure 
Walked round and young William she met, 
She said I'm a nobleman's daughter, 
Possest of ten thousand in gold 
I'll forsake both my father and mother, 
To wed with a young sailor bold, 
Said William, young lady, remember 
Your parents you're bound for to mind 
And on sailors there is no dependence, 
When their lovers are left far behind 
Be advised, stay at home with your parents 
And do by them as you are told, 
And never let any one tempt you, 
To wed with a young sailor bold 
She said there's no one shall persuade me, 
One moment to alter my mind, 
But I'll ship and proceed with my true love 
He never shall leave me behind, 
Then she drest like a gallant young sailor 
Forsock both her parents and gold, 
Two years and a half on the ocean, 
She ploughed with her young sailor bold 
Three times with her love she was shipwrecked 
And always proved constant and kind 
Her duty she done like a sailor, 
Went aloft in her jacket so blue 
Her father long wept and lamented 
From his eyes tears in torrents long rolled, 
When at length they arrived safe in England 
Caroline and her young sailor bold. 
532 
Caroline went straightway to her father 
In her jacket and trowsers so blue. 
He received her and momently fainted, 
When first she appeared to his view, 
She cried my dear father forgive me, 
Deprive me for ever of gold 
Grant me my request I'm contented 
To wed with my young sailor bold, 
Then her father admired young William, 
And vowed in sweet unity, 
If life did him spare to the morning, 
Together they married should be. 
They were married and Caroline's portion 
Was two hundred thousand in gold 
So now they live happy and cheerful 
Caroline and her young sailor bold. 
Pitts, Printer, 6, Great St. Andrew-street dials 
University of Kentucky, Vol. V, p. 50. 
533 
CAROLINE AND HER YOUNG SAILOR BOLD (N-17) 
A Rich Nobleman's Daughter 
There was a rich nobleman's daughter, 
So handsome, as I've been told, 
One day from her drawingroom window 
She spied a young sailor so bold. 
His cheeks they seemed like two roses, 
His hair was black as a jet. 
She waited and sought his departure, 
Walked down to young William, and said: 
'I'm a rich nobleman's daughter, 
Worth thirty-five thousand in gold. 
I'd forsake my old father and mother 
To wed with a young sailor bold.' 
'Advice: stay home, young Caroline; 
Your parents you are bound to mind. 
In sailors there's no dependence; 
They leave their true lovers behind.' 
'You need not persuade me one minute 
Or try to alter my mind. 
I'll dress in pursuit of my sailor; 
He never shall leave me behind.' 
She dressed like a gallant young sailor, 
Forsalt her old parents and gold. 
Three years and a half on the ocean 
She spent with her young sailor bold. 
Three times these true lovers were shipwrecked. 
She always proved constant and true. 
Her duty she did as a sailor 
When aloft in her jacket of blue. 
When returning home to old England, 
Caroline and her young sailor true, 
Straight home she went to her parents 
With her jacket and trousers of blue. 
'Forgive me, dearest parents, 
And do not deprive me of gold. 
How happy I'll be, contented 
To wed with my young sailor bold.' 
Her parents admired young William, 
Bound down in sweet unity, 
Saying,'You both live till tomorrow morning, 
Both married together shall be.' 
534 
44. THE SOLDIER'S DELIGHT 
The Soldier's Delight, or 
The She Voluntier. 
Being a True and Faithful Narative of a certain 
Young Lover, who Courting a scornful Mistress, 
went discontented into the Army; and she, repenting 
of her unkindness, to recompense the Soldier's 
affection, disguised her sex and Listed her self 
Voluntier. 
Tune of Amoret and Phillis 
A young man lately lov'd a Lass, of beauty so renown'd, 
That she her sexe's glory was, and all their virtues 
crown'd. 
The grace and envy of the Plains she singly did comprize, 
Still he addrest, still she disdains,-and thus distrest 
he cryes, 
And thus distrest he cryes:--
Discontented with his unresponsive mistress, the young man 
goes into the army. Repenting her disinterest, the woman 
sends him a conciliatory letter in Flanders, to which he 
replies disdainfully. "Manly Rigg'd," she goes to Flanders 
after him serving as a drummer. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
New York Public Library/Research Division, 
NACM+, Wood Coll. (facs.), I, 69 
Printed for F. Cole, T. Vere, J. Wright, 
and J. Carlk. (1674-79) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 732 
Printed for F. Cole, T. Vere, J. Wright, 
and J. Carlk. (1674-79) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Rollins, Analytical Index, 214, no. 2472 
Simpson, 19 
Stoughton (Rawson), 228, no. 294 
535 
THE SOLDIERS DELIGHT, OR THE SHE VOLUNTIER 
The Soldiers Delight, or the She Voluntier. 
Being a True and Faithful Narative of a certain Young 
Lover, who Courting a scornful Mistress, went discontented 
into the Army; and she, repenting of her unkindness, to 
recompense the Soldier's affection, disguised her sex and 
Listed her self Voluntier. 
Tune of Amoret and Phillis, With Allowance. 
A young man lately lov'd a Lass, of beauty so renown'd, 
That she her sexe's glory was, and all their virtues crown'd. 
The grace and envy of the Plains she singly did comprize, 
Still he addrest, still she disdains, and thus distrest he cryes, 
And thus distrest he cryes:--
Ye Powers above, if such there be, what anger rules her breast? 
She treats me so disdainfully, with sorrows so opprest, 
My bleeding heart requires relief, but when I urge my suit, 
And speak the language of my grief, Alas! why stands she mute? 
Alas! why stands she mute? 
I'le ne'r, said she, be so unkind, at least I'le speak to thee, 
But pity thee that thou thy mind hast so confin'd to me; 
And know, fond Swain, who ere thou art, my Love thou can'st not fear 
Take wholesome counsel in good part, Learn early to despair! 
Learn &c. 
The scornful answer she returnd he highly did resent 
He with another passion burnd and did of Love repent. 
Yet indignation never cou'd Love totally controul 
But still affection still renew'd And still torments his soul 
And still, &c. 
Then since said he my griefs are so I linger life in vain 
My death shall put an end to woe least life prolong my pain. 
To follow fate far nobler 'tis in going to the war 
Than courting a disdainful Misse To languish in despair. 
To &c. 
He thus his resolution spake and bannisht quite his fear 
And for his King and Countries sake he went a Voluntiere. 
Quoth he my cruel fate adieu to live by killing French 
Is nobler fortune of the two than court a scornful wench. 
than &c. 
And as for Flanders he design'd it griev'd the tender maid 
That she a Love so fair and kind with hatred had repaid. 
She curst her tongue that first deny'd she curst her cruel Eyes 
Repented that she not comply'd and so repenting cries 
and so &c. 
536 
Return she said and pitty take on her that mourns for thee 
Think on thy self when for my sake thou wast in misery. 
As thou desiredst when in grief to have thy grief remov'd 
0 send O send me some relief and let me be belov'd, 
and &c. 
A Soldier girt in Bandeliers clad cap ape in red 
That grieves a tender Virgin fears deserves to lose his head, 
It shan't be said among the French an Englishman at home, 
Was in his Armor by a wench with kindness overcome 
with kindness &c. 
But when the Soldier had return'd this answer to the maid 
Her kindnesses more vehement burnd her soul was more dismaid. 
Diseases desperate must be cur'd by remedies as bad 
Or else the pangs must be endured, when no cure can be had 
when no cure be had. 
Now her invention goes to work and all her arts conspire 
To call her wnadering Lover back or kindle his desire. 
But hopeless to obtain the first her project their despairs 
Resolves to venture on the Ark and follow to the wars 
and follow &c. 
She speedily was manly Rigg'd quite from the skin to skirt 
Made of her hair a Perriwig & of her smock a shirt. 
Instead of Quoif a hat she sought, for gown a doublet spoke 
For Bodice she a waistcoat bought for Pettycoats a Cloke 
for &c. 
Her tenderfeet wore clouted shoes her Girdle was a Belt 
Instead of Spits a Sword she chose Instead of towre a felt. 
And thus being drest from top toth toe she valiantly did come 
Along with Soldier to the foe upon the beat of Drum 
upon the &c. 
And now she is to Flanders gone with her beloved mate 
So great was her affection to run so hard a fate. 
You damsels all take rule by her at first be not too coy 
Least through disdaining to the war your Lovers run away 
your &c. 
You young men all take rule by this if maidens dare do so 
You shou'd much more neglect your Miss to fight a forreign foe. 
For if you fight not whilst you can it will be poorly said 
That the Couragious Englishman was vanquisht by a maid. 
Printed for F. Cole, T. Vere, J. Wright, and J. Clark. 
Collection of Photographic Facsimiles, 60. (Oxford: MLA, 1927), 
Vol. I, p. 69 (Anthony Wood, A Collection of Black-letter Ballads. 
Oxford, Bodleian Lib. MS E24,-401, 402, 41°6; 417, 276a, 276b). 
537 
45. PHILADELPHIA LASS 
(Philadelphia Lass; Mary in Search of Her 
Lover; Billy from America; A Much Admired 
Song Called Billy from America; The Uncon-
stant Lover) 
It was on a summer's morning all in the month of May, 
Down by those flowery gardens I carelessly did stray, 
I heard a damsel most grievously to complain, 
Saying William has gone and left me to plough the 
raging main. 
She mourns and then says "tarry jacket and blue trowsers" 
she will put on for her love. She will bid farewell to her 
father and mother and sail to America in search of William. 
"On the first of March" a storm arises, and she bids "fare-
well to faithless William" whose face she "ne'r will see." 
On the third of March the storm "did fall low," and the 
captain cried,"We have not far to go." They land in 
Philadelphia, and Mary finds William and "all sorrows bid 
adieu." He welcomes her and says that since she "proved 
so loyal so constant and true," he will marry her and 
"all sorrows bid adieu." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
54-784, I 
Stephenson, Printer, Gateshead. 
(1821-38) 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
54-784, I 
Printed and Sold by E. Keys, 7, James-street, 
Devonport. 
(1825-43) 
25242.18 
R. Evans, Printer, Foregate-Street, Chester. 
(1825-32) 
25276.43.5 
Leeds: Webb, Millington, and Co. 93, Briggate 
and J.H. Perryman, Birmingham. 
'1 (c.1855) 
538 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB,p.v.3, 102 
Swindells, Manchester (1760-1853) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex3598.847 
J. Catnach, 
7 Dials. 
Printer, 2, Monmouth-Court, 
(1813-35) 
Royal Irish Academy, 
*3.C.37 
*12.73.18 (Wright, 393) 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, V, 81 
Swindells, Printer, Manchester (1760-1853) 
Wright, 393 
B. Folksong Versions 
National Library of Irela.nd, 
Hume MS, *45-6 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
539 
THE PHILADELPHIA LASS 
The Philadelphia Lass 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials. 
It was on a summer's morning all in the month of May, 
Down by those flowery gardens I carelessly did stray, 
I heard a damsel most grievously to complain, 
Saying William has gone & left me to plough the raging main. 
With doleful lamentations & melancholy cries, 
The tears ran down her rosy cheeks all from her chrystal eyes, 
Saying William faithless William you have left me here to mourn, 
You have gone unto America & left me a bird alone 
Tarry jacket and blue trowsers for my love I will put on, 
And I will sail to America as speedily as I can, 
Saying farewell honour'd father likewise my mother too, 
I'm going to America sweet William to pursue. 
It was on the first of March boys a storm did arise 
The raging seas ran mountains high and dismal was the skies 
Saying farewell faithless William your face I ne'r will see 
I must lie in the briny sea my bride's bed for to be 
It was on the third of March the storm did fall low, 
Be of good cheer the captain cries we have not far to go, 
The land of Philadelphia I certainly do see, 
I hope we shall get safe on shore & not lie in the sea 
The mariners cast anchor & now Mary's safe on shore, 
She is gone to seek her William the lad that she adore, 
When she beheld her William all sorrows bid adieu, 
Saying William dearest William I have suffered hard for you. 
Oh Mary dearest Mary you are welcome here on shore, 
There is no other female but you I do adore 
And since you proved so loyal so constant and true 
We will go and get married and all sorrows bid [adieu]. 
Princeton University/Rare Book Division, EX3598.847 
540 
46. ON BOARD OF A MAN-OF-WAR 
On Board of a Man-of-War 
As I roved out one evening in the Springtime of the 
year, 
I overheard a maid complain for the losing of her 
dear; 
She says, I'm sore tormented and troubled in my mind, 
Since my true love has gone to sea, no comfort can 
I find. 
She praises her beloved and says that she will sail with 
him on board a man-of-war. On Tuesday evening they go for 
a walk, and he promises not to leave her behind. The next 
morning she dresses in sailor's clothes and bargains with 
the captain to be his cabin boy for seven years. For seven 
years they sail, and now she has returned "to enjoy her 
darling swain." 
I. SOURCES 
B. Folksong Versions 
S. Henry, no. 556 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
541 
ON BOARD OF A MAN-OF-WAR 
On Board of a Man-of-War. 
As I roved out one evening in the Springtime of the year, 
I overheard a maid complain for the losing of her dear; 
She says, I'm sore tormented and troubled in my mind, 
Since my true love has gone to sea, no comfort can I find. 
My love's a gallant young man, dressed up in sailor's clothes, 
My love's a gallant young man, his cheeks are like the rose; 
He has two bright eyes like diamonds and they shine like any star 
And with my true love I'll sail the seas on board of a man-of-war. 
'Twas on a Tuesday evening when we both went out to walk, 
I really thought my heart would break when he began to talk; 
He clasped his hands around my waist, so loving and so kind, 
Says he, Fair maid be not afraid, for I won't leave you behind. 
Early the next morning this fair maid she arose, 
She dressed herself in sailor's clothes from very top to toes, 
And bargained with the captain her passage to go free, 
For seven years to sail the seas a cabin boy to be. 
We sailed the seas for seven years through stormy wind and cold, 
But she dearly loved the sailor lad more better than land or gold, 
But now she has returned to enjoy her darling swain, 
And she bids adieu for evermore unto the raging main. 
Sam Henry, No. 556. 
542 
47. HENRY AND MARY ANN 
Henry and Mary Ann 
Come all you loyal lovers and listen to a tale I will 
unfold 
Concerning a maiden fair and her young sailor bold. 
As they conversed together, young Mary Ann did say, 
Oh stay at home dearest Henry and do not go to sea, 
And to leave me here brokenhearted your absence to bewail 
For to think that you are tossed about by every wind and 
gele 
So I'll leave my friends and parents and dress just like 
a man 
With you I'll go and face the foe your own dear Mary Ann. 
He objects to her going and declares he will be faithful. 
They exchange declarations of love, and he leaves in the 
morning while she stays behind. At sea he saves his capt-
ain's life. After three years he returns "to Erin's shore," 
receives fifty pounds from the captain, and marries Mary 
Ann. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, I, 80 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
2297A2 (Mich., 1938) 
543 
HENRY AND MARY ANN 
Henry and Mary Ann 
Come listen you loyal lovers to a tale I will unfold, 
Concerning a maiden fair and a young sailor bold--
As the conversed together young Mary Ann did say--
0 stay my dearest Henry and do not go to sea. 
And leave me here broken-hearted your absence to bewail, 
And to think that your are tossed about by every wind and gale. 
So I'll leave my friends and parents and dress just like a man, 
With you i'll go and face the foe your own dear Mary Ann 
0 no my dearest Mary Ann to that I'll not agree, 
For you to leave your parents to go along with me; 
For when on board a man-of-war our love it might divide, 
Perhaps some angry cannonball might stretch you by my side. 
So stay at home my own dear girl and be advised by me 
And rely upon the honour of your faithfull Henry, 
And when the war is over I'll return like a man 
For to fulfil the vows I made to you my Mary Ann. 
Then go my bonnie sailor my heart still beats for thee 
0 may kind heaven spare you life in dangerous you go through, 
So do your duty manfuly let virtue guide your hand 
And return to bless your faithful girl your own dear Mary Ann 
Farewell my dearest Henry since to sea you now must go, 
To plough the raging ocean to face the daring foe. 
0 think upon your Mary Ann when on a foreign shore 
You said there was none but me you ever did adore. 
My love I'm sure I cannot chance be false I nener. 
One kiss my dear before we part,--I'll be true to Mary Ann 
And Henry dearest Henry when you are far away, 
Perhaps in dang of being drowned in the Atlantic Sea. 
Let my memory cheer you in danger you go through, 
Do you for ever think of me and I'll remember you. 
So let neither rank nor fortune you affection ere trepan, 
From the bosom of your faithful girl your own dear Mary Ann. 
Then 'twas early the next morning just by the break of day 
The order came to go on board and quick to sale away. 
The boatswain cries all hands aloft, my lads come sail away 
The Anchor's weighed our gallant ship sails throug the bay. 
Then to a foreign land, far away from home wee steer, 
Some thinks on their sweet-hearts and on their parents dear 
And each unto his prettygirls does toss the owning can. 
Hurrah my boys young Henry cries here's a health to Mary Ann. 
544 
And when upon the ocean where the sea ran mountains high 
Young Henry was the first alof tall danger to defy 
Respected by all his officers beloved by all his crew, 
A smarter sailor never stepped nor wore a jacket blue, 
It was his happy fortune his captain's life to save. 
Upon the coast of Africa. while struggling with the wave; 
He threw himself into the see where both about were tosed 
If he'd delayed one moment more, their lives would have been lost, 
The cruised about on different ports for three long years and more, 
At length the order came on board to sail for Erin's shore 
Until the land that gave them birth with all that they hold dear, 
The danger's past the ship at last until the port does steer, 
The ship is laid in harbour and then the jolly crew, 
The gave three cheers at parting and each other bid adieu, 
The Captain gave him (Henry) L50 the moment he did land 
And that day young Henry married was unto his Mary Ann 
Univ. of Kentucky, Vol. I, p. 80 
545 
HENRY AND MARY ANN 
Henry and Mary Ann 
Come all you loyal lovers a tale I will unfold 
Concerning a young lady fair and a young sailor bold 
As they both conversed together young Henry did say 
Stay home my dear sailor lad, what makes you go away. 
Do not leave me here heartbroken your absence to bewail 
To think that you'd be tossed about by every wind and gale 
And I will leave my parents and I'll dress just like a man 
And with you I'll go and face the foe your own love Mary Ann. 
Oh no, my dearest dear, to that I won't agree, 
That you should leave your parents and go along with me, 
Or perhaps on board a man of war where all dangers to abide 
There some angry cannonball may lay you by my side. 
So stay at home my dearest dear and be advised by me 
Rely upon the honor of your faithful Henry. 
And early the next morning just by the break of day, 
The orders came unto Spithead for us to make haste away. 
The Captain cried out hands on deck, my boys make haste away. 
The anchors weighed, our gallant ship sailed proudly through the 
bay. 
And away out on the ocean far from friends and home did steer. 
Some were thinking of their own true loves and more of their 
parents dear. 
And when he turned to his right hand to halt a falling can 
Hooray, my boys, cried Henry, here's a health to Mary Ann. 
While we cruised about through different parts 
For three long years or more, 
And one day the orders came on board to steer for England's shore. 
Back to that land that gave us birth and those we held most dear. 
(It was) the captain's happy fortune 
The captain's life to save. 
Whilst off the coast of Africay a struggling in the wave. 
He plunged himself into the deep where by the waves were tossed. 
And if the boat delayed one moment more the captain would be lost. 
And now that we are landed and to see that gallant crew, 
Bidding goodbye and parting and bidding each other adieu. 
And the captain gave him 50 pounds the moment he did land, 
And the very next day young Henry got married to Mary Ann. 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song 2297A2 
(J. Green, Beaver Is., Michigan, 1938; Coll., A. Lomax) 
546 
48. BONNY MALLY STEWART 
(Bonny Mally Stewart; Mally Stuart) 
Bonny Mally Stewart 
The cold winter is past and gone, 
And now comes on the spring, 
And I am one of the King's life-guards, 
And I must go fight for my king, my dear, 
And I must go fight for my king. 
She requests to travel along with him dressed "in man's 
attire." He replies that he would not "for ten thousand 
worlds" have her "endangered." He says that he will do for 
her what she will not do for him, "put cuffs of black on 
[his] red clothes, and mourn till the day [he dies]." She 
says that she will do more, for she will "cut [her] hair 
and roll ••• bare, and mourn." He bids farewell saying that 
he is being sent to Germany. She seeks him "for seven lang 
years and mair. 11 In the final stanza the "trooper" gives 
his "bridle-reins a shake" and bids "adieu for evermore." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25276.18, ch. 9 
W. Macnie, Stirling 
25276.19, ch. 20 
(1820-26) 
W. Macnie, Stirling, 1825 
25276.23, ch. 3 
W. Macnie, Stirling, 1825 
25276.4.7 
W. Macnie, Stirling, 1826 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVD,p.v.9, no. 13 
W. Macnie, Stirling, 1825 
KVD,p.v. 10, no. 89 
W. Macnie, Stirling, 1826 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Chapbooks, Glasgow, &c., 1823-29 
W. Macnie, Stirling, 1825 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
PR1181B198, Ballads, Glasgow, &c., 1796-1828 
W. Macnie, Stirling 
PR1187G19r, Garret, Right Choyse &c. 
547 
M. Randall, Stirling 
Ford, Vagabdnd Songs, I, 207 
Roxburghe Ballads, vrrr-2, 784 
Scotish Ballads and Songs, 128 
B. Folksong Versions 
Harvard, 
25241.47F, Child MSS, I, 69 
Greig-Duncan, 264, no. 97 
II. CATALOGUES 
Cleveland Public Library, 184 
548 
(1814-20) 
BONNY MALLY STEWART 
Mally Stuart 
The cold Winter is past and gone, and now comes on the Spring, 
And I am one of the King's Life-guards, and must go fight for my King, 
My Dear! 
I must go to fight for my King. 
Now since to the war you need to go, one thing, pray, grant to me: 
That I dress my self in man's attire, and march along with thee, 
My Dear! 
To go through the world with thee. 
Not for ten thousand pound, my Love, shall you to danger go. 
The rattling drums and shining swords would cause you sorrow and woe, 
My Dear! 
They would cause you sorrow and woe. 
Yet one thing for my Love, I will do, that she cannot do for me; 
I'll wear black cuffs on my red coat sleeve, and mourn for her till 
I die, 
My Dear! 
I will mourn till the day I die. 
Nay, I will do more, for my true Love, than he will do for me; 
I will cut my hair, my snood I will tear, and mourn for him till I die 
My Dear! 
And mourn till the day I die. 
So farewell to my father and mother, farewell and adieu to you! 
And farewell, my bonny Mally Stuart, the cause of all my woe, 
My Dear! 
The cause of all my woe. 
When we leave bonny Stirling town, no more we sleep in tent; 
For by the King we are order'd down, and to Ireland we are sent, 
My Dear! 
To Ireland we are sent. 
So farewell, bonny Stirling town! from the maids we are forced to go; 
And farewell, bonny Mally Stuart, the cause of all my woe, 
My Dear! 
The cause of all my woe. 
She took the bauchels off her feet, the cockups frae her hair, 
And she has tramped a weary gait, for seven lang years and mair, 
My Dear! 
For seven lang years and mair. 
549 
Some while she rade, some while she gaed, and syne she greeted sair; 
But aye the ower-word she had sayd--Shall I see my Laddie mair? 
My Dear! 
Shall I see my bonny Laddie mair? 
The trooper turn'd himself about, all on the Irish shore; 
He has given the bridle-reins a shake, saying, "Adieu, for evermore, 
My Dear! 
Saying, "Adieu for evermore!" 
Roxburghe Ballads, VIII-ii, p. 784 
550 
• 
• 
-
• 
• 
• 
BONNY MALLY STEWART 
All the Months in the Year To which are added •.• &c. 
Stirling, Printed and Sold by M. Randall • 
Bonny Mally Stewart. 
The cold winter is past and gone. 
and now comes on the Spring, 
And I am one of the King's life-guards, 
and I must go fight for my King, my dear, 
and I must go fight for my King. 
Now since to the wars you must go, 
one thing I pray grant me, 
It's I will dress myself in man's attire, 
and I'll travel along with thee, my dear, 
and I'll travel along with thee. 
I would not for ten thousand worlds, 
that my love endanger'd were 
The rattling of drums and shining of swords, 
will cause you great sorrow & wo, my dear, 
will cause you great sorrow and wo. 
I will do the thing for my true love, 
that she will not do for me; 
It's I'll put cuffs of black on my red clothes, 
and mourn till the day I die, my dear, 
and mourn till the day I die. 
I will do more for my true love, 
than she will do for me: 
I will cut my hair and roll me bare, 
and mourn till the day I die, my dear, 
and mourn till the day I die. 
So farewell my mother and father dear, 
I'll bid adieu and farewell; 
My sweet and bonny Mally Stewart, 
you're the cause of all my wo, my dear, 
you're the cause of all my wo • 
551 
When we came into bonny Stirling town; 
as we all lay in camp, 
By the King's orders we were all taken, 
& to Germany we were all sent, my dear, 
and to Germany we were all sent. 
When these wars are past and gone; 
and I returning home: 
And in a short time I will return again, 
and hold you in my arms, my dear, 
and hold you in my arms. 
So farewell bonny Stirling town, 
and the maids therein also; 
And farewell my bonny Mally Stewart, 
you're the cause of all my wo, my dear, 
you're the cause of all my wo. 
She took the slippers off her feet 
and the cockups off her hair; 
And she has taken a long journey, 
for seven lang years and mair, my dear, 
for seven lang years and mair. 
Sometimes she rode sometimes she gade, 
sometimes sat down to mourn; 
And it was ay the o'ercome o' her tale, 
Shall I e er see my bonny laddie come, 
shall I e er see my bonny laddie come. 
The trooper he turned himself about, 
all on the Irish shore; 
He has given the bridle reins a shake, 
saying, adieu for ever more my dear, 
saying, adieu for evermore. 
Garret, A Right Choyse and Merry Book of Garlands, Vol. III 
(UCLA/SC) 
552 
III. NARRATIVE BALLADS 
A. Ballads of Parental Intervention 
in a Courtship (No. 49-70) 
553 
49. MAUDLIN, THE MERCHANT'S 
DAUGHTER~ BRISTOL 
(Maudlin, The Merchant's Daughter of Bristol; 
Maudlin: or, the Merchant's Daughter of Bristol; 
Fair Maudlin, or, the Merchant's Daughter of 
Bristol; The Merchant's Daughter of Bristow; 
Maudlin) 
The Merchants Daughter of Bristow. 
The tune is, the Maidens joy. 
Behold the Touchstone of true Love, 
Maudlin the Merchants daughter of Bristow Town, 
Whose firm affection nothing could move, 
This favor bears the lovely brown. 
Maudlin, the merchant's daughter, and a "gallant youth" love 
each other, but because "he could not. • win the favour of 
her friends," he goes to Italy. Maudlin "in teares spends 
the dolefull night" and decides "to follow her true love." 
Encountering some seamen she persuades a ship's master to 
disguise her as his ship's boy, telling him she is in 
search of her brother. Her parents discover that she is 
missing, and not recognizing her, engage her to look for 
their daughter. Arriving in Italy she goes to Padua where 
she finds her true love in prison, condemned to die for 
his Protestantism. After overhearing his declarations of 
love for "Maudlin," she puts on "maidens weede" and obtains 
service with a judge whom she approaches to set her "bro-
ther" free. The judge says that her "brother" must "turne" 
or die. She sends a mariner disguised as a friar to per-
suade her beloved to renounce his religion. Finding that 
he will not be persuaded, Maudlin decides to die with him. 
A fire is prepared for them, but the judges seeing this 
"faithful friendship," save them and send them back to 
England where the two lovers are wed amid great rejoicing. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
pEB75P4128C, no. 174 
Printed by W. Dicey, Northamption. (1725-50) 
71-217F 
Printed by T. Norris, at the Looking glass 
on London-bridge. And sold by S. Bates in 
Giltspur Street. (1712-20) 
25242.13, I, 13 
554 
25252.18, III, 201 
London: J. Roberts and D. Leach, 1723. 
25276.9.5, XXXII 
Printed for S. Gamidge, in High-Street, 
Worcester. (1758-68) 
New York Public Library/Research Division, 
NACM+, Wood Coll. (facs.), II, 52 
British Museum, 
Huth, 50 (9) 
Printed at London for William Blackwall. 
(c.1606) 
Huth, 50 (8) 
Roxburghe I, c.20.f.7 
Huntington Library, 
150720-758, ch. 17 
Printed for S. Gamidge, in High-Street, 
Worcester. (1758-68) 
Coll. of Old Ballads, 201 (1725) 
Coll. of Seventy-nine Black-letter Ballads,66 
Collie"r"; 104 
Euing Ballads, 334, no. 209 
Printed by and for W.O. and are to be 
sold by the Booksellers of Pye-Corner 
and London-bridge. (1693-95) 
336, no. 210 
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. 
Gilbertson. 
338, no. 211 
Hindley, Old Book 
284 
(1658-64) 
Collector's Miscellany, 
Hindley, Roxburghe Ballads, II, 384 
Roxburghe Ballads, II, 86 
II, 
Printed at London for William Blackwell. 
(1586-1618) 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Trade List of William Thackeray, London, c. 1689," 
in Shepard, John Pitts, opposite p. 20 
"Maudlin," Stationers Register, Sept. 20, 1912, en-
tered to Tho. Norris and Charles Brown. 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c. • Printed and Sold by 
William and Cluer Dicey. • 17 54," Bodleian MS 
258.c.109., reproduced in Thomson, "Development," 
294 
"The Stock Ballads of Samuel Harward," Gloucestershire 
Notes and Queries, III, 227 
555 
British Museum, Vol. 155, p. 805 
Crawford, 178 and 179 
Lamson, "Behold" 
Newton, Catalogue of Old Ballads, 37, no. 121 
Rollins, Analytica-r-Iridex, 147, no. 1692, 1707, 
1708, and 1709 
Stoughton (Rawson), 93, no. 37 
Wing, M1331, 1332, 1333, and 1745 
III. COMMENTS 
Fletcher's Monsieur Thomas includes a reference to 
"Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter" in Act III, Scene 
3. 
556 
MAUDLIN, THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER OF BRISTOL 
The Merchants Daughter of Bristow. 
The tune is, the Maidens joy. 
Behold the Touchstone of true Love, 
Maudlin the Merchants daughter of Bristow Town, 
Whose firm affection nothing could move, 
This favor bears the lovely brown. 
A gallant youth was dwelling by, 
Which many years had born this maiden great good wil 
She loved him so faithfully, 
But all her friends withstood it still, 
The young man now perceiving well, 
He could not get nor win the favour of her friends, 
The force of sorrows to expel!, 
To view strange Countryes he intends, 
And now to take his last farewell, 
Of his true love his fair and constant Maudlin, 
With Musick sweet that did excel!, 
He plaid under her window then, 
Farewell quoth he my own true Love, 
Farewell my dear and chiefest Treasure of my heart, 
Through fortunes spight that false did prove, 
I am inforc'd from thee to part, 
Into the Land of Italy, 
There will I wail and weary out my life in wo, 
Seeing my true Love is kept from me. 
I hold my life a mortal! foe; 
Fair Bristow Town therefore adiew, 
For Padua shall be my habitation now, 
Although my Love doth rest in thee. 
To whom alone my heart I vow. 
With trickling tears thus did he sing, 
With sighs and sobs discending from his heart full sore, 
He said when he his hands did wring, 
Farewell sweet Love for evermore, 
Fair Maudlin from a window high, 
Beholding her true Love with Musick where he stood. 
But not a word she dirst reply, 
Fearing her Parents angry mood. 
In tears she spent that wofull night, 
Wishing her self though naked with her faithful! Friend 
She blames her friends and fortunes spight, 
That wrought her love such luckless end. 
And in her heart she made a vow, 
Clean to forsake her country and her kindred all, 
And for to follow her true love. 
557 
To abide all chance that might befall. 
The night is gone and the day is come. 
And in the morning very early did she rise, 
She gets her down into a lower Room, 
Where sundry Seamen she espyes. 
A gallant Master among them all, 
The Master of a great and goodly ship was he, 
Who there was waiting in the Hall, 
To speak with her Father if it might be, 
She kindly takes him by the hand, 
Good sir said she and would you speak with any here, 
Quoth he fair Maid therefore I do stand, 
Then gentle sir I pray draw neer. 
Into a pleasant parlor by, 
With hand in hand she brings the Seaman all alone, 
Sighing to him most piteously, 
She thus to him did make her moan, 
She falls upon her tender knee, 
Good sir said she now pitty you a womans wo. 
And prove a faithfull friend to me, 
That I to you my grief may show, 
Sith you repose your trust he said, 
In me who am unknown and eke a stranger here. 
Be you assur'd most proper maid, 
Most faithfull still I will appear, 
I have a brother then quoth she, 
Whom as my life I love and favor tenderly. 
In Padua alas is he, 
Full sick God wot and like to dye, 
Full fain I would my brother see. 
But that my Father will not yeeld to let me go, 
Therefore good sir be good to me, 
And unto me this favour show; 
Some ship boyes Garment bring to me, 
That I disguis'd may go unknown, 
And unto Sea Ile go with thee. 
If thus much favour might be shown, 
Fair maid quoth he take here my hand, 
I will fulfill each thing that you desire, 
And set you safe in that same Land. 
And in that place that you require. 
She gave him then a tender kiss, 
And saith to him your servant Master will I be; 
And prove your faithfull friend for this, 
Sweet master then forget not me, 
This done as they had both agreed, 
Soon after that before the break of day, 
He brings her garments then with speed, 
Therein her self she did array, 
558 
And ere her Father did arise, 
She meets her Master as he walked in the hall. 
She did attend on him likewise, 
Untill her Father did him call, 
But ere the Merchant made an end, 
Of all his weighty matters he had then to say, 
His wife came weeping in with speed, 
Saying our Daughters gone away, 
The Merchant then amaz'd in mind, 
Yonder vile wretch intic'd away my child quoth she. 
But I well wot I shall him find 
At padua in Italy 
With that bespake their master brave 
Worshipfull merchant thither goes this pretty youth, 
And any thing that you would crave, 
he will performe and write the truth, 
Sweet youth quoth he if it be so, 
Bear me a leter to the English merchant ther 
and gold on thee I will bestow, 
My daughters welfare I do fear, 
her mother took her by the hand, 
Fair youth quoth she if ere thou dost my daughter see, 
Let me therefore soon understand, 
and there is twenty crowns for thee, 
Thus through the daughters strange disguise; 
The mother knew not when she spake unto her child, 
and after her master stright she hyes, 
Taking her leave with countenance mild, 
Thus to the Sea fair Maudlins gone, 
With her gentle master God send them a merry wind. 
Where we awhile must let them alone, 
Till you the second part do find. 
Welcome sweet Maudlin from the Seas, 
where bitter storms and tempests do arise 
The pleasant banks of Italy 
You may behold with mortall eyes 
Thanks gentle master then said she, 
A faithful friend in sorrow thou hast been, 
If fortune once do smile on me. 
My gentle heart shall soon be seen. 
blesst be the land that feeds my love 
blest be the place whereas his person doth abide 
No triall will I stick to prove 
Whereby my true-love may be tried. 
Now will I walk with joy full heart 
To view the town whereas my darling doth remain 
And seek him out in every part, 
Untill his sight I do obtain. 
And I quoth he will not forsake. 
559 
Sweet Maudlin in her sorrows up and down 
In wealth or wo thy part ile take, 
And bring thee safe to padua town 
And after many weary steps 
In Padua they safe arrived at the last 
For very joy her heart it leaps 
She thinks not on her sorrows past 
Condemn'd to die he was alas 
Except he would from his Religion turn, 
but rather then he would to masse 
In fiery flames he vow'd to burn. 
Now doth sweet Maudlin weep and wail, 
Her joy is turn'd to weeping sorrow grief and care, 
For nothing could her plaints prevail, 
For death alone must be his share. 
She walks under the prison walls 
Where her true love did lie and languish in distresse 
When wofully for food he calls 
When hunger did his heart oppresse. 
he sighs and sobs and makes great moan, 
Farewell sweet love for evermore. 
And all my friends that have me known, 
In bristow town with wealth and store, 
but most of all farewell quoth he 
My own sweet Maudlin whom I left behind. 
For never more thou shalt me see. 
Wo to thy father most unkind, 
how well were I if thou wert here 
With thy fair hands to close these my wretched eies 
My torments easie would appear 
My soul with joy should scale the Skies. 
When Maudlin heard her Lovers Moan, 
here eies with tears her heart with sorrow filled was 
To speak with him no means was known 
Such grievous doom on him did passe. 
Then she put off her lads attire 
her maidens weed upon her back she seemly set 
To the judges house she did inquire. 
And there she did a service get 
She did her duty there so well 
But eke so prudently she did herself behave 
With her in love her master fell, 
His servants favour he doth crave, 
Maudlin quoth he my hearts delight, 
To whom my heart in affection is tied, 
breed not my death through thy despight, 
A faithfull friend thou shalt me find 
0 grant me thy love fair maid quoth he 
560 
And at my hands desire what thou canst devise 
And I will grant it unto thee 
Whereby thy credit may arise. 
I have a brother sir said she 
For his Religion is now condemn'd to dye., 
In loathsome prison he is cast 
Opprest with grief and misery 
Grant me my brothers life she said 
And now to you my loue and liking wil I giv: 
that may not be quoth he fair maid 
Except he turn he cannot live 
an English Fryer there is she said 
Of learning great and passing pure of life 
Let him to my brother be sent 
and he will finish soon the strife. 
Her master granted her request 
The Marriner in Friars weed she did array 
And to her love that lay distrest 
She did a letter soon convey. 
When he had read these gentle lines 
his heart was ravished with present joy 
Where now she is full well he knew 
The Fryer likewise was not coy 
but did declare to him at large 
The enterprize his love for him had taken in hand 
The young man did the Fryar charge 
His love should straight depart the land 
here is no place for her he said, 
But wofull death and danger of her life, 
Professing truth I was betraid, 
And fearfull flames must end the strife. 
For ere I will my faith deny 
and swear myself to folow damned anti-christ 
Ile yield my body forto die. 
To live in heaven with the highest 
0 sir the gentle Frier said 
a wofull match quoth he is amnde 
Where Christ is left to win a wife. 
When she had us'd all means she might 
To save his life and yet all would not be, 
then of the judge she claim'd her right 
to die the death as well as he. 
When no perswasion could prevail 
Nor change her mind in any thing that she had said 
She was with him condemn'd to dye 
and for them both one fire was made. 
Yea arm in arm most joyfully 
these lovers twain unto the fire did go 
The Marriner most faithfully 
5.61 
Was likewise partner of this wo. 
but when the judges understood 
The faithfull friendship did in them remain 
thy sav'd their lives and afterwards 
to England sent them back again 
Now was their sorrow turn'd to joy 
and faithful! lovers have their herts desire 
their pains so well they did imploy 
God granted that they did desire. 
aud when they did to England come 
and in merry bristow arrived at the last 
Great joy there was to all and some 
that heard the dangers they had past 
Her father he was dead Got wot 
and eke her mother was joyful! at her sight 
Their wishes she denied not. 
but wedded them to hearts delight. 
Her gentle master she desired. 
to be her father and at church to give her then 
It was fulfill'd as she requir'd 
Unto the joyes of all good men. 
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Gilbertson. 
Euing Ballads, No. 210, p. 336. 
562 
50. ISLE OF WIGHT 
(Isle of White, A Garland in Three Parts; 
The Outlandish Lady's Love to an English 
Sailor in the Isle of Wight) 
The Isle of White, a Garland. 
To the Tune of, 0 my dearest Dear. 
From the Isle of White I have brought to light, 
A young damsel born of noble blood, 
Drest in man's attire, and she did inquire 
After her true love, 'till understood. 
Now this gallant dame from fair France she came, 
And hath took upon her for to rove, 
For I heard her say, crying night and day, 
0 my father sent away my love. 
He was too severe to my dearest dear, 
Because he belong'd unto the main, 
I have travel'd round to all seaport towns, 
Thinking for to meet my love again. 
When first I beheld my dear English Will, 
I was wounded to the heart I swear. 
Although he was bound, guarded through the town, 
Taken prisoner by our privateer. 
She falls in love with the sailor, writing him a letter 
"with trembling quill." She knows her father would dis-
approve. The sailor returns a letter to her saying that 
he is "a seaman born of mean degree," and her father would 
hang him should they court. After reading his letter, the 
daughter goes to the prison. Her father hears of the court-
ship and reproves her. She says that "tis not riches, but 
the tarry breeches [she intends] to make [her] heart's de-
light." The daughter is sent to her room. Her father, pro-
curing a hanged man's body, tells his daughter that it is 
her sailor, but her waiting maid reveals the truth to her 
telling her that her love has been sent across the sea. 
"Drest in man's attire" she goes in search of him. In 
Newport on the "Isle of White" she finds him, reveals her-
self, and they marry. Returning to France she goes "in 
man's attire" to her father's door. Inquiring about 
herself, she is told by her father that his daughter is 
dead. When her father reveals his remorse, she makes her-
self known to him, and all rejoice "with pipe and drum." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
563 
Harvard, 
25276.2, III, 21 
Belfast. Printed by James Magee, 
M,DCC,LXVIII 
pEB75P4128C, no. 124 
pEB75P4128C, no. 244 
Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office 
in Bow-Church-Yard, London. (17 36-63) 
25242.4, Misc. Coll. BSS, I, 45 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c .•• Printed and Sold by 
William and Gluer Dicey ... 1754," Bodleian MS 
258.c.109, reproduced in Thomson,"Development," 
292 
Harvard, 
25241.44, "Alphabetical Catalogue of Garlands 
Collected by John Bell of Newcastle," p. 12 
564 
ISLE OF WIGHT 
The Outlandish Lady's Love To An 
English Sailor In The Isle Of Wight. 
From the isle of Wight I have brought to light 
A young virgin born of noble blood: 
Dress'd in man's attire, and she did enquire 
After her true love, 'tis understood. 
Now this gallant dame from fair France she came, 
And hath took upon her for to rove: 
And I heard her say, lamenting night and day, 
Cruel father, to separate our love! 
He was too severe to thee, my dearest dear, 
Because that he belonged to the main 
I have travell'd round to each sea-port town, 
Thinking for meet my love again. 
When I first beheld my dear English Will, 
I was woanded to the heart I swear. 
Altho' he was bound, guarded thro' our town, 
Taken prisoner by our privateer. 
When he passed by, on him I cast an eye, 
With a trembling heart I could not stand. 
Then these words I said to our chambermaid, 
Oh! how I could love that Englishman! 
I could find no rest, 'till I had exprest, 
So then I goes to our chambermaid, 
With my trembling quill there I wrote my fill, 
And to him my sorrows did relate. 
The daughter of a knight, Sir, these words doth write, 
Sir, to you a stranger unto me. 
Tho' your person's mean, still it shall be seen, 
That the god Cupid he hath woanded me. 
If my father knew, then we both should rue, 
And in a passion kill us both, I fear. 
But to what is penn'd strait an answer send, 
Here in private to your dearest dear. 
When these lines he read, then these words he said, 
Sure the gods above are not not severe. 
For blessed is the time that I was confin'd, 
And was sent to town a prisoner here. 
I this answer send to the lines you've penn'd, 
Virtuous madam, born of high degree, 
Why should you adore a brisk seaman poor? 
Sure that never, never yet can be. 
565 
You an heiress great born to a vast estate, 
I am a man that's born of mean degree. 
Dear madam, draw your love, by the powers above, 
If your father knew he would hang me. 
When these lines she read, then these words she said, 
Oh, that Cupid ne'er had wounded me! 
To the prison she goes immediately, 
Where she at the door did knocking stand, 
And these words did say, Let me in I pray, 
For to speak unto this Englishman? 
Then the turnkey he takes this fair lady, 
To a chamber where they might meet; 
And the prisoner he came immediately, 
Falling down beneath the lady's feet. 
The lady with her charms, catch'd him in her arms, 
And said, Thou dearest turtle-dove, 
Hero of the sea, come now pity me, 
That am wounded by the god of love. 
Since you declare your mind, I'll not be unkind, 
By the powers above I'll speak it here. 
May I never thrive, nor prosper here alive, 
If that I prove false unto my dear. 
So these lovers part with a constant heart, 
Shedding tears by their faith and troth, 
And the turnkey he wept most bitterly, 
All to see the love between them both. 
PART II. 
The second part I write of this lady bright, 
For the truth I mean thus to unfold: 
Tho' it's full of pain, trouble, grief, and moan, 
Sure the like before was never told. 
When this lady she thought she had been free, 
Then began her anguish, grief, and woe, 
Her father came to hear, that she loved dear 
A young English sailor mean and low. 
Then her father said to her waiting-maid, 
Go and call my daughter to me here. 
For I do declare, and solemnly do swear, 
That I'll part her love and her he'er fear. 
Then this gallant dame to her father came, 
Are you come, dear madam, then said he; 
By my faith and troth I will part you both, 
You shall not disgrace your family. 
We have peers in France can your fame advance, 
Come a-courting to you day and night. 
Father, 'tis not riches, but the leather breeches, 
I intend to make my heart's delight. 
566 
When these words she spoke him she did provoke, 
And in a passion he his rapier drew; 
But her mother she came immediately, 
Or else he would have run her thro'-and-thro'. 
But this was her doom, to be shut in her room, 
Like a prisoner there for to remain. 
And the seaman he was at liberty, 
Unto Old England to return again. 
Then her father he in his cruelty, 
Went and begg'd a hanged man, we hear. 
Then cut off his head, and these words he said, 
Here come now and take your English dear. 
When the lady she saw the dead body, 
Oh! that I had dy'd, my dear, for thee. 
And being in despair, she tore her lovely hair. 
Sure never wretch was so distress'd as me. 
And, as I was told, she kiss'd the body cold, 
It would have griev'd a stony heart to see. 
Then her waiting maid that had her betray'd, 
Cry'd, Pardon, pardon, good lady. 
For I do declare, and solemnly do swear, 
This body is none of your dear love. 
For your father he sent him beyond the sea. 
But where I know not by the powers above. 
Is it true, said she, that you speak to me? 
Yes, madam, as true as I am here. 
Then that very night, this fair lady bright, 
Got out of the chamber window clear. 
Then away she went, being discontent, 
Ever since she has been on the search. 
Dress'd in man's attire, and she did enquire 
For her love that she loved so much. 
Then the lady she cross'd over the sea, 
Where she into fair England came, 
Anst had travell'd round most part of the ground, 
Ever since she from her father came. 
She like a man was drest, and I do protest 
As she travell'd to the Isle of Wight; 
As she walked round about Newport-town, 
There she chanc'd to meet her heart's delight. 
Saying, Dearest dear, I'm glad to meet you here: 
I am the daughter of that noble knight. 
What my love, said he, that bright French lady? 
Yes, quoth she, my love and heart's delight. 
Now, I will relate, they were marry'd strait, 
And so here I do conclude my song. 
And let lovers all, then both great and small, 
Praise her constancy with heart and tongue. 
567 
PART III. 
My dearest dear, said she now we marry'd be, 
Unto fair France we both again will go. 
With all my heart, he cry'd, my only sweet bride, 
To what you crave I will not answer No. 
Then they cross'd the main to fair France again, 
And when they arrived on the shore, 
Dress'd in man's array, then she went away, 
With her true lover to her father's door. 
Then this lady bright knock'd with all her might, 
'Till her father unto the door came; 
Asked who knock'd there, then this lady fair 
In this manner spoke, and said to him: 
Sir, I am one who is come to let you know 
What is become of your daughter dear. 
Young man, her father said, she's dead I'm afraid 
For I have not seen her these two years. 
Sir, your daughter bright, in the Isle of Wight, 
Not two weeks ago I did see. 
And I do declare she is marry'd there, 
Unto that young man you sent from she. 
And in tears one day, I heard her to say, 
If my father comes and finds us here, 
There is no other hope but he with a rope 
Will have us both hanged up I fear. 
If these words be true that proceed from you, 
Heaven did decree it I declare, 
And for joy they live guineas I will give, 
To enjoy them both I now do swear. 
Then this lady she, and her husband he, 
Pitch'd upon their bended knees straitway, 
She said to him, Father, I am your daughter, 
Give to us your blessing, we now pray. 
With that her father gaz'd like a man amaz'd, 
On her, to hear such words as these. 
And as he did her view, from eyes there flew 
Great drops of tears as big as any peas. 
So her father then took her by the hand, 
And embraced her, and thus did cry, 
Since you my blessing crave you shall it have, 
I will own you both until I die. 
Then with free consent in-a-doors they went, 
And for joy his daughter she was come, 
They drowned sorrow quite, and both day and night, 
568 
They rejoiced all with pipe and drum. 
Now to conclude, I may venture for to say, 
These words, and not mistaken be; 
There are but few do prove so constant in love, 
As this young sailor and this French lady. 
Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office in Bow-Church-Yard, London. 
Harvard, PEB 75 P4128 C, No. 244 
569 
51. THE SEAMAN OF DOVER 
(The Seaman of Dover; The Maidstone 
Garland; The Sailor of Dover) 
The Seaman of Dover 
A Seaman of Dover, whose excellent parts 
For wisdom and learning, had conquer'd the hearts 
Of many young damsels of beauty so bright; 
Of him this new ditty in brief I shall write. 
Ruth, "a squire's <laughter',' falls in love with Henry, and 
they plan to marry. A maid reveals the plan to her father 
who confines the daughter to her chamber. The seaman comes 
to her window saying that he is going to Spain. In Spain 
he mourns for Ruth but soon meets a rich Spanish lady, 
marries her, and is clothed in garments "glorious and 
great." Meanwhile, Ruth has been confined "a twelvemonth 
or more" but is finally set free. She dresses in "seaman's 
apparel" and sails to Spain. Walking down the street in 
"Calais" she sees Henry and the Spanish lady. Ruth weeps, 
saying that she will never return to England. Suddenly, 
the Spanish lady dies leaving Henry wealthy. Ruth goes to 
him and reveals herself, and his "sorrows are mingled with 
joy." They return to England where, in "a mariner's suit',' 
Henry goes to Ruth's parents inquiring for her. The parents 
weep and repent their treatment of her. Henry invites them 
to his wedding, not telling them that he is marrying their 
daughter. They attend and recognize Ruth "by a certain 
mole." All rejoice, and "full seven long days then in 
feasting they spent." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, XXXVII, 3 
Sheffield: Printed by John Garnet, in the 
Castle-green Ma---------52 (1752) 
25274.2, XXXVII, 7 
Sheffield: Printed by John Garnet, in the 
Castle-green Ma---------52 (1752) 
25274.2, XXXVII, 25 
Sheffield: Printed by John Garnet, in the 
Castle-green Ma---------52 (1752) 
pEB75P4128C, no. 241 
Printed and Sold in Aldermary Church Yard 
London. 
25242.4, I, 43 
Printed and Sold 
570 
(1763-75) 
in Bow-Church-Yard, London. 
(1736-63) 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts 14 Great st 
Andrew sreet, Seven Dials. (1797-1819) 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts 14 Great st 
Andrew sreet, Seven Dials. (1797-1819) 
Uncat. Misc. BSS 
Printed and Sold in Aldermary Church-Yard, 
London. (1763-75) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Printed and sold by John Evans, 42 Long-lane, 
West-Smithfield, London. (1790-95) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
H90A.544 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, VI, 178 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts 14 Great st 
Andrew sreet, Seven Dials. (1797-1819) 
BS Ballads, VI, 179 
Printed and sold by John Evans, 42 Long-lane, 
West-Smithfield, London. (1790-95) 
Yale, 
Ib58Tdl 
Printed and Sold in Aldermary Church-Yard, 
London. (1763-75) 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Harvard, 
25252.8, 169 
"Elizabeth Williams, Her Book, 1745" 
Thompson, 37 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c ... Printed and Sold by William 
and Cluer Dicey ... 1754," Bodleian MS 258.c.109, 
reproduced in Thomson,"Developnient,"296. 
"The Stock Ballads of Samuel Harward, printer at 
Tewkesbury between 1760 and 1775," Gloucestershire 
Notes and Queries, III, 227 
571 
British Museum, Vol. 150, p. 583 
Halliwell, Catalogue of Proclamations, 49, no. 318 and 
129, no. 935-951 
Harvard, 
25241.44, "Alphabetical Catalogue of Garlands 
Collected by John Bell of Newcastle," 17 and 24 
National Libr~ry of Stotland, Edinburgh, Catalogue of 
Lauriston Castle Chapbooks, 94 and 205 
572 
THE SEAMAN OF DOVER 
The Seaman of Dover. 
A Seaman of Dover, whose excellent parts 
For wisdome and learning, had conquer'd the hearts 
Of many young damsels of beauty so bright; 
him this new ditty in brief I shall write. 
And shew of his turnings and windings of fate, 
His passions and sorrows so many and great 
And how he was blessed with love at last, 
When all the rough storms of troubles was past. 
Now to be brief, I shall tell you the truth, 
A beautiful lady whose name was Ruth, 
A squire's young daughter, near Sandwich in Kent, 
Proves all his heart's treasure, his Joy and content. 
Unknown to her parents in private they meet, 
Where many love lessons they'd often repeat. 
With kisses and many embraces likewise, 
She granted him love, thus gained the prize. 
She said, I consent to be thy sweet bride, 
Whate'er becomes of my fortune she cry'd, 
The frowns of my father I never will fear, 
But freely go thro' the world with my dear. 
A jewel he gave in token of love, 
And vow'd by the sacred powers above, 
To wed the next morning; but they were deceiv'd, 
And all by the means of a treacherous maid. 
She told her parents that they were agreed, 
With that they fell in a passion with speed. 
And said, 'Ere a seaman their daughter should have, 
They had rather follow her corpse to the grave. 
The lady was strait to her chamber confined. 
Here long she continu'd in sorrow of mind: 
And so did her love for the loss of his dear. 
No sorrow was ever so sharp and severe. 
When long he had mourn'd for his love and delight, 
Just under the window he came in the night, 
And sung forth this ditty, My dearest farewel, 
Behold in this nation no longer I dwell, 
I'm going from thence to the kingdom of Spain, 
Because I am willing that you should obtain 
Your freedom once more, for my heart will break 
If longer thou liest confin'd for my sake. 
573 
The words which he utter'd, caused her to weep 
Yet nevertheless she was forced to keep 
Thus silence that minute, that minute for fear, 
Her honour'd father and mother should hear. 
PART II. 
Soon after bold Henry he enter'd on board, 
The heavens a prosperous gale did afford, 
And brought him with speed to the kingdom of Spain, 
There he with a merchant some time did remain. 
Who finding he was both faithful and just, 
Prefer'd him to places of honour and trust, 
He made him as great as his heart could request. 
Yet wanting his Ruth, he with grief was opprest. 
So great was his grief it could not be conceal'd, 
Both honour and riches no pleasure could yield, 
In private he often would weep and lament, 
For Ruth, the fair beautiful lady of Kent. 
Now while he lamented the loss of his dear, 
A lady of Spain did before him appear, 
Deck'd with rich jewels both costly and gay, 
Who earnestly sought for his favour that day. 
Said she, Gentle swain, I am wounded with love, 
And you are the person I honour above, 
The greatest of nobles that ever was born, 
Then pity thy sorrowful tears, he reply'd, 
And wish I were worthy to make thee my bride; 
But lady thy grandeur is greater than mind, 
Therefore I am fearful my heart to resign. 
0 never be doubtful of what will ensue, 
No manner of danger will happen to you, 
At my own disposal I am I declare, 
Receive me with love, or destroy me with care. 
Dear madam, don't fix your affection on me, 
You are fit for some lord of noble degree, 
That is able to keep up your honour and fame, 
I am but a sailor from England I came, 
A man of mean fortune, whose substance is small, 
I have not werewith to maintain you withal; 
Sweet lady, according to honour and state, 
Now this is the truth that I freely relate. 
The lady she lovingly squeezed his hand, 
And said with a smile, blessed be the land: 
That bred such a noble brave seaman as thee, 
I value no honour, thou'rt welcome to me. 
My parents are dead, I have jewels untold, 
Beside in possession a million of gold: 
And thou shalt be a lord of whatever I have 
Grant me but thy love; which I earnestly crave. 
574 
Then turning aside, to himself he replies, 
I am courted with riches and beauty beside, 
This love I may have; but my Ruth is deny'd, 
Wherefore he consented to make her his bride. 
The lady cloathed him glorious and great, 
His noble deportment, both proper and strait, 
So charmed the innocent eyes of his dove, 
And added a second new flame to her love. 
Then marry'd they were without longer delay, 
Now here we will leave them both glorious and gay, 
To speak of fair Ruth, who in sorrow was left, 
At home with her parents of comfort bereft. 
PART III. 
When under the window with an aching heart 
He told his Ruth he soon must depart, 
Her parents they heard and well pleased were, 
But Ruth was afflicted with sorrow and care. 
Now after her lover had quited the shore, 
The kept her confin'd a twelvemonth or more. 
And then they were pleased to set her at large, 
With laying upon her a wonderful charge. 
To fly from a seaman as she would from death; 
She promised she would with a trembling breath; 
Yet nevertheless the truth you shall hear, 
She found out a way to follow her dear. 
Then taken her gold and her silver also, 
In seaman's apparel away she did go: 
And found out a master, with whom she agreed, 
To carry her over the ocean with speed. 
Now when she arriv'd at the kingdom of Spain 
From city to city we travelled amain: 
Enquiring everywhere for her love, 
Who had been gone seven years and above. 
In Calais as she walked along in the street, 
Her love and his lady she happen'd to meet. 
But in such a garb as she never had seen, 
She look'd like an angel or beautiful queen 
With sorrowful tears she turn'd herself aside, 
My jewel is gone, I shall ne'er be his bride. 
But nevertheless, tho' my hopes are in vain, 
I'll never return back to England again. 
But here in this place I will be confin'd, 
It will be a joy and comfort to my mind, 
To see him sometimes, tho' he thinks not of me, 
Since he has a lady of noble degree. 
Now while in the city fair Ruth did reside, 
Of a sudden this beautiful lady she dy'd, 
And tho' he was in the possession of all, 
Yet tears from his eyes in abundance did fall. 
575 
As he was expressing his piteous moan, 
Fair Ruth came to him, and made herself known. 
He started to see her, but seemed not coy, 
Said he, Now my sorrows are mingled with joy. 
The time of mourning he kept in Spain, 
And then he came to Old England again: 
With thousands and thousands, which he did possess, 
Then glorious and gay was fair Ruth in her dress. 
PART IV. 
When over the seas to fair Sandwich he came, 
With Ruth and numbers of persons of fame, 
Then all did appear most splended and gay. 
As if it had been a coronation day. 
Now when they took up their lodgings, behold, 
He stript off his coat of embroaider'd gold. 
And presently borrows a mariner's suit, 
That he with her parents might have some dispute. 
Before they were sensible he was great, 
And when he came and knock'd at the gate, 
He soon saw her father and mother likewise, 
Expressing their sorrow with tears in his eyes. 
To them with obeysance he modestly said, 
Pray where is my jewel, that innocent maid? 
Whose sweet lovely beauty doth thousands excel, 
I fear by your weeping that all is not well. 
No, no, she is gone, she is utterly lost, 
We have not heard of her this twelvemonth past, 
Which makes us distracted with sorrow and care, 
And drowns us in tears at the point of despair. 
I'm grieved to hear these sad tidings he said, 
Alas! honest young man her father then said, 
I heartily wish she'd been wedded to you, 
When we this sorrow had never gone through. 
Sweet Henry, made them this answer again 
I am newly come from the kingdom of Spain, 
From whence I have brought me a beautiful bride, 
And am to be marry'd to-morrow, he cry'd. 
And if you will go to my wedding said he, 
Both you and your lady right welcome shall be, 
They promis'd they would, and accordingly came 
Not thinking to meet with such persons of fame. 
All deck'd in their jewels of rubies and pearls, 
As equal companions of lords and earls. 
Fair Ruth with her love were as gay as the rest 
So they in their marriage were happily blest. 
Now as they return'd from the church to an inn, 
The father and mother of Ruth did begin 
To know their daughter by a certain mole, 
Altho' she was cloathed in garment of gold. 
576 
With transports of joy they flew to the bride, 
0 where hast thou been sweet daughter they cry'd? 
Thy tedious absence hath grieved us sore, 
As fearing, alas! we should see you no more. 
Dear parents, said she, many hazards I run, 
To fetch home my love, and your dutiful son 
Receive him with joy, for 'tis very well known, 
He seeks not your wealth, he's enough of his own. 
Her father reply'd and merrily smil'd, 
He brought home enough as he brought home my child 
A thousands times welcome you are I declare, 
Whose presence disperses both sorrow and care. 
Full seven long days then in feasting they spent 
The bells in the steeples they merrily went, 
And many fair pounds were bestow'd on the poor. 
The like of this wedding was never before. 
Printed and Sold in Aldermary Church-Yard, London 
Yale, Ib58Tdl 
577 
52. THE LOYAL LOVERS GARLAND 
The Loyal Lovers Garland 
You lovers that know what to love doth belong, 
Come draw near, and listen a while to my song, 
What tho' it is strange it is certainly true, 
It will shew what dangers true lovers go thro'. 
A merchant's daughter is courted by "many rich squires" but 
is satisfied with none of them. Going aboard one of her 
father's ships, she falls in love with "a young sailor that 
was standing by." She calls him to her chamber. The young 
man comes, and she accuses him of finding a "diamond" that 
she had lost. When he runs, she flies to him giving him a 
kiss and saying that the diamond is her heart. He protests 
that his "fortune is poor," but she says that none shall 
have her but he. When the sailor must go to sea, he sends 
her a letter which her father intercepts. Flying into a 
rage, the father orders the sailor killed at sea. The ship 
captain, rather than killing him, leaves "Jemmy" stranded 
on an island. When the captain returns to England, he de-
livers a token from Jemmy to the merchant's daughter. "In 
man's attire," she arranges for passage to Virginia. Off 
the coast of Jamaica they stop at the island where Jemmy 
was abandoned. He meets them and reveals himself, and they 
take him to the ship where the merchant's daughter reveals 
herself to him. They return to England, and the daughter, 
still disguised, goes to her father and gives him a letter 
from "his daughter in Jamaica" who is "likely to die." The 
father repents his behavior, and the daughter reveals her-
self to him. The father consents to the wedding of the two 
lovers, and they are married "on the same day." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
pEB75P4128C, no. 148 
Uncat. BSS, III 
Yale, 
Ib58Tdl, Coll. of English BS Ballads 
National Library of Ireland, 
Dublin Song Book 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Harvard, 
25252.8, 63, "Elizabeth Williams, Her Book, 1745" 
578 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c ••• Printed and Sold by William 
and Cluer Dicey ••• 1754," Bodleian MS 258.c.109, 
reproduced in Thomson,"Development,"293 
Harvard, 
25241.44, "Alphabetical Catalogue of Garlands 
Collected by John Bell of Newcastle," 16 
National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, Catalogue 
of Lauriston Castle Chapbooks, 93 
III. COMMENTS 
In Folk Songs from Newfoundland (p. 222) Karpeles 
includes a folksong version of the first section 
of this ballad. This version ends with the marriage 
of the couple after the scene in which the merchant's 
daughter accuses the sailor of stealing her "jewel" 
and then confesses her love. Because this version 
(which is entitled "The Rich Merchant's Daughter") 
does not include the female warrior motif, I have 
not incorporated it into my collection. 
579 
THE LOYAL LOVERS GARLAND 
The Loyal Lovers Garland. 
In Four Parts. 
You lovers that know what to love doth belong. 
Come draw near, and listen a while to my song, 
What tho' it is strange it is certainly true, 
It will shew what dangers true lovers go thro'. 
A noble brave merchant in London did dwell, 
He had a daughter, whose beauty did excel 
All other lasses that liv'd far and near, 
Now of her misfortune you soon shall hear. 
Many rich squires of honour and fame 
A courting unto this lady came; 
But their offers and proffers did prove in vain, 
For none could the least of her favour obtain 
But as it fell out, upon a certain day 
A ship for her father was just come from sea, 
With some young ladies on board she did go, 
The ship and the rich cargo to view. 
Then among some others she cast her eye 
Upon a young sailor that was standing by. 
Young Cupid that moves all with his keen dart, 
Not only tickled, but wounded her heart. 
Her cheeks, which before were like roses red, 
Where on a sudden much heavier then lead; 
With a soul on fire, she came back on shore, 
Being struck with a pain she ne'er felt before. 
To her chamber she goes, and with languishing pain 
She sat herself down, and began to complain; 
Oh! Heaven, said she what a torment is love? 
Without speedy help it may ruin with prove. 
She ask'd of her maid, and she did say, 
Dear Betty, advise me this minute I pray. 
The torment of love is more than I can bear, 
Oh! tell me how I can get clear. 
The maid with blushes to her mistress said, 
Have courage madam, and be not afraid; 
With all you trust me, I will prove true, 
And ever be constant, madam, unto you. 
Then take this letter, and go to my dear, 
And say, there is one must speak to him here, 
Oh! do not delay it, the lady did cry, 
Be quick, let me see him, or else I must die. 
580 
The young man was brought and to her he came. 
At the first sight her heart was in a flame? 
She turned round, and said is he come? 
The sailor answered, Yes, that I am 
She said, Don't you remember such a day, 
That I came on board your ship to see? 
Where I lost a diamond much better then gold, 
And you have found it, as I am told. 
The sailor seemed like one in amaze, 
And she more stedfastly on him did gaze; 
Cries, Madam, I hope you don't mean asa say, 
Then in disconcent he was running away. 
Then she flew to him and gave him a kiss, 
And said I hope you don't take it amiss, 
My heart's the diamond you got from me, 
Then grant me love, or ruin'd I be. 
He said, Great madam my fortune is poor, 
And you have riches, wherefore I implore, 
Don't deride my poverty, madam, said he, 
For mocking is catching, we often do see. 
Cries she, No, dearest, I am in truth. 
And since we are both in the prime of our youth. 
What tho' you are poor, and of mean degree. 
Yet none in the world shall have me but thee. 
PART II. 
In love they remained. At last on a day, 
The wind coming fair, he to sea must away; 
And when they got to the port, we do hear, 
He wrote a letter unto his dear. 
But here's the misfortune, as I understand, 
The letter come unto her father's hand; 
Who reading the same, in a passion grew, 
And in a rage to her chamber he flew. 
He said, Good morrow, what are you there? 
When did you hear from Jemmy your dear; 
He's now at Barbadoes, and fit to come home. 
Then get yourself ready against his return. 
Was there no one fitting your husband to be, 
But you must take such a beggar as he. 
In a violent rage and passion he swore, 
That she should never behold him more. 
A letter he wrote, and away it did send 
Unto Barbados, which did command, 
To drown the sailor in the foaming main. 
And not bring him to Old England again. 
But when the captain the letter receiv'd 
It melted his heart, and much he griev'd, 
The wind being fair, they to sea, set sail, 
And here begins the tragical ditty again, 
581 
In many days sail to an anchor they came. 
By command of the captain, as we understand 
The ship was anchored under the land. 
The captain goes to him with tears in his eyes, 
And told him the story, to his sad surprize. 
As soon as he heard it he fell on his knees, 
Whilst tears down his cheek distilled like peas. 
Dear captain, said he, take not my life away, 
But set me on shore on this island, I pray, 
0 save but my life, noble captain, he cry'd, 
And providence for me, I hope, will provide. 
The captain called the company strait, 
And as they came he thus to him said, 
I have receiv'd five hundred pound. 
Which was sent me this man to drown. 
The money, he said, will do us no good, 
Then stain not your hands in innocent blood; 
So upon this island let's set him with speed, 
And leave him to fortune To this they agreed. 
Then into the boat they immediately got. 
And upon the island this young man was set; 
With tears and hand shaking they bid him good-by 
Then one of the mates he called aside. 
Crying, If you go home, and my jewel see, 
Give her this ring, and tell her from me, 
All this for her sake I can patiently bear 
Then he smote his breast, and tore his hair. 
Then parted in tears, and on board they came 
Leaving the sailor in tears, to complain, 
And came to England, where we must relate 
Concerning the lady, whose sorrow was great. 
Now when this token she receiv'd from his hand, 
And the true matter she did understand, 
She cries, Cruel father, thou worst of men, 
You have ruined me in what you have done. 
PART III. 
Then in man's attire she drest her with speed, 
For her passage she with a captain agreed, 
With a resolution to search the world round 
And they we hear, to Virginia was bound. 
But mark, when many leagues from the shore, 
Where waves did beat and, the billows did roar, 
Against wind and weather a long time they strove, 
At last toward the coast of Jamica they drove. 
For want of fresh water they were like to die; 
But as it happened most fortunately, 
They went with there boats some water to get, 
Into the island where the young man was set. 
582 
This young man was there nine months or more, 
And that afternoon came down to the shore. 
To see for some fish washed up by the tide. 
Where to his great joy this cock boat he spy'd. 
He came running down but before he got there 
The sailors beheld him with a great fear, 
Their boat they got off, and were in amaze, 
And like frighted souls at each other did gaze. 
Then he held up his hat, and fell on his knees, 
And said, Take me up for God's sake, if you please, 
I am a poor sailor, just starved to death; 
Which, when they heard, they began to take breath. 
They put to the boat, and with speed took him in, 
And to their ship strait launched again. 
The captain examin'd how he came there alone, 
And strait the matter he soon did make known. 
PART IV. 
When the lady heard, she made no reply, 
But strait to his arms did immediately fly, 
Cries she, I have found thee whom I do adore, 
None but cruel Death shall part us once more. 
0 what showers of tears between them were shed! 
Quoth she, Art thou living whom I thought dead; 
Cries he, Yes I am, and yet loyal and true. 
My dear, See what I have suffer'd for loving of you 
They strait came to England without delay, 
And arriv'd at Plymouth in the ship straitway. 
Where the next morning, you soon shall hear 
A comical story which I shall declare. 
Drest up like a sailor she, the very next morn, 
With a letter in hand to her father's house came. 
It was wrote in the letter, Dear father, says she, 
I am now in Jamaica, and likely to die. 
I never expect to see you again; 
But I forgive you for what is done: 
Then wishing you well, pray God bless you all 
Then kissing the letter, the tears down did fall. 
Crying, What would I give my child to see? 
Where had you the letter pray young man, tell me? 
She said, Last Candlemas from Jamaica I came, 
From the hand of your child I received the same. 
He said, If you'll give it me under your hand, 
If you can persuade her once more to return. 
And bring her to England, as I have life, 
I'll freely consent to make her thy wife, 
Cries she, If you'll give it me under your hand, 
Or if to your word I thought you would stand. 
He said, Yes, I will, and for your courtesy, 
Here are forty bright guineas for thee. 
583 
She fell on her knees, while tears poured down, 
And said, Honour'd father, to you be it known, 
I am your own, whom you forced away. 
For give me, dear father, as I forgive you. 
The father on his weeping daughter did gaze, 
Not one word could speak, but stood in amaze: 
He said, Dear child, your are welcome to me 
Then about her neck he wept bitterly. 
He said, For joy that in health you are come, 
(And asked pardon for what she had done) 
I freely for give thee, dear daughter, said he, 
And ask what thou wilt it shall be granted thee. 
Dear honoured father the damsel reply'd, 
That very young man, whom at first you deny'd 
Let him be my husband, To which he agreed. 
Then the young sailor was sent for with speed. 
Then they were married on the same day, 
And the father for joy gave the daughter away 
And since thou art loyal and true to thy love, 
Thou a thousand pounds to thy portion shalt have. 
See! they that upon the ocean were toss'd, 
And by the hand of fortune so sorely were cross'd 
Yet to the last moment were loyal and true, 
Such lovers in England there are but few. 
Yale University, Ib58Tdl 
584 
53. THE TRAGICAL BALLAD 
The Tragical Ballad: Or The Lady 
Who Fell in Love with Her Serving-man 
Good people pray attend 
Unto these lines I've penn'd, 
Which to the world I send, 
Therefore draw near; 
A "young lady bright" falls in love with her. servant, "John'.' 
She tells her servant-maid who is also in love with John, 
and the maid, "her heart with mischief bent," reveals the 
courtship to the lady's father who is enraged. The daughter 
is confined, and John is sent to prison and then into the 
army "to fight in Spain." The maid repents her deed and 
goes mad. The lady escapes and, disguised in "man's 
apparel," finds her beloved in Spain, joining him in the 
army. They are drawn into a battle, and she is wounded. 
Dying, she reveals herself to John. He mourns, "pierces 
his body through," and dies "in her arms." When the news 
reaches the father, he resolves to end his days. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
pEB75P4128C, III, no. 154 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Printed and Sold in Aldermary Church-Yard, 
London. (1763-75) 
Huntington Library, 
289720, Coll. of Eighteenth-century English 
BS Ballads 
Yale, 
Folio 254 
II. CATALOGUES 
Halliwell, Cataldgu~ of Proclamations, 271, no.3078 
585 
THE TRAGICAL BALLAD 
The Tragical Ballad: Or 
The Lady Who Fell In Love With Her Serving-Man. 
PART I. 
Good people pray attend, 
Unto these lines I've penn'd, 
Which to the world I send, 
Therefore draw near; 
And hear what I do say. 
Alack-and-a-well-a-day, 
Unto love's sad decay, 
Prov'd most severe. 
There was a servant-man, 
Who lived near the Strand, 
As I do understand, 
He was so fair: 
So the young lady bright, 
Could not rest day nor night, 
He was her soul's delight, 
She lov'd him so dear. 
Now this young lady cry'd, 
I can't be satisfy'd 
I wish I was his bride, 
To cure my smart. 
Young Cupid bend the bow, 
And wound my lover so, 
That in short time he'll know, 
A love-sick heart. 
Why should I thus complain, 
He knoweth not my pain, 
He being my servant-man, 
And I so great. 
Could I unclose my mind, 
Great comfort shall I find, 
But fortune proves unkind, 
Oh! cruel fate. 
Why was I born so high, 
To live in misery? 
Or Cupid's dart to fly 
Into my breast; 
I wish I was as poor, 
As the Man whom I adore, 
Then should I evermore 
Enjoy my dear. 
586 
Then the young lady said 
Why should I be afraid? 
I'll bring my servant-maid 
To tell my mind. 
Betty, Betty, said she, 
Pray come here to me 
You must my council be, 
Then I will prove kind. 
I love our servant-man, 
You know our honest John 
Let me do what I can, 
I can't get free. 
Love has ensnar'd my heart, 
As I do feel the smart. 
Cupid with his keen dart 
Has wounded me. 
Then said the damsel fair, 
Madam, since you declare 
Your mind, I can't forbear 
But let you know. 
I am in the same case, 
I love his charming face, 
My heart within his breast 
Is plac'd also. 
In sorrow discontent, 
Away this damsel went, 
Her heart with mischief bent, 
As you shall find. 
Tho she's my lady fair, 
Her secret I'll declare, 
Or I shall lose my dear, 
In a short time. 
PART II. 
Good people lend an ear, 
I'm sure you'll shed a tear, 
When you this story hear, 
A second part. 
How Cupid bent his bow, 
Wounded three lovers so, 
Great troubles they did know, 
By his keen dart. 
The damsel thus begun, 
And said I am undone: 
I shall distracted run, 
I am afraid. 
587 
Could I draw back my mind, 
From love to be inclin'd, 
Great comfort shall I find, 
In grief she said. 
We leave the damsel here, 
Entangled in love's snare, 
To treat of the young fair 
Lady so bright. 
As she set sighing then 
Came in the servant-man. 
As we do understand, 
That very night. 
Young madam, do forbear, 
Draw me not in a snare, 
If my master should hear, 
We are ruin'd. 
Rather than that should be 
I'd go along with thee 
Either by land or sea, 
Or where you please. 
You are my heart's delight, 
I can travel day and night 
So they consented strait 
To cross the seas. 
Then said the lady bright, 
Tomorrow when 'tis light 
I'll marry my delight 
Then straitway I will go 
Along with thee, my dear 
And man's apparel wear, 
No one can us ensnare, 
Nor can us know 
PART III. 
Observe this part the third, 
The servantmaid she stood, 
And heard their every word. 
Then strait she run. 
Master, master, said she, 
Alas! you'll ruin'd be, 
Your daughter doth agree 
To marry John. 
To morrow is the day, 
As I do hear them say, 
That they would go away, 
And married be. 
She doth him so adore 
Of danger thinks no more 
She quits her native shore 
To cross the sea. 
588 
When she did thus declare, 
He call'd his daughter fair, 
Madam, what are you there? 
Her father cry'd. 
Pray call John also, 
The truth I mean to know, 
And if I find it so, 
I will provide. 
A place you need not fear, 
Both for you and your dear, 
And I will prove severe 
Unto you both. 
Father, your will be done 
He's like to be your son, 
Or else I will have none, 
Upon my troth. 
Daughter since you say so, 
He shall to prison go, 
And I'll confine also 
You to your room. 
Father, father, forbear, 
Do not punish my dear, 
Let me the burden bear, 
Or I'm undone. 
She to her chamber sent 
And he to prison went, 
In grief and discontent, 
There to remain. 
He sent him over to sea, 
A soldier there to be, 
Against the enemy 
To fight in Spain. 
Now said the servant maid, 
Alas! 'Twas I betray'd 
Your love and mine, she said, 
What have I done? 
With that she tore her hair, 
And fell into dispair, 
And as I do declare, 
To Bedlam's gone. 
That very self same night, 
This youthful lady bright, 
In dark and dolesome night 
Got clear away. 
Out of a window high 
She got her liberty. 
589 
Travelling she did come nigh 
Unto the sea. 
And in short time we hear, 
She cross'd the ocean fair 
In man's apparel there 
She met her dear: 
A soldier was he also, 
Yet his love did not know, 
She being his comforter too 
As we do hear. 
In Spain they were not long, 
Before they both were drawn 
Into a party strong, 
To fight the foe. 
The first that wounded were, 
Was this young lady fair, 
Dying she did declare 
Her grief and woe. 
As she was on the ground, 
He suck'd her bloody wound, 
Crying, My dear is gone, 
With her sweet charms: 
Shall I live longer too, 
No, no that ne'er will do, 
Piercing his body thro', 
Dy'd in her arms. 
Now came this news we hear, 
Unto her father dear: 
He stampt and tore his hair, 
Grieving he said, 
Alas! my daughter dear, 
I prov'd to thee severe, 
Now thou art dead I fear, 
So I'll end my days. 
Printed and Sold in Aldermary Church-Yard, London. 
Harvard, Uncatalogued Broadsides, Box IV. 
590 
54. THE BRISTOL BRIDEGROOM 
(The Bristol Bridegroom Or, The Ship Car-
penter's Love to a Merchant's Daughter; 
The Happy Ship Carpenter; The Happy Ship-
carpenter, or, Heroick Damsel; The Ship-
Carpenter's Love to the Merchant's Daughter; 
True Love well rewarded) 
The Ship Carpenter's Love to 
the Merchant's Daughter 
To the Tune of, Fare Well, my Love. 
You loyal lovers far and near, a true relation you shall 
hear, 
Of a young couple who proved to be a pattern of true 
loyalty. 
A Merchant do's in Bristol dwell, as many people know 
full well; 
He has a daughter, a beauty bright, in whom he plac'd 
his heart's delight 
Her father, discovering she loves a ship-carpenter, has the 
man "prest to sea to keep her from his company." The daugh-
ter dresses herself "in seaman's hue" and goes on board with 
him unrecognized. At the storming of "Diepe," he is wounded 
"in his breast," and she, who because of her "pretty fingers 
long and strait" is the "surgeon's-mate," dresses "the woful 
wounded part" and cures him. He looks upon the "surgeon's-
mate" and thinks of his mistress, declaring that i she be 
dead he will "ne'er forsake" the surgeon's-mate. The woman 
reveals herself, and they marry. Returning to England, the 
ship-carpenter goes to the father who repents and mourns 
that "he shall never see" his daughter. She is brought in, 
and the merchant, rejoicing, gives them "all that e'er he 
had." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, VIII, 9 (1791) 
pEB75P4128C, no. 13 
Printed and Sold in Bow Church-Yard, London. 
(1736-63) 
25242.13, II, 164 
Printed and Sold in Bow Church-Yard, London. 
(1736-63) 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts, 14 Great st. 
591 
Andrew Street, 7 Dials. (1797-1819) 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Uncat. BSS, I 
Uncat. BSS, II 
Sold at the Heart and Crown in Cornhill, 
Boston. (T. Fleet, 1731-c.70) 
Uncat. BSS, II 
Uncat, BSS, II 
Printed by Nathaniel Coverly, Jr., Boston. 
(c.1805-20) 
Uncat. BSS, II 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
"Bristol Bridegroom" 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts, 14 Great st. 
Andrew Street, 7 Dials. (1797-1819) 
Coll. of BS Ballads, I, 512 
Sold wholesale and retail by Leonard Deming, 
corner of Merchants Row and Market Square. 
Boston. (1829-31) 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Thomas 112 
Printed by Nathaniel Coverly. 
Uncat. Ballads 
(c.1770-1820) 
Printed and sold at No. 25 High Street, 
Providence. (H. Trumbull, 1826-36) 
Brown University/John Carter Brown Library, 
facs. bD78H252s 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
Harris RB76BR5972 
Printed New Haven 
Cambridge, 
Madden Coll., I, no. 90, p. 83 
New York Historical Society, 
1800 
Printed by Nathaniel Coverly, Jr. (c .1805-20) 
1817 
Printed by Nathaniel Coverly, Jun., 
Milk Street, Boston. (c.1810-20) 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, VI, 174 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts, 14 Great st. 
Andrew Street, 7 Dials. (1797-1819) 
BS Ballads, VI, 175 
Printed and Sold by J. Butler, in High Street, 
592 
Worcester.--Sold also by S. Hazell Bolt Lane, 
Glocester; J. Cooper, Hall Street, Kidder-
minster; and G. Lewis, Broad Street, Worcester 
(c.1750-85) 
Yale, 
Ib58Tdl, Coll. of Ballads 
London; Printed by L How in Petticoat-Lane. 
(c.1790-1805) 
Roxburghe Ballads, VIII-1, 146 
Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office in 
Bow Church-Yard, London. (1736-63) 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c •.. Printed and Sold by William 
and Cluer Dicey ..• 1754," Bodleian MS 258.c.109, 
reproduced in Thomson,'~eveldpmentr 287 
"The Stock Ballads of Samuel Harward, printer at 
Tewkesbury between 1760 and 1775," Gloucestershire 
Notes and Queries, III, 227 
British Museum, Vol. 26, p. 1119 and Vol. 221, p. 498 
Crawford, 1405 
Ford, Broadsides, 3158 and 3374 
Ford, "Isaiah Thomas Collection," 112 
Halliwell, Catalogue of Prdclamations, 163, no. 1344-
1353 
Lamson, "You loyal lovers" 
Ship ton and Mooney, I , 33 7 
Simpson, 296 ("Fare well, my love") 
593 
THE BRISTOL BRIDEGROOM 
The Merchant of Bristol's Daughter, 
and The Lass of the Brow of the Hill. 
Entered According to Order, 1791. 
Merchant's Daughter of Bristol. 
Tune, As I went early in the Spring. 
You loyal lovers far and near, 
A true relation you shall hear, 
Of a young couple that proved to be 
A pattern of great loyalty. 
A merchant did in Bristol dwell, 
As many people knew full well; 
Who had a daughter of beauty bright, 
In whom he plac'd his heart's delight. 
He had no children but only she, 
Her father lov'd her tenderly; 
Many to court her hither came, 
Gallants of worthy birth and fame, 
Yet notwithstanding of their love, 
A young ship carpenter did prove 
To be the master of her heart, 
She often said, we'll never part: 
As long as life and breath remain, 
Thy company I'll not refrain; 
No cursed gold, nor silver bright, 
Shall rob me of my heart's delight. 
Now when her father came to know 
His daughter lov'd the young man so, 
He caus'd him to be prest to sea, 
To keep him from her company. 
Now when this damsel came to hear, 
Without the thoughts of dread or fear, 
She drest herself in seam.n's shew, 
And after him she did pursue. 
594 
Unto the captain she did go, 
And said, Right worthy sir, 'tis so, 
You do want men, I understand; 
I'm free to fight with heart and hand. 
The captain straightway did reply, 
Young man, you're welcome heartily; 
A guinea in her hand he gave 
She passed for a seaman brave 
Soon after this the ship set sail, 
And with a fair and pleasant gale; 
But this ship carpenter her dear, 
Did little think his love so near. 
She then appeared for to be 
A person of no mean degree; 
With pretty fingers, long and straight, 
She soon became the surgeon's mate. 
PART II 
It happened so that this same ship, 
At storming of the town of Diep, 
They lay at anchor something nigh, 
Where cannon bullets they did fly. 
The first man that was wounded there, 
Was this young bold ship-carpenter. 
When drums did beat and trumpets sounds, 
He on the breast recevid a wound. 
Then to the surgion's care was he 
Brought down with speed innnediately: 
Where was the pretty surgeon's mate, 
Did carefully upon him wait. 
Altha' the sight did pierce her heart, 
She did not let him know her smart; 
Then she did use her utmost skill, 
The cure him with a great good will. 
She cur'd him in a little space; 
He often gaz'd upon her face; 
Surgeon, he said, such eyes as thine, 
Did formerly my heart confine. 
595 
If e'er I live to go a-shore, 
And she be dead whom I adore; 
I will your true companion be, 
And ne'er forsake your company. 
If she be dead, this will I do, 
To female sex I'll bid adieu; 
And ne'er will marry for her sake, 
But to the seas myself betake. 
PART III 
The Bristol merchant's daughter now, 
Had to her love prov'd just and true; 
When many storms was over blown, 
She to her love herself made known. 
The season of the year being past, 
The ship was homeward bound at last; 
When to the harbour they did get, 
The seamen all on shore was set. 
But yet of all the whole ship's crew, 
There was not one among them knew, 
That they a woman had so near, 
Until she told it to her dear. 
To whom she did these words unfold, 
Not long ago, said she, ye told 
Me plainly, that such eyes as mine 
Did formerly thy heart confine. 
Then without any more ado, 
Into his arms straightway she flew; 
And said My love, I am thy own, 
This have I done for thee alone. 
His heart possest with joy likewise, 
When as the tears stood in his eyes; 
He said, thou'st shew'd a valiant heart, 
And likewise play'd a lover's part. 
And then without the least delay, 
He deck'd her like a lady gay: 
And so they married were with speed, 
As formerly they had agreed. 
596 
PART IV 
Then to her father's house he went, 
And found him in much discontent, 
He ask'd him for his daughter dear, 
Which pierc'd her father's heart to hear. 
He with a mournful sigh replied, 
Wish she had in her cradle died; 
Then might I seen my daughter's death. 
When she had yielded up her breath. 
But now I shall ne'er see her more, 
My jewel whom I did adore; 
0 most unhappy man was I, 
To part her from your company. 
The young man hearing what he said, 
Reply'd, your daughter is not dead; 
For you within a few hours space, 
Shall truly see your daughter's face. 
He rode as fast as he could fly, 
And brought her home immediately, 
And set her in her father's hall, 
And on his knees he straight did fall. 
Her father was with joy possest, 
His daughter then he kist and blest. 
Thrice welcome home thou are said he, 
Once more my jewel unto me. 
To him the truth he did relate, 
And how she was the surgeon's mate; 
He then did smile and was right glad, 
So that he gave them all he had. 
She was a seaman and surgeon's mate, 
Preserved by the hand of fate; 
She is now made a lawful wife, 
And liveth free from care and strife. 
Young lovers all a pattern take, 
When you a solemn contract make, 
Stand to the same what'er betide, 
As did this faithful loving bride. 
Harvard, 25274.2 Vol. VIII, Ch. 9 
597 
55. THE VALIANT VIRGIN 
The Valiant Virgin; Or, Philip and Mary; 
In a Description of a Young Gentlewoman of Worcestershire 
(a Rich Gentlemans Daughter) being in love with a Farmers 
Son, which her Father despiseing, because he was poore, 
caus'd him to be prest to Sea; And how she Disguised her-
selfe in Man's Apparel and followed him; where in the same 
ship (she being very expert in surgery) was entertain'd as 
Surgeons Mate, and how loving to him (and skillfully to 
others) she behaved herself in her Office; and he having 
got a Shot in the Thigh, how deligent she was to dress him; 
she never discovering herself to him until! they came both 
on Shore: Her Father Dyeing whilst she was at Sea (He 
having no more Children then she) they went into the Coun-
trey to take Possession of her Estate, and to Marry; To the 
admiration of all that were at the Wedding. 
To the Tune of, When the Stormy Winds do blow. 
To every faithful Lover 
that's constant to her dear, 
This Ditty doth discover 
Affections pure and cleare; 
Affections and afflictions too, 
do in this Story move, 
Where Youth, and truth, 
obtain the Crown of Love. 
A rich man has pressed to sea a farmer's son whom his daugh-
ter loves. The daughter, disguising herself "in man's 
aparril," engages as "Surgeon's-Mate" on board her beloved's 
ship. Philip is wounded in the thigh, and "that shot came 
something nigh." Mary, unrecognized, "drest, and kist, the 
woful wounded part." They endure more "fierce fights at 
sea" until the ship returns to be mended. Philip, now in 
love with "the Surgeon's-Mate," likens "him" to his "Mis-
tress" and declares his love. Mary reveals herself to him. 
Returning to "Worc'ster," they hear that her father has 
died, and they marry. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.67PF, II, 195 
Printed for Thomas Passenger at the three 
Bibles on London-bridge. (1664-88 or 1692-95) 
Roxburghe B~ll~ds, VII, 546 
Printed for Thomas Passenger at the three 
Bibles on London-bridge. (1664-88 or 1692-95) 
598 
II. CATALOGUES 
Crawford, 1190 
Lamson, "To every" 
Simpson, 768 
Wing, V43 
III. COMMENTS 
The Constant Lover of Worcestershire and London 
Heiress are derived~rom this ballad. 
Ebsworth (Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 548) says, "We 
believe this ballad was known to Laurence Sterne, 
and suggested to him a certain incident (and comment 
of Corporal Trim) concerning the wound received by 
the immortal Uncle Toby" [in Tristram Shandy]. 
599 
THE VALIANT VIRGIN 
The Valiant Virgin; Or, Phillip And Mary; 
In a Description of a Young Gentlewoman of Worcestershire (a 
Rich Gentlemans Daughter) being in love with a Farmers Son, which 
her Father despiseing, because he was poore, caus'd him to be prest 
to Sea; And how she Disguised herselfe in Man's Apparel and followed 
him; where in the same ship (she being very expert in surgery) 
was entertain'd as Sugeons Mate, and how loving to him (and skill-
fully to others) she behaved herself in her Office; and he having 
got a Shot in the Thigh, how deligent she was to dress him; she 
never discovering herself to him until! they came both on Shore: 
Her Father Dyeing whilst she was at Sea, (He having no more 
Children then she) they went into the Countrey to take Possession 
of her Estate, and to Marry; To the admiration of all that were at 
the Wedding. 
To the Tune of, When the Stormy Winds do blow. 
To every faithful Lover 
that's constant to her dear, 
This Ditty doth discover 
Affections pure and cleare; 
Affections and afflictions too, 
do in this Story move, 
Where Youth, and truth, 
obtain the Crown of Love. 
A Man of mean extraction, 
brought up in Worc'ster-shire, 
Was guided by Affection 
to love a Lady dear, 
Whose eyes did shew like morning dew, 
that doth on Lillies lye; 
Her face, and grace, 
well mixt with Majesty. 
She was the only Heiress 
unto a Gentleman, 
And all her Fathers care is 
to marry her to one, 
Whose welth and with, may fairly fit 
a Lady of such worth; 
But he, that she did Love, 
was poore by birth. 
600 
A farmers son being handsome, 
did catch this Ladies heart 
So fast in hold, no ransome 
can free it from the Dart: 
The gentleman, when he began 
to understand this thing, 
Quoth hee, I'le free, 
my fond daughter in the spring. 
The Spring came, and the Pressing 
was every where begun; 
Fierce fights at Sea this Couple 
did valiantly indure, 
As fast as one did aime to kill, 
the other striv'd to cure; 
The Souldier and the Surgens Mate 
did both imploy their parts, 
That they, each way, 
did win all the seamens hearts. 
The Summer being ended, 
that they could fight no more, 
The ship came to be mended, 
and all men went a shore; 
Stout Philip lov'd the Surgeons Mate 
so much he could not be 
An houre, or more, 
out of his company. 
He often view'd her feature, 
and gaz'd on every part; 
(Quoth Philip) such a Creature 
is Mistress of my heart, 
If she be dead, I'le never wed, 
But be with thee for ever, 
We'l walk, and talk, 
Live, Lye, and Dye together. 
Poore Mary full of passion, 
to hear him prove so kind, 
Orejoy'd with this Relation, 
could not conceale her mind, 
But fondly hangs about his neck, 
her tears did trickle down, 
Says she, I'le be 
still thy true Companion. 
Since providence hath vanquish'd 
the dangers of the Sea, 
I'le never marry whilst I live 
unless it be with thee; 
No womankind, shall ever find 
my heart to be so free, 
601 
If thou wilt vow 
but to be as true to mee. 
E're he could speak, she told him, 
I am thy dearest dear, 
Thy Mary thou hast brought a shore 
and now thou holdst her here, 
This man's attire, I did but hire, 
when first I followed thee; 
Thy Love, I'le prove, 
but no Surgeons Mate am I. 
He flung his arms about her 
he wondred, kist and wept; 
His Mary he did hold so fast, 
as if he would have crept 
Into her soul and body too; 
his eyes in joy did swimm, 
And she, as free, 
was as fully fond of him. 
Her Fathers fears increasing, 
did Press the Farmers Son, 
No money could Redeem him 
thought she, if he must go, 
I'le ne're stay here, 
but I'le be a Seaman too. 
The Second Part, 
The Gentleman did Press him, 
and sent him to the slaughter, 
He thought fit to Press the Man 
and would have prest his daughter; 
His wit prevents all her intents, 
for on her knees he brought her; 
But one, Love gone, 
straight the other follows after. 
This Maid with ingenuity 
had every Surgeons part, 
A Ladies hand, and Eagles eye, 
but yet a Lyons heart; 
She knew all tents, and instruments 
Salves, Oyntments, Oyls and all, 
That they imploy, 
in the fight when Souldiers fall. 
In mans Aparil she did resolve to try her fate, 
And in the Ship where he rid, 
she went as Surgeons Mate; 
Sayes she, my souldier shall not be 
destroy'd for want of Cure, 
I'le Dress, and Bless, 
whatsoever I endure. 
602 
Their names Philip and Mary, 
who then were both at Sea; 
Phil fought like old king Harry, 
but from the Enemy 
Poore Philip had receiv'd a shot, 
through that part of the thigh, 
Did joyn to's groin, 
oh! that shot came something nigh. 
Into the Surgeons Gabbin, 
they did convay him straight, 
Where first of all ye wounded men, 
the pretty Surgens Mate, 
Though in this trim, unknown to him 
did bravely shew her Art, 
She drest, and kist, 
the woful wounded part. 
Which she did most mildly dress, 
and shed her teares upon't; 
He observ'd, but could not guess, 
or find the meaning on't, 
Although he wou'd in tears and blood 
oft times on Mary call, 
And pray, she may 
be there at his funeral. 
They both rid towards Worc'ster, 
to shew how they had sped; 
But upon the Road they heard 
her Father he was dead, 
Two months at least after he prest 
the Farmers son for slaughter; 
In tears, appears 
the sad duty of a Daughter. 
Philip having chear'd her up, 
they rid directly home, 
Where after many a bitter cup 
the Marriage day was come, 
Which they in state did Celebrate 
the Gallants that were there, 
were grave, and brave, 
all the best in Worc'ster-shire. 
Thus may you by this Couple see, 
what from true love doth spring 
When Men love with fidelity 
their Mistress and their king: 
603 
When maids shew men, true love agen 
in spight of fortunes frowns, 
They'l wive, and thrive, 
for such crosses have their crowne. 
Printed for Thomas Passenger at the three Bibles on London-bridge 
With Alowance. 
Harvard, 25242.67PF, Vol. II, BS 195. 
604 
56. THE CONSTANT LOVER OF WORCESTERSHIRE 
(The Constant Lover of Wo~cestershire; The Worcester-
shire Garland; The Valiant Lady or The Brisk Young 
Lively Lad) 
The Constant Lovers of Worcestershire 
A Man of mean Directions, 
Of late in Worcestersire, 
Was guided by Affection, 
To Court a Lady fair. 
Whose eyes shin'd like the Morning Dew, 
Upon a Lilly bright; 
She had Grace in her Face, 
Was pleasing to the sight. 
The lady's gentleman father objects to the courtship and has 
the young "farmer's son" pressed. The daughter vows to go 
with him and "writ a Surgeon's Part." In battle the farm-
er's son receives a wound "in thick part of his Thigh" 
where "it pierc'd something nigh." When he is taken to the 
surgeon's mate, he is reminded of "the Mistress of [his] 
Heart" and vows that "if she be dead" he will stay with the 
surgeon's mate forever. She purchases his discharge, and 
they return to England to "her Father's Gate." Father and 
daughter are reconciled, the lovers are married, and "now 
the Farmer's son, does enjoy his Lady gay." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25276.44, ch. 29 
Licensed and Entered according to Order 
25252.6, G. 32 
Licensed and Entered according to Order 
B. Folksong Versions 
Broadwood, English Traditional, 72 
JFSS, I, 60 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 55 
Harvard, 
25241.44, "Alphabetical Catalogue of Garlands 
Collected by John Bell of Newcastle," 29 
605 
THE CONSTANT LOVER OF WORCESTERSHIRE 
The Worcestershire Garland; 
Compos'd of three excellent New Songs. I. The Constant Lover 
of Worcestershire. II. The Shoolmaster's Advice about choosing 
of a Wife. III. The Downfal of Piracy; being a full and true 
Account of a desperate and bloody Sea-fight between Lieutenant 
Maynard, and that noted Pirate Captain Teach, commonly call'd by 
the Name of Black-Beard; Maynard had fifty men, thirty five 
of which where kill'd and wounded in the Action: Teach had 
twenty one, most of which were kill'd, and the rest carried to 
Virginia, in order to take their Tryal. 
Licenced and Entered according to Order. 
The Constant Lovers of Worcestershire. 
A Man of mean Directions, 
Of late in Worcestershire, 
Was guided by Affection, 
To Court a Lady fair. 
Whose Eyes shin'd like the Morning Dew, 
Upon a Lilly bright; 
She had Grace in her Face, 
Was pleasing to the sight. 
She was an only Heir 
Unto a Gentleman, 
And all her Father's Care, 
Was to match her unto one: 
But the Farmer's son being handsome, 
To gain the Lady's Heart, 
In so far that no Ransome, 
Could ease a Lover's Smart. 
But when her Father came to hear, 
And understand the Thing; 
Then said he, I will free, 
My fine Daughter in the Spring; 
The Spring time being come and gone, 
There did a Press begin; 
And all her Father's Care, 
Was to press the Farmer's Son. 
No Money shall be taken, 
Said she, if it be so, 
For I will never tarry here, 
But along with him will go. 
606 
on the twenty third of April, 
She writ a Surgeon's Part. 
With Bagle and with Instrument, 
To all true loyal Heart. 
With Bagle and with Instrument, 
A Surgeon's Part to try, 
Then said she, I will be 
Where the Cannon Bullets fly: 
On the twenty third of May, 
Then did the Fight begin; 
In the Forefront of the Battle, 
There stood the Farmer's Son. 
Who did a Wound receive, 
in thick part of his Thigh, 
In his Veins near his Reins, 
There it pierc'd something nigh; 
Then to the Surgeon's care, 
He was commanded straight, 
The first that he saw there 
Was the Surgeon's Mate. 
And when that he had seen her, 
And view'd her in every part; 
Then said he, one like thee, 
Once was the Mistress of my Heart; 
If she be dead, I ne're will wed, 
But stay with thee for ever; 
And we will love, like a Dove, 
And we'll live and die together. 
I'll go to thy Connnander, 
If he'll set thee at large 
Ten Guineas I'll surrender, 
To purchase thy Discharge; 
So they went both together, 
And in a little space, 
She met with his Connnander, 
And to him told her Case. 
He pleased with the Gold, 
Soon set the Farmer free; 
And she brought him to England, 
Over the raging Sea; 
And when she came to her Father's Gate, 
And there had knock'd a while, 
Then out came her Father, 
Who said, here stands my Child. 
607 
Which long Time hath been missing, 
I thought to see no more; 
Then said she, I've been seeking, 
For him that you sent o're; 
And since that I have found him, 
And brought him safe to shore, 
I'll spend my Days in England, 
And cross the seas no more. 
Oh Daughter, I am sorry, 
For the thing that I've done; 
Oh Daughter I am willing, 
That he shall be my Son; 
Oh, then they were married, 
without any more delay, 
And now the Farmer's son, 
does enjoy his Lady gay. 
Harvard, 25276.44, Ch. 29. 
608 
THE CONSTANT LOVER OF WORCESTERSHIRE 
The Valiant Lady 
Or The Brisk Young Lively Lad. 
It's of a brisk young lively lad 
Came out of Gloucestershire, 
And all his full intention was 
To court a lady fair. 
Her eyes they shone like morhing dew, 
Her hair was fair to see; 
She was grace, 
In form and face, 
And was fixed in modesty. 
This couple was a-walking, 
They loved each other well; 
And someone heard them talking 
And did her father tell. 
And when her father came to know 
And understand this thing, 
Then said he 
From one like thee 
I'll free my daughter in the spring! 
'Twas in the spring-time of the year 
There was a press begun; 
And all their full intention was 
To press a farmer's son. 
They pressed him, and sent him out 
Far o'er the raging sea, 
Where I'm sure 
He will no more 
Keep my daughter company! 
In man's apparel then she did 
Resolve to try her fate; 
And in the good ship where he rid 
She went as surgeon's mate. 
Says she My soldier shall not be 
Destroyed for want of care; 
I will dress, 
And I will bless, 
Whatsoever I endure! 
609 
The twenty-first of August 
There was a fight begun, 
And foremost in the battle 
They placed the farmer's son. 
He there received a dreadful wound 
That struck him in the thigh, 
Every vein 
Was filled with pain, 
He got wounded dreadfully. 
Into the surgeon's cabin 
They did convey him straight, 
Where, first of all the wounded men, 
The pretty surgeon's mate 
Most tenderly did dress his wound, 
Which bitterly did smart; 
Then said he 
Oh! one like thee 
Once was mistress of my heart! 
She went to the connnander 
And offered very fair: 
Forty or fifty guineas 
Shall buy my love quite clear! 
No money shall be wanted, 
No longer tarry here! 
Since 'tis so 
Come, let's go! 
To old England we will steer! 
She went unto her father's gate 
And stood there for a while; 
Said he The heavens bless you! 
My own and lovely child! 
Cried she since I have found him, 
And brought him safe to shore, 
Our days we'll spend 
In old England, 
Never roam abroad no more! 
Broadwood, English Traditional Songs and Carols, 72 
610 
57. LONDON HEIRESS 
(London Heiress; The Lady Heiress and the 
Farmer's Son; The Dublin Heiress) 
London Heiress 
In London l~ved an Heiress unto a Gentleman, 
And all her Father's care was to wed her to a man; 
The farmer's son being handsome, he gain'd the lady's 
heart 
They were so close engaged no ranson could them part. 
The father objects to the courtship and has the man impress-
ed. The daughter says that she will dress in "man's attire" 
and follow after him. On "the fourth of October" a battle 
begins, and 
He is taken 
maid" waits 
sweetheart. 
"discharge." 
that she has 
and now that 
peace." 
the farmer's son "receiv'd a dreadful wound." 
to "the Surgeon's cabin," and "the Surgion's 
on him. He sees her and is reminded of his 
She gives "fifty guineas" to clear him of his 
They return home, and she tells her father 
been looking for the "lad" whom he "sent o'er," 
she has found him they "will live at home in 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.4, I, 67 
Printed by T. Birt, 10, Great St. Andrew-
Street, (wholesale and retail,) Seven Dials 
London. Country Orders punctually attended 
to. Every description of Printing on re-
sonable terms Children's Books, Battledores, 
Pictures, &c. (1828-29) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Greig-Duncan, 460, no. 173 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
*1282, p. 470 (Cavan, c. 1905) 
Morton Coll., 
T12/UCLA T5-73-42 (Fermanagh, 1968) 
Morton, Come Day, 86 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
611 
LONDON HEIRESS 
London Heiress. 
Printed by T. Birt, 10, Great St. Andrew-Street, (wholesale and 
retail,) Seven Dials London. Country Orders punctually attended 
to. Every description of Printing on resonable terms 
Children's Books, Battledores, Pictures, &c. 
In London lived an Heiress unto a Gentleman, 
And all her Fahter's care was to wed her to a man; 
The farmer's son being handsome, he gan'd the lady's heart 
They were so close engaged no ranson could them part. 
When her Father came to know his daughter's foolish mind 
He said unto his daughter you must be other ways inclin'd 
For spring time is drawing near and press time coming on 
And all her father's care was to press the farmer's son 
But when this lady came to know of her father's cruelty, 
She said unto herself, my love, I soon will follow thee, 
I'll dress myself in man's attire and after him will go, 
I'll boldly plough the ocean where the stormy winds do blow. 
On the Fourth of October, the battle it began, 
In the front of the battle they plac'd the farmer's son, 
Where he receiv'd a dreadful wound, which pierc'd him to the 
heart, 
O! said he, where is she that would ease me of my smart. 
Unto the Surgeon's cabin they had this lad convey'd, 
There was no one to wait on him but the Surgeon's serv[ing] 
maid; 
And when she turned herself around, he view'd her every part, 
O! said he, one like thee, was once mistress of my heart. 
You are very right young man, she said, your freedom I'll 
enlarge, 
Here is fifty guineas for to clear you of your discharge; 
Then she went before the Captain, & fell upon her knees 
She bought her love, and brought him safe over the raging 
seas. 
When she came to her father's gate, she kneeled there awhile 
Then her father said unto her now I see my own dear child 
The child I have been wanting these seven long years & more 
She said, I have been looking for the lad that you sent o'er. 
And now since I have found him, all on my native shore, 
We will live at home in peace and never sunder more. 
Harvard, 25242.4, Vol. I, p. 67 
612 
t 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
58. JACK MONROE (N-7) 
(Jack Monroe; Jack Munro; Jack Munroe; Jack 
the Sailor; The Soldier Maid; The Rich Mer-
chant; The Rich Old Merchant; Merchant in 
London; Jackie Frazier; Johnny Fraizer; The 
London Merchant; The Sailor; Poor Jackey; 
The Merchant's Daughter; Jackie Went A-Sailing; 
Jackie's Gone A-Sailing; Wars of Germany; The 
British Lady; Lily Munro; Jackaro; Jackie-Ro; 
Polly and Jack Monroe; Jack the Soldier) 
Jack Munroe 
In Chatham lived a merchant, 
A very wealthy man; 
He had an only daughter, 
As you shall understand. 
And sing tire cum de dee. 
"Courted by lords and dukes," she would have none but "Jack 
the sailor." Angry at this, her father has Jack pressed 
to sea, "all in the wars of Germany." On board, Jack 
thinks of his love "so closely confined." When she is set 
free, the daughter dresses in "man's array" and persuades 
an officer to "list" her, giving her name as "Jack Munroe." 
In "French Flanders" she fights "in many a battle," and, 
after receiving "an officer's commission," she finds her 
true love among the wounded. She reveals herself, and they 
marry. Back in England they march in Dover, meet her 
father, and urge him to enlist. The father objects to the 
"vagabond" by her side, and her mother steps up and recog-
nizes her. They fight more battles until Jack is killed, 
and the heroine "bids the world adieu." (Some versions 
end with their return to England where she receives honor 
and reward.) 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
T. Haggett, Printer, Durham. (1816-43) 
54-784, II 
54-784, II 
Haggett, Printer. 
25242.85F, 21r 
Angus, Printer. 
25242.17, II, 3 
(1816-43) 
(c.1774-1825) 
Walker, Printer, Durham. (c.1797-1886) 
25276.33, 5 (Widener Library Collection) 
613 
Edinburgh, J. Morren. (1800-20) 
25252.20, I, 13 (widener Library Collection) 
J. Marshall, Newcastle. (1810-31) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, II, 23r 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
BS Ballads 1790~1830, 148 
Angus, Printer. 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Uncat. BSS 
(c.1774-1825) 
Sold Wholesale and Retail by L. Deming, 
No. 1, South Saide of Faneuil Hall, Boston. 
(1829-31) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
HB2640, p. 32 Coll S433.2 
Sold Wholesale and Retail by E. Mills, No. 
6, Market Square, Boston. 
UCLA/Sp. Coll., 
PR1187Gl9r, Right Choyse, II 
Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by J. Marshall, 
in the Old Flesh-Market. (1810-29) 
American Saildr's Songster, 172 
Book of A Thousand Songs, 395 (1843) 
Sci'rigs of-the Ocean, 21 (1860) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Harvard, 
25241.46.5, Tolman Papers (Ohio, 1919) 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
Gordon MSS, NC, 324 (NC, 1925) 
Gordon MSS 1272 
Gordon MSS 3612 (Honduras, 1929) 
Gordon MSS 2306 (Ind., 1926) 
Gordon-Hanford MSS 8 
Gordon-Boyd MSS 86 (NC, 1926) 
649Bl (Va., 1935) 
981B (Fla., 1937) 
1386A2 (Ky., 1937) 
1733A, Bl and 3 (Ind., 1938) 
2847Al and 2 (NC, 1939) 
2863A3 (NC, 1939) 
2927A2/Bl-2 (Tenn., 1939) 
2985B2/2986A (Miss., 1939) 
614 
3102A and B (Miss., 1939) 
3182A2 (Tenn., 1936) 
3354Bl (Calif., 1939) 
3959B2 (Texas, 1940) 
4084Al (Va., 1940) 
5112Bl and 2 (Calif., 1941) 
6677Al (Tenn., 1942) 
7907B (NC, 1947) 
9154A3 (NC, 1947) 
10003A9 (Va., 1950) 
10095A8 (Ky., 1950) 
10095A9 (Ky., 1951) 
10095A10 (Ky., 1951) 
11328A3 (NC, 1957) 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
Western Kentucky Folklore Collection, 
(W.Va., 1924) 
(Ky., 1946) 
(Ky., 1952) 
(Ky•) 
British Broadcasting Corporation Archive of 
Recorded Sound, 
18129 (Scotland) 
22015 (Ireland) 
Anderson, 182 
Argo, RG17 (recording) 
Aslan 7775 (recording) 
Belden, 171 
Brewster, 206 
Brown, II, 99 
Buford 
Chappell, 104 
Cox, Folk Songs, 330 
Creighton, Maritime, 139 and 143 
Duncan, 147 
Eddy, 106 
Folk Legacy, FSA-3 (recording) 
Folktracks FSA 60-076 (recording) 
Garrison, 73 
Haun, 149 
Henry, Folk Songs, 208 
Hummel, 68 
JAF, XII, 249 
JAF, XX, 269 
JAF, XXXV, 377 
JAF, XLVI, 38 and 45 
Korson, Pennsylvania Songs, 53 
Library of Congress/Anglo-American Folk Songs, 
L21 (recording) 
615 
Sharp, English Folk Songs from Southern 
Appalachians, ~85 
Steely, 179 
Dallas, 74 
Greig-Duncan, 452, no. 171 
458, no. 172 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 205 
Rosenberg, 58, no. 681 
Wilgus-Long 
616 
JACK MONROE (N-7) 
Jack Munro. 
In Chatham town there liv'd a worthy merchant-man, 
He had one only daughter as you shall understand; 
This lady she was courted by many a noble knight, 
But there was none but Jack could gain her heart's delight. 
Her waiting maid standing by, unto her father went, 
And told him the secret, his daughter's whole intent; 
He called on his daughter with pride and disdain, 
Saying, good morrow, Mrs. Frazer, this was her true-love's name 
It is the news, my daughter, that I have heard of thee, 
Young Jack he shall be press'd and you confined be; 
It's there is my body you may it then confine, 
But there's none but Jack the sailor can gain this heart of mine. 
It's here is twenty guineas I give unto thee, 
If that you'll press young Jack to the wars of Germany; 
Now Jack he's gone on board he'll never more return, 
I'll wed at your disposal if you will set me free. 
It's now she is at liberty, and drest in man's array, 
Looking for an officer to carry her away; 
Jack he's now on board with a sore and troubled mind, 
For the leaving of his country and darling close confine'd. 
Your name we must have sir before on board you go. 
That you shall have quickly, it is Jack Munro. 
This lady in French Flanders it was her wish'd design. 
Now she's landed over reviewed for to be, 
Standing in the ranks her own true love did see; 
She stepped up to him and thus to him did say, 
By your features you an Englishman should be. 
If that you are willing, whatever may betide, 
I'll be your loyal comrade and lie down by your side; 
The drums did beat and the trumpets did sound, 
Unto the field of battle they were all called along. 
They fought on with valour, they fought courageously, 
Unto two officers and a private by did lie; 
The officers took notice and unto her did say, 
For the valour you have shewn, prefered you shall be. 
A major's commission on you we will bestow, 
The doctor that can cure you, shall be paid by Munro; 
She called for a minister, and bade them step aside, 
And would call them up again when she woo'd her bride. 
617 
It's I'll not be the groom but groom's man I'll be 
For I never will be married, till my Molly I do see; 
She stripped down her snow white breasts, some private mark to 
show 
Saying, Jack won't you marry me, dear Jack don't you know. 
The drums did beat and the trumpets did sound, 
And home to old England they were all called along. 
It's now they're landed over, the people all went to see, 
Saying yonder comes the heroes from the wars of Germany. 
As they walked up the streets, her father she did know, 
Saying, good old merchant will you list with Munro: 
It's out bespoke her mother, I had a daughter gay, 
There's not a feature in your face but resembles she. 
It's now they have got married, and she lies by his side, 
The officers and privates begrudge Jack of his bride; 
When the Queen she heard of this, she laughed heartily, 
Saying, here is fifty guineas I'll give to this lady. 
(108) Walker, Printer, Durham. 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. II, BS 3. 
618 
JACK MONROE (N-7) 
Jack Monroe 
In Chatham lived a merchant, a very wealthy man; 
He had an only daughter, as you shall understand. 
She was courted by lords and dukes, and by many a wealthy knight; 
There was none but Jack the sailor could gain her heart's delight. 
Chorus.--Sing tedere I, &c. &c. 
When her father came to hear of this, an angry man was he, 
Saying, I'll press young Jack the sailor, and confined he shall be. 
Now Jack he is on board, with a sore and troubled mind; 
The leaving of his darling so close confin'd behind. 
Now Jack he is on board, and no more of him you'll see, 
Saying, I'll be at your disposal, if you will set me free. 
She left her father's house, and dress'd in men's array; 
She is waiting for an officer to carry her away. 
We do not list any young men, until their names we know, 
Then so boldly she answered they call me Jack Monroe. 
Now she is on board with sore and troubled mine; 
To land in French Flanders that is the whole design. 
She fought in many a battle, and fought courageously, 
Until two privates and a colonel down by her side did die. 
The major's commission on her I will bestow; 
Push on and make your fotune my darling Jack Monroe. 
The drums they did beat and the trumpets they did sound, 
And for the field of battle they all did march around. 
She walked among the ranks and among the wounded men, 
And there she saw her own true love and thought he had been slain. 
She pulled out her handkerchief, some private marks to show, 
Saying Jack will you marry me?--Jack don't you know? 
The priest he was sent for, the knot for to be tied, 
The officers and colonels begrudged Jack his bride. 
The drums they did beat, and the trumpets they did sound, 
And home for old England they all did march around. 
And when they came to Dover the people they did say, 
Yonder comes the tars of war from the wars of Germany. 
619 
As she was going down the street her own father she did see; 
Saying, merchant, will you list in the wars of Germany? 
I do not like your clothing, I do not like your talk, 
I do not like the vagabond that by your side doth walk. 
Then up steps her mother, and unto her did say, 
You look just like a daughter that from us went away. 
I am not your daughter, nor neither do I know; 
For I am from the Highlands and they call me Jack Monroe. 
She fought in many a battle and fought courageously, 
Until young Jack the sailor down by her side did die. 
She pulled out her broadsword and bid this world adieu; 
Here is an end to Jack the sailor, and likewise to Jack Monroe. 
Sold Wholesale and Retail, by L. Deming, No. 1, South side of 
Faneuil Hall, Boston 
American Antiquarian Society, Uncatalogued Ballads. 
620 
JACK MONROE (N-7) 
Jackie Fraizer 
There was a jolly old farmer, 
In London he did dwell, 
He had but the only daughter, 
The truth to you I'll tell, 
Oh, the truth to you I'll tell. 
She had sweethearts aplenty 
For to court them night and day, 
But one but Jackie Fraizer 
Could ever suit her life, 
Oh, could ever suit her life. 
Her father flew in fashion, 
And to her he did say, 
I'll give ten thousand shillings 
To bear Jackie Fraizer away, 
Oh, to bear Jackie Fraizer away. 
Now Jackie, he's gone sailing 
With trouble on his mind, 
He sailed across the ocean 
To the Wars of Germany, 
Oh, to the wars of Germany. 
She dressed herself in men's clothes, 
And her hair she did combine, 
To roam this country over, 
Her darling boy to find, 
Oh, her darling boy to find. 
Oh, she stepped up the captain, 
And to him she did say, 
Can't you give me a ticket 
To the wars of Germany? 
Oh, to the wars of Germany. 
Well, I know your finger's slender 
And your waist is very small, 
Besides you look too handsome 
To face those cannonballs, 
Oh, to face those cannonballs. 
621 
Well, I know my finger's slender 
And my waist is very small, 
But besides I have the courage 
To face those cannonballs, 
Oh, to face those cannonballs. 
Now she has gone a-sailing 
Across the deep blue sea, 
She sailed across the ocean 
To the wars of Germany, 
Oh, to the wars of Germany. 
She stepped up to the captain, 
And to him she did say, 
Is there 'ere man in the regiment 
By the name of Jackie Fraizer? 
Oh, by the name of Jackie Fraizer? 
Oh, he made her back much answer, 
But quickly did reply, 
I believe there's a man in the regiment 
By the name of Jackie Fraizer, 
Oh, by the name of Jackie Fraizer. 
She stepped out upon the breastworks 
And viewed around and around, 
Oh, she found her darling lover 
Among the deadly wound, 
Oh, all among the deadly wound. 
Oh, she picked him up in her arms 
And ran to some town, 
And sent for some physician 
For to heal and cure his wounds, 
Oh, for to heal and cure his wounds. 
Now, they've gone a-sailing 
Across the deep blue seas, 
And they're both got married, 
Then why not you and me? 
Oh, then why not you and me? 
Western Kentucky Folklore Archive (UCLA Folklore Archive), 
East Calloway County, Kentucky, 1952 
622 
59. NEW .YORK STREETS (N-10) 
(New York Streets; The Constant Lovers: or, 
The Valiant L~dy; The Constant Lovers: or, 
The Valiant Young Lady; The Female Champion; 
Silk Merchant's Daughter; As I Was A-Walking 
Down St. Stephen's Street; The Castaways; 
The Merchant's Daughter Turned Sailor) 
Female Champion 
In Three Parts 
I. The wandring Female in Man's Apparel 
II. Sorrow upon Sorrow, or, Mercy on the 
Brink of Ruin. 
III. The Thing desired obtain'd, after long 
and tedious Travelling by Land, Dangers 
at Sea, and sharp Hunger. 
Young Men and Damsels of this Land, 
Draw near and listen unto me, 
And you shall quickly understand, 
The Scene of this my Tragedy. 
A noble Squire, as we hear, 
He had an only Daughter bright; 
This Female as it will appear, 
She in his Footman took Delight. 
The angry father has his servant sent to sea. The daughter 
dresses herself "in man's cloaths" and follows after him. 
She encounters Indians while "travelling through a Forest" 
and kills one of them. Escaping, she looks back and sees 
a beast tearing the body. Arriving at a seaport town she 
engages herself on a ship. A storm sinks the ship, and 
the survivors set out in a long boat. When their food 
runs out, they cast lots to see who shall be killed to 
feed the rest. The lot falls on the disguised girl. Her 
beloved is chosen to kill her. She reveals herself, and 
her lover offers to be killed in her place. Just as the 
execution is about to take place they hear a gun, and two 
English ships rescue them. They return to England, and the 
captain goes to the girl's parents inquiring for her. The 
parents reply that she must be dead. The captain reports 
that she is alive, and the couple is married the next day. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25276.43.5 
54-784, I 
Carlisle: Printed for the Booksellers. 
623 
54-784, I 
T. Hoggett, Printer, Durham. 
54784, II 
(1816-43) 
Hoggett, Printer, Market Place, Durham. 
(1816-43) 
54-784, II 
C. Croshaw, Printer, Pavement, York. 
(c.1820-55) 
54-784, r:c 
Hexham, M. Barker. (1815-27) 
25242.4, I, 51 
Printed by T. Birt, 10, Great st. Andrew 
Street wholesale and retail, Seven Dials, 
London. (1828-29) 
25242.4, I, 204 
Arthur, Carlisle. (c. 1855) 
25242.17, v, 174 
Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials. 
(1815-35) 
25242.17, x, 134 
Bebbington, Manchester. (1855-70) 
25242.25, 70v · 
Printed at Pitts Wholesale Toy and Marb 
Warhouse, 6, Great st. Andrew Street 7 di 
(1819-44) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, III 
Printed at J. Pitts wholesale Toy Warehouse 
6 Great st Andrew street 7 dials. (1819-44) 
Uncat. BSS, III 
Printed at J. Pitts wholesale Toy Warehouse 
6 Great st Andrew street 7 dials. (1819-44) 
Uncat. BSS, III 
Printed by T. Birt, 10, Great St. Andrew. 
Street wholesale and retail, Seven Dials, 
London. (1828-29) 
New York Public Library/Arents Collection, 
BS Ballads 
Hoggett, Printer, MarketPlace, Durham. 
(1816-43) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
HB2681 
J.G. and H. Hunt, at N.E. corner of Faneuil 
Hall Market, Boston. (c. 1836) 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 Monmouth-court, 7 Dials 
. (1813-35) 
624 
Trinity College Dublin, 
21.bb.52, p. 517 
Evans Mic rop.r int 2 6817 
Sold near Liberty-pole, 1794.[E. Russell] 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
984B (Fla., 1937) 
Ulster Folk Mu~eum, 
Shields Coll. T-1969-5/UCLA T7-73-17 (Derry, 1969) 
Brewster, 239 
Brown, II, 332 
Greenleaf, 57 
Hubbard, 92 
Hudson, 148 
JAF, XXVIII, 160 
Moore, 165 
Morris, 395 
Randolph, I, 222 
Roberts, In the Pine, 97 
Sharp, Engli~Folk Son.gs in. Southern Appalachians, 
I, 381 
Stout, 21 
JFSS, VIII, 186 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., I, 366 
Purslow, Constant Lovers~ 
Greig-Duncan, 473, no. 177 
Ord, 63 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Divison, 
"Forton Prison Papers," II., 23 (published in 
Carey, 69) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Ford, Broadsides, 370, no. 2710 
Laws, 207 
National Library of S~otland, Edinburgh, Catalogue of 
Lauriston Castle Chapbooks, 76 
Rosenberg, 115, no. 1284 
Shipton and Mooney, I, 184 
Wilgus-Long 
625 
NEW YORK STREETS (N-10) 
Female Champion 
In Three Parts. 
I. The wandring Female in Man's Apparel 
II. Sorrow upon Sorrow, or, Mercy on the 
Brink of Ruin. 
III. The Thing desired obtain'd, after long 
and tedious Travelling by Land, Dangers at 
Sea, and sharp Hunger. 
Licensed and Enter'd according to Order. 
The Female Champion. 
The wandering Female in Man's Apparel. 
Young Men and Damsels of this Land, 
Draw near and listen unto me, 
And you shall quickly understand, 
The Scene of this my Tragedy. 
A noble Squire, as we hear, 
He had an only Daughter bright; 
This Female as it will appear, 
She in his Footman took Delight. 
And when her Father this did know, 
He forc'd this young Man to the Sea, 
Which fill'd his Daughter's Heart with Woe, 
And caus'd her to weep bitterly. 
Tho' griev'd at Heart she nothing said 
Unto her aged Parents dear; 
In Man's Cloaths she herself array'd, 
And o'er the Seas her Course did steer. 
When to Fort St. George she came, 
Having a Rapier by her Side; 
We understand this Love-sick Dame, 
When got a shore did there abid. 
And travelling through a Forest there, 
Two Indian Men she chanc'd to meet, 
Who like two Rogues resolved were, 
In a vile Manner her to greet. 
They fought to take away her Life, 
But drawing of her Rapier then, 
This Maiden for to end the Strife, 
By fighting, kill'd one of these Men. 
626 
And as this Ruffian bleeding lay, 
The other trembled for his Part, 
Did like a Coward run away, 
Which pleas'd the Female to the Heart. 
And having thus manag'd her Tack, 
Sheathing her Sword, went off in Haste, 
And as by Chance she looked back, 
Did see a frightful monstrous beast. 
Tearing the dead Man on the Ground, 
Which Sight fill' d her with great Surprize 
In travelling to a Sea-Port Town, 
This Female saw before her Eyes. 
When she came there, she found we hear, 
Two Ships then bound for Jamaica: 
In one of them, as 'twill appear, 
She as a Passenger did go. 
And when to Port Royal she came, 
One Day walking along the Street, 
Her Father's Man, John Banks by Name, 
This Love chanced for to meet. 
Not knowing her, he said, Young Man, 
To an English Ship belonging I do, 
The Thing it is so, we want a Hand, 
If willing now, I will Ship you. 
She smiling made him this Reply, 
Ship-work I do not understand; 
For my Passage, willing am I 
To do my best and helping Hand. 
Unto this Thing they both agreed, 
On board he had this comely Dame; 
Next morning they set Sail with speed, 
And then for England straight they came. 
PART II. 
When they were on the foaming Deep, 
A dreadful Storm did then arise, 
Which made bold Mariners to weep, 
And fill'd them all with great Surprize. 
The Ship unto the Bottom went; 
But having then a large Long-boat, 
Those Mariners who did lament, 
They boarded it and there did float, 
So long 'till all their Food was done, 
Which made the hungry Captain cry, 
To feed the rest, let us kill one, 
And try by Lot which first shall die. 
Unto this Thing they all agreed. 
627 
Who went in Number Twenty-nine; 
In a bag the lots were put with speed, 
And when that they were drawn, we find 
The Lot fell hard upon this Maid, 
Fortune ran that she first must die: 
To see this Lot, like one afraid, 
She sigh'd and wept most bitterly. 
Then Lots were drawen again to see 
Which of them all must take the knife, 
The bloody Butcher for to be, 
To take away the Maiden's Life: 
Fortune run hard we understand, 
For that young Man she loved so, 
He was to take the Knife in Hand, 
To strike the fatal bloody Blow. 
He came to her to take the Stroke, 
Another came the Blood to catch: 
To see the Motion then she spoke, 
And trembling a deep Sigh did fetch. 
Saying, Friend, hold your Hand, I pray, 
As I must die an untimely Death, 
I have a word or two to say, 
Before I do resign my Breath. 
Must I who made an Indian bleed, 
I have so many Danger past, 
Now die a sacrifice to feed 
Poor hungry starving Men at last 
My Parents often begg 1d of me 
To stay at home but I would not; 
Through Disobedience, now I see, 
Destruction is to be my Lot. 
She said to him, Young Man thou art 
The Cause of this my Grief and Pain; 
For loving thee I suffer smart, 
And must among you here be slain; 
Hearing these words he did her view, 
And said. What are you, tell me pray? 
Her answer was, This I will do, 
I am a Maid in Man's Array: 
My Father is such a noble 'Squire, 
And I his only Daughter dear; 
To have me once was thy Desire, 
I speak it now before you here. 
So then she shew'd him half a Ring. 
Which when at home this Couple broke; 
And seeing it, he knew this thing, 
And with a Sigh these Words he spoke: 
By this I know thou art my Love, 
628 
To see thee here much griev'd am I; 
Compassion doth my Heart so move, 
That in thy Room, my Dear, I'll die. 
So then they did each other embrace, 
And while they kiss'd both wept amain; 
The Tears ran down each other's Face, 
Like pearled Dew, or Drops of Rain. 
Sharp Hunger being among them there, 
The starving Captain thus did say, 
Young Man with speed thyself prepare, 
Thy Sweetheart's bloody Debt to pay. 
He said, I'll first to my Prayers go, 
To set my Heart in a good Frame; 
When that is done, the fatal Blow, 
With Expedition strike the same. 
And when he had at Prayers been, 
Cry'd out, As I must lose my Breath, 
Lord Pardon me for all my Sins, 
And fit me now to meet pale Death. 
And when that he these words had spoke, 
Cry'd out, Come Strike, my Work is done; 
And as one went to strike the stroke 
Through Providence they heard a Gun. 
Which made him cry, Pray hold your Hand 
For now Deliverence is near; 
We now are nigh some Ship or Land, 
For I indeed a Gun do hear. 
PART III. 
And as he said, they found it true; 
In what Manner I'll tell you now 
Two English Ships in public View, 
Appear'd upon their Star-board Bow. 
Into those Ships they were convey'd, 
And unto London sail'd in haste; 
This Couple at a Tavern stay'd, 
While that the Captain I protest, 
Unto her aged Father went, 
And said, Where is your Daughter pray? 
This Squire then, who did lament, 
With a deep Sigh these Words did say, 
My Daughter, Sir is surely dead, 
Two Years and more she has been gone; 
To think of her I shake my Head, 
She was a Child, I doated on. 
629 
The Captain said, Be of good Heart, 
Good News of her I can you tell; 
Your Child was near Death for her Part, 
But now she is alive and well. 
Of their sharp Hunger then he told, 
And of this young Man's Love to she 
The Father said, If so, behold! 
His Wife in Marriage she shall be. 
This Couple was sent for with speed, 
When come, her aged Father smil'd; 
For Joy he kiss'd them both indeed, 
And said, Thou art welcome home, dear Child. 
Next Day they were in Marriage join'd, 
And for a Portion, as 'tis told, 
Her Father gave her, being kind, 
Three thousand Pounds in shining Gold. 
Now this Couple, who suffer'd so, 
And was beset with Sorrow round, 
Are both releas'd of all their Woes, 
And are with Joy and Comfort crown'd. 
FINIS. 
Harvard, 25276.43.5 
630 
NEW YORK STREETS (N-10) 
Silk Merchant's Daughter. 
You young men and damsels which to love belong, 
Come, draw near and listen awhile to my song; 
I make no great question, but this new ditty, 
Unto many people well pleasing will be. 
'Tis of a Silk Merchant in London, I write, 
Who had a fair daughter, his own heart's delight; 
She loved a porter, and to prevent the day 
Of marriage, they forced this man away, 
For to serve the King, and when gone from the shore, 
This forsaken damsel was troubled full sore; 
And in man's apparel, in a merchant ship, 
She ventured her life over the raging deep. 
They came to anchor, near some distant land, 
And there went on shore, at some distant strand; 
A sword of the Captain, in her hand she took, 
Away then she wandered her lover to look. 
She was going through a forest long before night, 
A couple of Indians appeared in her sight; 
They were drawing nigh unto her, these two heathen they 
Intended for to take this fair maiden's life away. 
She having a sword herself to defend, 
These blood-thirsty ones who did murder intend; 
Through mercy she conquered one of them she killed, 
And forced the other to quit the field. 
She gaining her conquest, away then she went, 
Advancing her sword, future harm to prevent; 
She had not gone far, but looking back again, 
She saw a wild beast tearing him that was slain. 
She travelled along till some smoke did appear, 
Which made her think that some house she was near; 
And as she thought truly at the even-tide, 
She came to a town that lay by the sea side. 
631 
And in that same harbor, was a ship bound away, 
With an expedition unto Germany; 
In which ship she sail'd, and came to Kingstown, 
There to her great joy, unexpected she found 
This noble young porter, her love, walking the street, 
She made it her business this young man to meet; 
She said, what ship, brother, pray tell unto me, 
He told her, and said, bound to England we be. 
Unto fair England, I'm willing to go, 
But how to get there I do not know; 
I'm no sailor, but if you want a man, 
For my passage over, I'll do what I can. 
The ship it set sail, but I pray now give ear, 
What sudden distraction to them did appear; 
It was out on the ocean to their discontent, 
The ship sprung a leak, and to the bottom went. 
Thirty-seven hands were confin'd in a boat, 
I which a small allowance of room they did float; 
When food was all gone, death appeared so nigh, 
The Captain made lots for to see who first must die. 
They drew up a paper, as the Captain thought fit, 
To draw for life only on them should be writ; 
The number of figures beginning at one, 
Unto thirty-seven which thing was soon done. 
Then they altogether in a small bag were shook, 
To draw for life early, each man his lot took; 
Amongst all the rest this fair maid was the least, 
And she must die first to feed all the rest. 
They drew lots again that they fairly might see, 
Who amongst them all the butcher should be; 
It was a hard lot you will say when you hear, 
She was to be slain by this young man her dear. 
'Twas he, for whose sake she had ventured her life, 
For to do this office he came with a knife; 
Another with a boal her blood for to take, 
At which motion she sighed, and these words she spake. 
632 
Spare me a few moments, I've something to say, 
Unfortunate creature! this unhappy day 
I might have escaped, if I had been wise; 
Oh Lord, have mcercy on me, and hear my sad cries. 
Must I who have travell'd so many score miles, 
Through forests, and mountains, high hedges and stiles; 
Shun'd so many dangers, and at last indeed, 
Die a sacrifice hungry men for to feed? 
Round the neck she catch'd him, and with a kiss said, 
You are going to kill a poor innocent maid; 
A silk merchant's daughter of London, I be, 
See to what I have come for so loving thee. 
Then shewing a ring that between them was broke, 
He knowing the token, then with a sigh spoke, 
Alas fairest damsel, my heart's ready to burst, 
In hopes of your long life, my dear I'll die first. 
With tears running down, they each other embrac'd, 
To satisfy hunger the rest were in haste, 
The captain said, madam, you may him connnand, 
For where is another which will die for his friend. 
They hearing those expressions like men in amaze 
To satisfy hunger they on her did gaze. 
The captain said sir, if thy love's debt thou wilt pay, 
Prepare for your death, for no longer I'll stay. 
Then this young martyr, this lovely young man, 
Said to him that stood by with a knife in his hand, 
Be quick in your motion, my business is done! 
Before the stroke was given they all heard a gun. 
Then this young martyr cried out, hold your hand, 
I did hear a gun, we're near a ship or land; 
Within half an hour a ship did appear, 
Bound to fair Ireland, which did their hearts cheer. 
They were then taken up, and to Dublin conveyed, 
And there together this couple they stay'd; 
They came to London on the gun-powder plot day, 
And there at a tavern this couple did stay. 
633 
Then unto her parents the captain did go, 
Enquired for their daughter, the answer was so; 
Five and twenty months my dear child has been lost, 
I am sure she is dead, and my life it will cost. 
My heart it will break for the loss of my child, 
The captain he answer'd, and said with a smile, 
She has been near death, but is now alive and well, 
No soul's grief on earth can her sorrows excel. 
The captain sent for them, her parents to please, 
And when they came there they both fell on their knees, 
Transported with joy and with tears in their eyes, 
Her father embraced them, the mother likewise. 
Next day at St. Lawrence's Church, as we find, 
In the bands of wedlock this couple were joined; 
Five hundred gold guineas her father laid down, 
Saying, once you have suffered, with joy now are crown'd. 
Sold, wholesale and retail, with Cutlery, Jewelry, &c.&c. by J.G. 
& H. Hunt, at N.E. corner of Faneuil Hall Market, Boston. 
Brown University/John Hay Library, HB2681, p. 72 Coll. S433.2 
634 
NEW YORK STREETS (N-10) 
New York Streets. 
Printed by T. Birt, 10, Great St. Andrew-Street 
wholesale & retail, Seven Dials, London. 
Country Orders punctually attended to. 
As I was walking up New York streets, 
I made it my business my true love to meet, 
What ship, brother sailors, come tell unto me, 
I belong to the Nancy, from England I be. 
I'm in want of a sailor, we have lost one hand, 
I'm in want of a sailor do you understand? 
Altha' I'm no sailor if you want a man, 
For my passage over I'll do what I can. 
0 when this young damsel she did come on board 
Our captain he asked why she wore a sword, 
In the course of my travels I vow and protest, 
I'm in search of a young man who lately has been prest. 
All things were got ready for setting of sail 
The wind blew from the west with a pleasant gale, 
So as we were sailing to our heart's content, 
Our ship sprang a leak to the bottom she went. 
Then twenty four of us got into the boat, 
And on the wide ocean was forced to float, 
Provisions being short, and death being nigh, 
We all did cast lots to see which should die. 
These lots were made out, and in a bag shook 
And every man his own lot he took, 
But the innocent virgin the short lot she drew, 
She was to be killed to feed the whole crew. 
Then hold your hand, butcher, the damsel reply'd, 
It is true that I am a poor innocent maid. 
I'm a rich merchant's daughter from London I be 
You may see what I'm come too, by loving of thee. 
0 then the red colour came into his face. 
With his eyes full of tears & his heart like to break 
With his eyes full of tears, these words he did express 
It is now to preserve you, love, I will die first. 
635 
These lots were turned over as you plainly see, 
To see which of them was this young man's butcher to be, 
Be quick in your motions let the business be done, 
And before the blow was struck they all heard a gun 
Then hold your hand, butcher, the captain did cry, 
Some ship or some harbour I am sure we are nigh, 
So as we were sailing with a sweet and pleasant tide 
We came to a town close by the sea side. 
This couple got married, as I've heard people say, 
The bells they did ring and the music did play, 
And the birds in the valley did echo and sing 
The girls they did dance, and the sailors did sing. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, Uncatalogued Broadside 
Ballads, Box III 
636 
60. FAIR ELLEN 
Fair Ellen 
There waa a rich farmer near Newport, 
Daughter loves lad; fathsr shuts her up and sends the boy 
away. She sees Denis leaving, dresses as a sailor and goes 
with him. They are shipwrecked on a lonely island and die. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
National Library of Ireland, 
IR 6551, Song Books (Waterford, 1836) 
637 
61. THE CONSTANT LOVERS (N-6) 
(The Constant Love~s; The Farmer's Daughter; 
The Lady and ~he Sailor; The Sailor's Happy 
Marriage; The Disguised Sailor; The Landlady 
and the Sailor; ~he Press Gang, or In London 
Fair City; The Rich Merchant; The Rich Merchant's 
Daughter; The Sajlor and the Merchant's Daughter; 
The Sailor and the Rich Merchant's Daughter; 
The Sailor's Lover) 
There was a rich merchant in London did dwell, 
He had one fair daughter, none could her excel, 
Rich lords came to court her, she slighted them all, 
And she fancied a sailor both proper and tall. 
Her father objects to the courtship but agrees to a pri-
vate wedding. On the way to the church a press gang takes 
the sailor prisoner. The daughter dresses up "in a suit 
of men's clothes," goes to the captain and, unrecognized, 
becomes the sailor's bed-mate. Telling him she is an 
"astronomer" (or astrologer) and can read his fortune, she 
reveals herself, and they marry "among the ship's crew." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
New York Public Library/Music Division, 
*MP.US, American Songs and Ballads 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 54 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850) 
Huntington Library, 
259490, Coll. Songs. American 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 54 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c. 1850) 
Providence Public Library/Special Collections, 
Uncat. Irish BSS 
Royal Irish Academy, 
3.C.38 
66.H.17 
Trinity College Dublin, 
21.bb.51, p. 200 
638 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, I, 108 
BS Ba 11 ad s , I _I , 5 7 
Holloway and Black, 239 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
2268A2 (Mich., 1938) 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
*248, p. 150 (Mayo, 1936) 
*279, p. 62 (Limerick, 1936) 
*659, p. 393 (Kerry, 1939) 
*1282, p. 456 (Cavan, c. 1905) 
T57A/UCLA T7-69-53 (Mayo, 1958) 
MacDonagh 
Creighton and Senior, 146 
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 167 
JFSS, VIII, 265 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., II, 73 
Greig, Folk-Song of North-East, CXIV 
Greig-Duncan, 463-,-no. 174; 467, no. 175 
S. Henry, no. 108 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Museum, Vol. 211, p. 126 
Dean-Smith, 9 9 
Laws, 204 
Wilgus-Long 
639 
THE CONSTANT LOVERS (N-6) 
The Sailor's Happy Marriage. 
There was an old merchant of honor and fame, 
He lived in London, I knew not his name, 
He had a young daughter, whose beauty was clear, 
And persons of honour did court her we hear. 
Yet nevertheless she refused them all, 
And lov'd a young sailor that was proper and tall, 
She sent him a letter, her mind to reveal, 
That she was not able her love to conceal. 
He received the letter with great joy and mirth, 
And unto her father he presently went: 
There unto each other revealed their minds, 
With many sweet kisses and compliments fine. 
At last her old father got word by the bye, 
That on the young sailor she had cast an eye; 
Ne'er mind, said her father, I will them soon part. 
I'll seem to prove kind, tho' 'tis not in my heart. 
Next morning as soon as the stairs he came down, 
He call'd on his daughter, they say with a frown; 
Saying beautiful daughter will you speak and embrace, 
And marry a sailor, your friends to disgrace. 
Dear honored father, your pardon I crave, 
There is none in the world but the sailor I'll have; 
For he is my dear, and my only joy, 
And if I don't have him, myself I'll destroy. 
Well beautiful daughter, if it is your lot, 
To marry a sailor I'll hinder you not; 
But pray do it in private, talk nothing of me, 
And when it is over we'll bravely agree. 
But when they were going in at the church door, 
A press-gang did meet them, 'twas near to a score; 
Instead of being married, he was pressed away, 
So nothing was there but a sorrowful day. 
640 
This fair maid she dressed herself up in mens clothes, 
And unto the very same captain she goes; 
She entered herself, and it fell to her lot, 
To lay in her love's arms, tho' he knew not. 
When many a night with each other they had laid 
And many a night with each other had sail'd; 
Ot once I'd a true love, the sailor did say, 
But her cruel parents they press'd me away. 
'Tis very well known I was brought up to my pen, 
Some knowledge and 'strolage, I act now and then, 
Come tell me your age, and I'll throw up your lot, 
And tell whether you'll ever have her or not. 
Then straight in her arms like lightening he flew 
Saying, many a hazard I've ventured for you; 
You might see how the sailor enjoy'd his sweetheart, 
No doubt but the sailor could act his own part. 
Now when the couple return'd to this land, 
Her father was dead as we understand; 
And she was heiress of her father's estate, 
And he was the Lord of riches most great. 
Now this couple was married, as plainly appears, 
Enjoying one another without dread or fears; 
With love out of measure, unto their content, 
And spendeth their lives in sweet innocence. 
Holloway and Black, Later EnglishBroadsideBallads, 239. 
641 
THE CONSTANT LOVERS (N-6) 
The Lady and Sailor. 
There was a rich merchant in London did dwell, 
He had one fair daughter, none could her excel, 
Rich lords came to court her, she slighted them all, 
And she fancied a sailor both proper and tall. 
Till at length it was discovered by some men, 
To see a young sailor of late coming there, 
Hold, hold, said her father, I'll soon them part, 
And if they prove loyal it is not from my heart. 
He called down his daughter with an angry frown 
Can't you get better matches of fame and renown 
Can't you get better matches your arms to embrace, 
Than to wed with a sailor, your friends to disgrace. 
Dear honored father, your pardon I crave, 
There's none in the world but a sailor I'll have; 
That sailor is willing, and the lad I adore. 
And indeed I'll go with him where loud cannons roar. 
Dear daughter, with you I never will part, 
Since it is a young sailor that has gained your heart, 
Come do it in private, and talk not of me, 
And when its all over we'll kindly agree. 
As this couple were walking down by the church door, 
A press gang there met them, about half a score, 
They took him prisoner and marched him away, 
And instead of great mirth it was a sorrowful day. 
The lady dressed up in a suit of men's clothes, 
And straight to the captain she instantly goes, 
She yet as a sailor, it fell to her lot, 
For to be put to lie in her lover's hammock. 
As the lady and sailor were crossing the deep, 
Says the lady to the sailor, you sigh in your sleep. 
I once had a sweetheart, the sailor did say, 
And by her cruel father I was sent away. 
642 
I am an astronomer, reared to my pen, 
Astrologing books I peruse now and then, 
Come tell me your age, I'll cast up your lot, 
To know if you'll gain the fair lady or not. 
He told her his age and the day of his birth, 
She says you were born for great joy and mirth, 
You shall have your sweetheart in spite of them all 
And here is your Ellen just at your call. 
This couple got married among the ship's crew, 
You may say the young lady proved loyal and true. 
They are now safely landed on Columbia's fair shore, 
And a fig for her father, he'll ne'er see her more. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. I, p. 108. 
643 
THE CONSTANT LOVERS (N-6) 
The Farmer's Daughter. 
It is of a rich farmer, I dare not tell his name: 
He had but one daughter, of honor and fame. 
She was courted by many: but she slighted them all, 
For the love of a sailor, who was handsome and tall. 
But when her old father came to find out the joke, 
He sent for his daughter, his daughter to rebuke, 
Saying: Cannot you make a better choice your arms to embrace, 
Than to wed with a sailor, your friends to disgrace? 
0 father, dear father! there is but one thing I crave; 
There is none but a sailor, the sailor boy I will have! 
For, he is my jewel, and I am his joy. 
If I can't have my sailor boy, my life I'll destroy. 
0 daughter, dear daughter! there is but one thing you crave; 
There is none but a sailor you say you will have; 
Now, go and get married, and don't talk of me: 
And when 'tis all over, we will agree. 
The day was appointed this couple to wed, 
And great preparations, to be sure, there was made; 
But, instead of a wedding, it was a sorrowful day: 
For, the press-gang was sent for, and Jack pressed to sea. 
She cut off her hair, and she dressed in man's clothes: 
Then down by yon sea-shore, like a sailor she goes; 
She had not been there long, ere it fell to her lot 
To be cased in her own true Love's vessel, though he knew her not. 
One night, as this young may lay, making his moans, 
Saying: Once, I had a true love, but now I have none; 
Saying: Once, I had a true love, and we did agree; 
But her cruel parents have pressed me to sea. 
Says she: I am a scholar brought up with my pen, 
I tell people's fortunes, a little now and then; 
Come, tell me your age, and I will cast up your lot, 
And see if you will gain your own true love or not. 
644 
He told her his age, from the day of his birth, 
Says she: your misfortunes bring joy and great mirth; 
It lies in my power to bring her to you: 
And into his arms, like lightning, she flew. 
The Captain, standing by and hearing the joke, 
He sent for the priest with his long black cloak: 
This couple was married, amid that ship's crew; 
And, ever since then, they have proved loyal and true. 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 54 Chatham Street, New-York. 
Huntington Library, 259490 
645 
62. THE ROSE OF BRITAIN'S ISLE (N-16) 
The Rose of Britain's Isle 
Tune--Betsey of Dundee. 
Attention give both high and low, 
And qudckly you shall hear, 
Of a vi~tuous damsel true and kind, 
Who dwelt in Leicestershire. 
Her cheeks like the blooming roses were, 
In her face appear'd a smile, 
The maiden's name was lovely Jane, 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. · 
A farmer's daughter, Jane falls in love with her father's 
"'prentice boy." When the father has "young Edward" sent 
"across the main," Jane dresses in "man's attire" and goes 
with him, unrecognized. During a storm Edward goes aloft, 
and Jane looks on "with watery eyes." Near Spain Jane's 
"left arm" is shattered "by a ball," and she reveals herself 
to Edward. When she recovers, they return to England to 
find that her father is "dead and gone." Jane inherits his 
fortune, and she and Edward marry. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.17, II, 9 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, 46, Sadler-
Street, Durham. Sold by J. Livsey, 43, 
Hanover-Street, Shudehill, Manchester. 
(1846-51) 
25242.17, VII, 102 
J. Catnach, Printer, Monmouth-court, 7 
Dials. Sold by E. Butterworth, Manchester. 
(1813-38) 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
11605 
J. Catnach, Printer, Monmouth-court, 7 
Dials. Sold by E. Butterworth, Manchester. 
(1813-38) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
9196 (NS, 1948) 
646 
Morton Coll. T-26/UCLA TS-73-49 (Fermanagh, 1971) 
Greenleaf, 65 
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 173 
Mackenzie,--rTs 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 210 
Wilgus-Long 
647 
THE ROSE OF BRITAIN'S ISLE (N-16) 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. 
Attention give both high and low, 
And quickly you shall hear, 
Of a virtuous damsel true and kind 
Who dwelt in Liecestershire, 
Her cheeks like the blooming roses were, 
In her face appeared a smile, 
The maiden's name was lovely Jane, 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. 
She was a farmer's daughter, 
Her father's only joy, 
And in her teens she fell in love, 
With her father's prentice boy, 
Young Edward lived contented, 
Till her heart he did beguile, 
By all above, he cried--I love 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. 
At length her father came to know, 
This couple courting were, 
He in a passion flew, and dreadfully, 
Did curse and swear, 
Saying will you bring disgrace on me, 
I'll send you many a mile, 
In great disdain across the main, 
From the Rose of Britain's Isle. 
He to a ship young Edward sent 
To sail across the main, 
While Jane at home did weep and mourn, 
Her bosom swell'd with pain. 
She drest herself in man's attire, 
And in a little while, 
On board with Edward soon was shipp'd, 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. 
When scarce one week to sea they'd been, 
A dreadful storm did rise. 
And when young Edward went aloft, 
Jane wept with watery eyes. 
But little did young Edward think, 
When Jane on him did smile 
That by his side did stand his bride 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. 
648 
• 
• 
• 
• 
-
When they arrived near to Spain, 
The enemy gave alarm, 
And by a ball young Jane did fall 
Which shatter'd her left arm. 
The seamen ran to lend their aid 
While Jane in accents mild, 
To Edward said--behold a maid 
The Rose of Britain's Isle. 
Then Edward was with wonder struck, 
And trembled with pain, 
And when that Jane recovered, 
They were sent across the main • 
They soon at England did arrive, 
Which caused them both to smile, 
Then home again went Edward, 
With the Rose of Britain's Isle. 
Her father he was dead and gone, 
But joyful to relate, 
To Jane he all his fortune left, 
Besides a large estate. 
They married were, the bells did ring, 
All the villagers did smile, 
Saying happy live young Edward, 
With the Rose of Britain's Isle. 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, 46, Sadler-Street, Durham. 
Sold by J. Livsey, 43, Hanover-Street, Shudehill, Manchester. 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. II, BS 9. 
649 
63. THE BONNY SAILOR BOY 
(The Bonny Sailor Boy; The Constant Pair, 
or the Pretty 'Prentice Boy) 
The Bonny Sailor Boy 
There was a rich merchant in Liverpool did dwell, 
He had but one daughter, few could her excel, 
With her red rolling cheeks and her rolling black eye, 
She fell deep in love with her bonny sailor boy. 
When the merchant banishes William to "Vandieman's land~ 
his daughter dresses up and enters "as a cabinboy on 
board of the fleet" with her beloved. Her father "would 
give 2,000 pounds" to see her again. When the ship ar-
rives in India, she reveals her identity to the captain who 
brings the couple together. They return to Ireland and 
ask the father's forgiveness. He embraces them, they wed, 
and he gives them "50 bright thousands." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.17, Ir, 92 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, 46, Sadler-
street, Durham. Sold by J. Livesy, 43, 
Hanover-street, Shudehill, Manchester. 
(1846-51) 
25242.17, v, 158 
London: Printed 
Court, 7 Dials. 
by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-
(1813-35) 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Uncat. Misc. BSS 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
Princeton/Rare Book Divison, 
(EX)Pr118lxc6, 1041 
Royal Irish Academy, 
66.H.17 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, I, 17 
650 
BS Ballads, III, 17 
Yale, 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, I, 16 
London: H. Such, Machine Printer and 
Publisher 177, Union Street, Borough, 
S.E. (1869-86) 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, II, 4 
London: H. Such, Machine Printer and 
Publisher 177, Union Street, Borough, 
S.E. (1869-86) 
651 
THE BONNY SAILOR BOY 
The Bonny Sailor Boy. 
There was a rich merchant in Liverpool did dwell, 
He had but one daughter, few could her excel, 
With her red rolling cheeks and her rolling black eye, 
She fell deep in love with her bonny sailor boy. 
When the rich merchant came this for to understand, 
He swore he'd banish William to Vandieman's Land; 
Be that she should herself destroy, 
For to marry young William, that's her bonny sailor boy. 
She's one of the fairest creatures that I did ever see, 
She exceeds all the girls in this country; 
As she tripped through the grove she often did sigh, 
As her heart often beat for her bonny sailor boy. 
She dressed herself up from the head to the feet, 
And entered as a cabinboy on board of the fleet 
As she stood in her cabin she oftentimes did sigh, 
Where there she stood gazing on her bonny sailor boy. 
This day they are smiling on the watery main, 
While her friends broken hearted at home do remain, 
Her father would give two thousand pounds in gold, 
For one sight of his daughter again to behold. 
When they arrived in India land on that very day, 
She went to the captain and thus she did say, 
' I am a fair maid, I will never deny, 
I left my own parents for my bonny sailor boy 
The captain together these lovers did bring, 
The bands they did play and the sailors did sing, 
It's home to old Ireland they returned with great joy, 
On the thoughts of young William, her bonny sailor boy. 
It's when they arrived at her own father's hall, 
It's down on their knees these two lovers did fall, 
Saying, father, dear, you may pierce my heart 
Before you force me from my William to part 
652 
When the father saw those lovers the tears fell like rain, 
He took them in his arms and he did them combine, 
Saying, on to-morrow morning your wedding shall be 
And fifty bright thousands your portion shall be. 
Tis now these true lovers are joined heart and hand, 
With three bright thousands at their command 
So all sailors that's constant and true, 
Don't change old lovers at all for the new. 
National Library of Ireland BSS (UCLA Folklore Archive) 
653 
THE BONNY SAILOR BOY 
The Constant Pair or the Pretty 'Prentice Boy. 
Come all you pretty maidens, and a story I'll tell, 
Of a rich merchant's daughter near Liverpool did dwell, 
Her cheeks like roses, with a pretty black eye, 
She fell deeply in love with her father's 'prentice boy. 
She was the fairest creature that eyes had ever seen, 
And as for her age, it was scarcely fifteen; 
As she walk'd thro' the shady groves, she ofttimes did sigh 
While her heart gently beat for her pretty 'prentice boy. 
0 when e'er her father came to understand, 
Says he I'll banish him to some foreign land; 
You never shal demean yourself, her father did reply, 
To marry with young William your pretty 'prentice boy 
He sent him on board of a ship of great fame, 
She was bound to the Indies--the Caroline by name, 
At parting she tore her hair, and bitterly did cry 
For ever I'll live a single life for my pretty 'prentice boy 
Then she dress'd like a sailor from the head to the foot, 
And engag'd with the captain all in the same fleet; 
She engag'd with the captain, as his own cabin boy, 
And sail'd on the ocean till the Indies drew nigh. 
And as they were ploughing through the watery main, 
Her father, broken-hearted at home did remain; 
Says he, twenty thousand I'd give in bright gold, 
If my own dearest daughter I once more could behold. 
And when she arriv'd on the Indian land, 
She went to the captain and told him out of hand, 
She said I am a pretty maid I never can deny, 
I have left my dear parents, for my dear 'prentice boy, 
Then the captain together this couple did bring, 
The music did play, and the sailors did sing; 
On board the same vessel he put them out of hand, 
And soon they returned to old England. 
And when that they came to her own father's hall, 
On their bended knees this young couple did fall; 
She said, dearest father, stab me to the heart, 
Before from young William you force me to part. 
To see these true lovers, tears ran down his face, 
He took them in his arms and did them embrace 
Saying, to morrow you shall be married by break of day 
And fifty bright thousands your portion shall be. 
654 
• 
• 
• 
• 
.. 
• 
-
So now this young couple are join'd heart in hand, 
With fifty bright thousands all at their command: 
So all young men be constant and true, 
Since no one can tell what true love can do. 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, 46, Sadler-Street, Durham. 
Sold by J. Livesy, 43, Hanover-Street, Shudehill, Manchester 
193 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. II, BS 92 
655 
64. THE FEMALE TAR (II) 
Female Tar. 
Come all you blooming damsels and listen to my song 
And all you pretty maidens that know what to love belong, 
It is of pretty Sally I unto you shall name, 
That for the sake of her true love Jemmy did plow the 
raging main. 
Jemmy and Sally vow to be true to each other and "like a 
pair of turtle doves did agree." Sally's father sends her 
to her "rich old uncle" to be "guarded both night and day." 
He has Jemmy sent to sea. Early in the morning Sally ven-
tures to London "drest in man's apparel" and enters aboard 
Jemmy's ship. They set sail, and in "scarcely days more 
than eight or nine," they encounter and fight a French ship. 
The battle lasts four hours and is "fierce and hot." 
Neither Sally nor Jemmy is hurt. After returning to 
England, Sally makes herself known, and they marry before 
"a number of the ship's company which made a jovial band." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
W. Stephenson, Printer, Gateshead. 
54-784, II 
(1821-38) 
Haggett, Printer, Market-place, Durham. 
(1816-43) 
25242.25, 34v 
J. Pitts, Printer and wholesale Toy Warehouse, 
6 Great St Andrew Street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
25242. 75F, II 
J. Pitts, Printer and wholesale Toy Warehouse, 
6 Great St Andrew Street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
25242.85F, 14v 
Angus, Printer. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, II 
J. Pitts, Printer and wholesale Toy Warehouse, 
6 Great St Andrew Street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
Cambridge, 
Madden Coll., IV, no. 609, p. 286 
National Library of Ireland, 
Songbooks (Belfast, 1807) 
656 
II. CATALOGUES 
Thomson, 35, no. 189 and 190 
657 
FEMALE TAR (II) 
Female Tar. 
J. Pitts, Printer, & Wholesale Toy Warehouse 
6 Great st, Andrew street 7 Dials. 
Come all you blooming damsels & listen to my song 
And all you pretty maidens that know what to love belong, 
It is of pretty Sally I unto you shall name, 
That for the sake of her true love Jemmy did plow the raging 
main, 
Young Jemmy was a Waterman at Wapping he did ply 
Pretty Sally loved him dearly and lived hard by, 
And oft abroad in boat or skift where silver streams did flow, 
This loving pair to take the air together they would go 
Like a pair of turtle doves this young couple did agree 
And vow'd to each other true and constant for to be, 
But at length young Sally's father the same came to know, 
I'll part you both he then did say Jemmy to sea shall go. 
Dear honoured father the young damsel then did say, 
Pray don't be cruel as to force my love away, 
For my Jemmy's my delight we have vow'd ne'er to part, 
Whilst life remain no other swain shall ever gain my heart, 
Then seventeen miles from London Sally was sent away 
Unto a rich old uncle guarded both night and day, 
While her father cruel hearted had Jemmy sent to sea 
In hopes that he might neer return his son in law to be, 
Thus those two lovers were forced to part, 
Which grieved pretty Sally quite sorely the heart, 
But fortune did befriend this pretty maiden fair, 
And soon she did follow her true love that she did love so dear, 
Twas early in the morning just as day light did appear, 
Pretty Sally from her uncle's house got both safe and clear, 
Drest in man's apparel to London came straightway, 
And soon she found that Jemmy's ship in Sheerness lay 
With jacket blue and heart true trowsers so neat and white, 
Pretty Sally ty'd back her hair and follow d her love outright. 
And when she came unto the ship that Jemmy he was in, 
Straightway she enter'd on board and sail'd along with him 
Scarcely days more than eight or nine had they sail'd on the sea, 
When a French ship they spy'd sailing with a stiff breeze 
All hands were called then to pursue the enemy, 
No sooner we came up with them but a shot we let fly 
Four hours and some minutes these two ships did engage 
At length their colours down did fall and yield to Britons brave, 
But altho' the battle was so fierce and hot, 
Pretty sally well escap'd the fire and shot, 
658 
Our ship she did return with her prize to England's shore. 
Young sally she made herself known to Jemmy she ador'd, 
While Jemmy gaz'd upon her he unto her did say, 
Now I'll make you my lawful bride without any more delay. 
Then these two loyal lovers to church went hand in hand, 
And a number of the ship's company which made a jovial band 
The first lieutenant also who gave the bride away, 
While bells in steeples they did ring and music sweet did play, 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, Uncat. BSS, Box II. 
659 
65. POLLY OLIVER (N-14) 
(Polly Oliver; Polly Oliver's Rambles; The 
Female Soldier; The Maids Resolution to 
Follow her Love; In Dublin's Fair City Pretty 
Polly did Dwell; Lovely Annie; Pretty Polly; 
Pretty Polly Oliver; There was a Fair Damsel) 
Polly Oliver's Rambles 
One night as Polly Oliver lay musing on her bed, 
A comical fancy came into her head, 
Neither father or mother shall make me false prove, 
I'll list for a soldier and follow my love. 
Putting on "coat and breeches," "pistols and sword", Polly 
rides "to fair London town," where she dismounts "at the 
sign of the Crown." Her love enters, and she gives him a 
letter from his "true love, Polly Oliver." Opening the 
letter, he finds "a guinea" for him to "drink her health 
round." When Polly calls "for a candle to light her to 
bed," her love offers his bed. She replies that "to lie 
with a captain is a dangerous thing." The next morning 
Polly rises and puts on her own clothes, revealing herself 
to her captain. He laughs "at the fun," and they marry. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, IV, 34 
54-784, I 
(c. 1763) 
Fordyce, Printer, 48 Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48 Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
25242.27, 127 
Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton street. 
(c.1855) 
25242.27, 265 
London:--Printed and Published by H. Such, 
177 (late 123) Union-street, Boro' SE and 
Sold by W. Watts at 83 White Cross-st., 
St. Luke's. (c.1869) 
25242.75F, II 
Pitts, Printer, Wholesale Toy and Marble ware-
house Great st. Andrew street, 7 Dials. 
(1797-1844) 
25242. 62, 53r 
660 
Pitts, Printer, Wholesale Toy and Marble ware-
house Great st. Andrew street, 7 Dials. 
(1797-1844) 
25243.lOPF 
Pratt, Printer, 82 Digbeth, Birmingham. 
(c.1849-56) 
25243.lOPF 
25242.17, VII, 150 
25242.17, X, 16 
Bebbington, Printer, 26 Goulden-street, 
Oldham-road Manchester; sold by Beaumont, 
176 York-street, Leeds. (c. 1855) 
25242.17, XIII, 63 
London--Printed and Published by H. Such, 
177, Union Street, Boro'--SE (1869-86) 
25242.74, Bluebound book, 45 
Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton street, 
Manchester. (c.1855) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, I, 2or 
[Pitts] Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble ware 
house Great st. Andrew street, 7 Dials. 
(1797-1844) 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
[Pitts] Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble ware 
house Great st. Andrew street, 7 Dials. 
(1797-1844) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
RB 16449 
Printed and Sold at No. 25, High Street, 
Providence. (H. Trumbull, 1826-36) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex3598.321, 2 
Pitts, Printer, Wholesale roy and Marble ware-
house Great st. Andrew street, 7 Dials. 
(1797-1844) 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
l/605 
11605 
London.--H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 
177, Union-street, Borough.--SE (1869-86) 
1/605 
London.--H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 
177, Union-street, Borough.--SE (1869-86) 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, V, 13 
661 
• 
• 
• 
• 
.. 
-
John Whiting, Printer, 134 Moor Street 
Birmingham. (1833-35) 
BS Ballads, V, 64 
Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble 
Warehouse, 6, Great st. Andrew street, 
Seven Dials. (1819-44) 
American Songster (Cozans), 81 
Holloway and Black, 174 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 739 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
Gordon MSS 1801 (Quebec, 1926) 
1445 (Ky., 1937) 
3747Bl (Vt., 1939) 
4386B3-4387Al (Gloucestershire, 1908) 
8380Bl (Wis., 1946) 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
Western Kentucky Collection 
(Ky., 1959) 
(Ky., 1960) 
UCLA T7-65-30 (Ark., 1965) 
Belden, 183 
Brown, 312 
Gardner and Chickering, 167 
Greenleaf, 52 
JAF,XII, 248 
JAF, XXII, 75 
JAF,XXIV, 337 
Leach, 28 
Linscott, 273 
Mackenzie, 151 
Moore, 264 
Peacock, I I., 344 
Peters, 133 
Prestige/Int'l 25004 (recording) 
Sharp, English Folk Songs in Southern Appalachians, 
I, 344 
Shoemaker, 185 
Stout, 22 
Whitten, 101 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., II , 77 
Kidson, Trad. Tunes, 116--
Long, 14_0 __ 
Purslow, Foggy Dew, 69 
Reeves, Everlasting Circle, 209 
662 
S. Henry, no. 166 
II. CATALOGUES 
Chappell, Popular Music, 676 
Dean-Smith, 99 
Laws, 209 
Rosenberg, 102, no. 1143 
Wilgus-Long 
III. COMMENTS 
Ebsworth (Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 739) notes that 
a parody entitled "The Pretender's Army" was pub-
lished in 1717 sung"to the same tune" and with the 
opening line, "as Perkin one morning lay musing in 
bed." (See Mughouse Diversions [London: S. Popping, 
1717]). 
663 
POLLY OLIVER (N-14) 
Polly Oliver's Ramble. 
One night as Polly Oliver lay musing on her bed, 
A comical fancy came into her head, 
Neither father or mother shall make me false prove, 
I'll list for a soldier and follow my love. 
Early the next morning this fair maid arose, 
She dressed herself in a man's suit of clothes 
Coat, waistcoat, and breeches and sword by her side, 
On her father's black gelding like a dragoon did ride. 
She rode till she came to fair London town, 
She dismounted her horse at the sign of the Crown, 
The first that came down was a man from above, 
The next that came down was Polly oliver's love. 
Good evening, good evening, kind captain said she, 
Here's a letter from your true love, Polly Oliver, said she, 
He opened a letter and a guinea there was found, 
For you and your companions to drink her health round. 
Supper being ended she held down her head, 
And called for a candle to light her to bed, 
The captain made this reply, I have a bed at my ease, 
You may lie with me countryman if you please. 
To lie with a captain is a dangerous thing, 
I am a new enlisted soldier to fight for our king, 
To fight for our king by sea and by land, 
Since you are my captain I'll be at your command. 
Early the next morning this fair maid arose, 
And drest herself in her own suit of clothes, 
And down stairs she came from the chamber above. 
Saying here is Polly Oliver your own true love 
He at first was surprised, then laughed at the fun, 
And then they were marry'd and things were all done, 
If I laid with you the first night, the fault it was mine, 
I hope to please you better love for now it is my time. 
Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 
6, Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. V, p. 64. 
664 
POLLY OLIVER (N-14) 
The Maids Resolution To Follow Her Love 
There was a fair creature in the Islands did Dwell, 
Was courted by a Captain & lov'd very well, 
When her cruel Parents came it for to here, 
They kept Madam Molly from her dearest dear. 
One Night as Madam Molly lay musing in bed 
A frolicksome fancy came into her Head, 
Neither Father nor mother shall make me false prove 
For I'll be a Soldier & follow my love. 
She put a Coat & a pair of Breeches on 
And deck'd herself in Aparel like a Man, 
With a Case of Pistols and Sword by her side, 
So like a Jolly Trooper Madam Molly did ride. 
Madam Molly rode till she came to a Sea-port Town; 
At the Sign of the Dreadnought she sat herself down, 
The first that came in did unconstant prove, 
But the next that appear'd was Mollys true love. 
She said here's a Letter from Molly you adore, 
And in this said letter is a Guinea or more, 
For you & your Soldiers to drink her Health round, 
Ay, that we will do Cry'd the Capt. G--d Zounds. 
Madam Molly she held down her drowsey head 
Saying fetch me a candle & shew me my Bed, 
The Capt. reply'd, Sir, I lie at my Ease, 
And you may lie with me sir if you please. 
Sir, to lie with a Soldier is a difficult thing, 
I am a new listed squire to fight for the King, 
Next Morning Madam Molly arose, 
And dress'd herself in her own feamale Cloaths 
Saying here is your Molly whome you do adore, 
She has ventur'd to follow you by Sea & shore, 
Who has left her cruel Parents to sigh & Complain 
Who would give Thousands & Thousands to see her again. 
665 
Now the Captain has marr'd her and calls her his Dear, 
And settled upon her 500 a Year. 
Now, etc. 
Holloway and Black, Later English Broadside Ballads, p. 174. 
666 
• 
• 
POLLY OLIVER (N-14) 
There Was A Fair Damsel. 
There was a fair damsel, from London she came, 
She was courted by a Captain, a man of great fame, 
She was courted by a Captain, a Captain on shore, 
Pretty Polly was a girl that we all did adore. 
One Thursday evening as she lie in bed, 
A notion came into her head, 
Neither Father or Mother could make her untrue, 
She woulddress like a soldier and follow her love. 
Early next morning Polly arose, 
Dressing herself in a suit of mens clothes, 
Coat, west coat, and britches, pretty Polly put on, 
Every feature was dressed like a man. 
She went out to the stables to view the steed round, 
Soon choosing the one that could travel the ground, 
With a course of bright pistols and a sword by her side, 
On her father's best guilden and away she did ride. 
She rode and she rode till she came to the town, 
There she put up by the side of the Crown, 
The first man that entered was a brave Irish Lord, 
The next man that entered was Polly's true love • 
Here is a letter, here is a letter from Polly, your friend, 
Here is a letter, here is a letter to you she did send, 
There is health for all people that live in this town, 
There is health for all soldiers tho they may drink round. 
When Polly got sleepy, she hung down her head, 
She called for candle to light her to bed, 
To bed said the captain, here is a bed at your ease, 
You can lie here with me kind sir if you please. 
To lie with a Captain is a dangerous thing, 
He is a brave squier, he will fight for his king, 
I will fight for my King boys, on sea and on shore. 
Pretty Polly is a girl that we all do adore. 
667 
• 
• 
Early next morning Pretty Polly arose, 
Dressing herself in her own female clothes, 
She came down the stairs from her chamber above, 
Saying this is Polly Alberts, your Royal true love. 
Now Polly is married she leaves at her ease, 
She goes when she is willing, returns when she pleases, 
She has left her old Father and Mother at home, 
They would give thousands for Pollys return. 
Western Kentucky Folklore Archive (UCLA Folklore Archive)--
Ohio Co., Kentucky, 1959 . 
668 
66. THE LADY LEROY (N-5) 
(The Lady Leroy; Lady Del Roy; Sally and 
Her Lover; Lady Uri; Bill Roy) 
The Lady Leroy 
Bright Phoebus was shining all on the broad main, 
The birds they were singing, all nature serene; 
I espied a fair couple on Ireland's shore 
A-viewing the ocean, while the billows did roar. 
The young man is "persuading" his beloved to go with him 
away from her disapproving father. She disguises herself 
and purchases a vessel from her father. Upon discovering 
that they have gone, the father follows them himself (or 
sends a crew in pursuit of them, in some versions). The 
two ships encounter each other, and the battle is won by 
the daughter and her lover. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Adventure Magazine, L~ ~3 October 1926) pp. 221-2. 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
Gordon MSS 1509 (Wash., 1925) 
Gordon MSS 1899 (NJ, 1926) 
Gordon MSS 2116 (Colo., 1926) 
Gordon MSS 2318 (Tex., 1926) 
Gordon MSS 2625 (Ill., 1927) 
3354Al (Calif., 1939) 
3401Al (Mich., 1938) 
3810A2 and 3 (Calif., 1938) 
4205B-A2 (Calif., 1938) 
Belden, 180 
Cox, Folk Songs, 377 
Flanders-Brown, 137 
Fowke, 96 
Gardner and Chickering, 174(rpt. Wright, 361) 
Greenleaf, 220 
JAF, XXIX , 180 
JFSS, VIII'-, 218 
Leach, 86 
Peacock, I , 208 
Sharp, English Folk Songs in Southern Appalachians, 
II , 210 
669 
Shoemaker, 72 
Stout, 32 
Folk Legacy FSC-10 (recording) 
S. Henry, no. 214 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 204 
Wilgus-Long 
670 
THE LADY LEROY (N-5) 
Lady Leroy 
Bright Phoebus was shining all on the broad main, 
The birds they were singing, all nature serene; 
I espied a fair couple on Ireland's shore 
A-viewing the ocean, while the billows did roar. 
The one was a lady, both beauteous and fair, 
The other a captain, persuading his dear, 
Persuading his jewel to cross the wide sea, 
In a ship he commanded, called Lady Leroy. 
Oh, no, cried this fair maid, this never can be. 
My father has vessels, full twenty and three, 
And should he o'ertake us, our lives he'd destroy, 
So I dare not venture in the Lady Leroy. 
Oh, then, cried the captain, I'm surely undone--
I wish that my mother had ne'er borne a son. 
May sweet peace go with you, for wretched am I, 
For the love of pretty Polly I am doomed for to die 
Then she dressed herself up in a suit of men's clothes, 
And disguised unto her old father she goes. 
She purchased a vessel, and paid full demand; 
But little did he think, 'twas his own daughter's hand. 
Then to her lover--and to him did she say, 
Make haste and get ready, no time for delay. 
They hoisted their topsails, their colors let fly, 
And they swore by their Maker, they will conquer or die. 
They had not sailed more than a week or ten days 
Before from the southeast there blew a fair breeze. 
They espied a fine vessel, which was to their joy, 
They hailed her and found her the Lady Leroy. 
Turn back, oh, turn back to the Ireland shore, 
Or this very instant a broadside I'll pour. 
Then broadside from broadside these vessels did pour, 
And like loud peals of thunder their cannon did roar. 
They had not fought more than an hour and a half, 
When this pretty fair maid gained her victory at last. 
Now go tell my father it is to his shame, 
I have conquered his vessel, I have conquered his name. 
671 
They sailed into Boston, that city of fame, 
With two as fine vessels as e'er crossed the main. 
The one was the Essex, the other Leroy--
Success to Pretty Polly, she's the source of all joy. 
Shoemaker, p. 72. 
672 
THE LADY LEROY (N-5) 
The Lady Leroy. 
As I went walking one evening in June, 
To view the green fields and the meadows in bloom, 
I spied a lovely couple on Erin's green shore, 
They were viewing the ocean where the loud billows roar. 
O, Sally, lovely Sally, you're the maid I adore, 
To be parted from you it would grieve my heart sore; 
But your parents are rich, love, and angry with me, 
And for me to enforce you my ruin might be. 
Sally dressed herself up in a suit of men's clothes, 
And down to her father she instantly goes; 
She purchased a vessel, paying down his demand, 
But little he knew 'twas from his own daughter's hand. 
She wrote her love a letter, and this she did say, 
Be quick and make ready, there's no time to delay; 
They hoisted their topsails with signs of great joy, 
And over the ocean sailed the Lady Leroy. 
When Sally's old father came this for to know, 
Like a man in distraction to a captain he did go; 
He bid him go find them, and her lover destroy, 
For he ne'er will enjoy the fair Lady Leroy. 
With bold indiscretion this sea-captain did go, 
And quickly made ready like some daring foe; 
He spied a large vessel with her colours let fly, 
And he hailed her and found her, the Lady Leroy. 
Return you young couple to Erin's green shore, 
Or a broadside of grapeshot on your lives I will pour; 
But Sally's true lover he made this reply, 
I'll never surrender, I'll conquer or die. 
Then broadside to broadside they on other did pour, 
Far louder than thunder their cannons did roar; 
But Sally's true lover gained the victorie, 
And he sunk the proud captain in the dark raging sea. 
673 
We landed in Boston, that city of fame, 
With a bold chief commander, I'll not mention his name; 
Drink a health to lovely Sally and the Lady Leroy, 
She's the source of all comfort and my only joy. 
Write home to your father and this let him know, 
That I would not be conquered by friend or by foe; 
We wish him good fortune, long life to enjoy, 
But he lost all his prospects on the Lady Leroy. 
Sam Henry, No. 214 
674 
THE LADY LEROY (N-5) 
Bill Roy 
The sun was just rising 
Shone all o'er the plains 
The cavvy was bucking 
All nature seemed strange 
I spied a fair couple 
On old Mexico's shore 
A viewing the country 
All over and o'er. 
The one was a Spanish girl 
Pretty and fair 
The other a vacquero 
Persuading his dear 
Persuading his jewel 
To cross the wild plains 
To the city of Cheyenne 
The city of fame. 
Pretty Molly, pretty Molly, 
The girl I adore, 
To leave you behind me 
Would grieve my heart sore. 
Your Father's and old calender 
And he's angry with me 
To stay in old Mexico 
My ruin he'd be. 
Now this girl being in trouble 
She hung down her head 
And then she looked up 
With more courage and said 
I've resolved to go with you 
We shall have a convoy 
And a fine lot of mustangs 
To give us much joy. 
She dressed herself up 
In vacquero's best clothes 
And unto her father 
In this guise she goes 
She purchased the mustangs 
Paid down the demand 
Little thought he 'twas done 
By his own daughter's hand. 
675 
Then they saddled their mustangs 
Their spurs they let roll 
As they dashed o'er the prairie 
To Cheyenne their goal. 
Now when her father 
Came this to understand 
He swore his revenge 
On the contempting young man 
He swore pretty Molly 
Should ne'er be his wife 
And for her disobedience 
He would take her sweet life. 
He went to his greasers 
In a fit of despair 
And there he told them 
The whole affair 
He told them to pursue them 
Their lives to destroy 
For she ne'er should wed 
Her lover Bill Roy. 
Then the greasers made ready 
Made ready for a fight 
A fight with the cowboys 
Their only delight. 
They saddled their mustangs 
Their whips they threw by 
To start on the trail 
Of the daring Bill Roy. 
They had not been gone 
But a week or ten days 
And the cowboys were causing 
The cowtrails to blaze. 
Where they spied some vacqueros 
And hailed them with joy 
And among them pretty Molly 
And her lover Bill Roy. 
So they bade them come back 
To old Mexico's shore 
Or they from their pistols 
Bright fire would pour. 
But the brave young cowboys 
Gave back this reply 
For the sake of Bill's sweetheart 
We'll fight till we die. 
676 
From pistols and pistols 
The bright fire poured 
And louder than thunder 
The old rifles roared. 
The cowboys gained victory 
And sweet liberty 
And now I'm a cowboy 
Both happy and free. 
To the city of Cheyenne 
The city of fame 
The name of this couple 
I'll mention again. 
The one pretty Molly 
Her lover Bill Roy 
Sam Wilson, young cowboy 
Who had the convoy. 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folksong - Gordon MSS 2116, 
Ms. letter from Frank Earnest, Sugar Loaf, Boulder Co., Colorado, 
11/15/26 in response to Adventure, "Lady LeRoy", 10/23/26. 
Earnest: "the enclosed which is I guess a parody on the Lady 
LeRoy." 
677 
67. THE PLOUGHBOY (M-24) 
(The Ploughboy; The Pretty Plough Boy; Pretty 
Little Plough Boy; The Simple Ploughboy; It's 
of a Pretty Ploughboy; The Jolly Ploughboy) 
The Ploughboy 
It is of a pretty Plough-boy was ploughing of his land, 
His horses stopped underneath the shade; 
It was down in yonder plain he was whistling at his 
plough 
And his chance it was to meet a pretty maid. 
He tells her that she is "of higher degree," and if he 
should fall in love with her and her parents not approve, 
they will send him to sea. Her father comes to know, and 
the pressgang takes him to sea. She dresses herself "in 
man's attire" (or in "gallant attire," "in her best riches'; 
&c.) and fills her pockets with gold. She meets a sailor 
and inquires fer her ploughboy. He takes her to the ship, 
and she offers her gold to free her love. She brings him 
ashore, and they live "joined hand in hand." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242. 75F, II 
Pitts Printer, Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, 
Great st. Andrew street 7 dials. 
(1819-44) 
54-784, II 
54-784, I 
Stephenson, Printer, Gateshead. (1821-38) 
25242 .17, II, 133 
John Harkness, Printer, 121 Church Street, 
Preston. (1840-66) 
25242.17, x, 93 
Bebbington, 
Manchester, 
York. 
Printer, 31 Oldham Road, 
Sold by J. Beaumont, 176 
(1858-61) 
25242.17, XII, 74 
H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 123 Union-
street, Boro'--SE, and at 83, White Cross-
st., St. Luke's. (1849-69) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, I, 16v 
Pitts--Printed at Pitts Wholesale Toy 
678 
Warehouse 6 Great st, Andrew street, 7 
Dials. (1819-44) 
Uncat. BSS, 
C. Paul, Printer, 18, Great St. Andrew-
Street, 7 Dials. (c.1845) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
H800.219, 68V 
C. Paul, Printer, 18, Great St. Andrew-
Street, 7 Dials. (c.1845) 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
Printed and Sold Wholesale and Retail by 
J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials.--
Sold by W. Marshall, Bristol. (1813-35) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex3598.847 
Yale, 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, VIII, 50 
John Harkness, Printer, 121 Church Street, 
Preston. (1839-60) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
4378B2 (Lincolnshire, 1908) 
Chappell, 71 
Creighton and Senior, 176 
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 165 
Mackenzie, 130 
JFSS, I, 132 
JFSS, II, 147 
JFSS, IV, 303 
JFSS, VIII, 268 
Johnson, II, 242 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., II, 82 
Long, 138 
O'Brien, 379 
Sharp, English County, 192 
Ford, Vagabond Songs, II, 150 
Greig, Folk-Song of North-East, CXVII 
Greig-Duncan, 442-,-no. 170 
Joyce, Old Irish, 223 
679 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 99 
Laws, 191 
680 
THE PLOUGHBOY (M-24) 
The Ploughboy. 
It is of a pretty Plough-boy was ploughing of his land, 
His horses stopped underneath the shade; 
It was down in yonder plain he was whistling at his plough, 
And his chance it was to meet a pretty maid. 
CHORUS. Pretty maid--
And his chance it was to meet a pretty maid. 
He sang to her a song as he ploughed it along, 
Saying you are a maid of higher degree, 
If I should fall in love, and your parents not approve, 
There's the next thing they'll send me to the sea. 
0 soon her aged father he came for to know 
That in love with a ploughing boy she was; 
A press gang he did send, he pressed her love away, 
And they sent him to the wars to be slain. 
Then she dress'd herself in man's attire, 
And her pockets she wel' fill'd with gold; 
And see how she trip'd the street so nimbly and so neat 
And walked like a jolly sailor bold. 
Now the first that she met was a jolly bold sailor; 
Did you meet with my pretty ploughing boy? 
Yes he's just gone on the deep, and I'm going to the fleet; 
O, he says, my pretty man, can you row, can you row? 
They both jump'd in the boat, and they rowed to the fleet, 
To the ship that her ploughing boy was in; 
0 Captain, she did cry, with the tears all in her eye, 
Will you let me have my pretty ploughing boy? 
One hundred bright guineas and more she pull'd out 
Of her pocket, where she had gold in store, 
And strew'd it about till she found her ploughboy out, 
And she bought him and she brought him to the shore. 
0 now this couple's landed and joined hand in hand, 
In spite of all friends or all foes; 
The bells they did ring, and the maiden she did sing, 
When she'd got her young lad she adored--she adored! 
Stephenson, Printer, Gateshead. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. I, BS 427 
681 
THE PLOUGHBOY (M-24) 
Pretty Little Plough Boy. 
Pitts Printer. Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Great 
st. Andrew street 7 dials 
A Pretty little Ploughboy a driving of his team; 
And his horses stood under the shade, 
Tis all for your sweet sake I came this way, 
And so well I'm rewarded for my pains 
The tears ran down her cheeks from her sloe black eyes, 
She was dress'd like some goddess I vow, 
You had better keep at home says he, my pretty maid, 
And away he went singing to the plough 
He finish'd his song as he walk'd along 
And thus to himself he did say, 
If I should have you pretty maid 
The next day I should be sent to sea. 
Soon as her cruel parents came to know 
As he was ploughing on a hill, 
A press gang came and pressed him, 
And sent him to the wars to be slain 
She dressed herself in gallant attire 
And her pockets were lined with gold, 
She went to the seas in hopes to find ease, 
And she met with a sailor bold. 
I'm to the sea young sailor said she, 
Did you meet with a pretty ploughboy 
He's gone across the deep I am going to the fleet, 
So pray young man let me ride, 
She got to the boat and sailed along 
Till she came to the Spanish shore 
0 how she sigh'd and cry'd for her little ploughboy 
When she heard the loud cannons roar. 
Harvard, 25242.75F, Vol. II, BS 43. 
682 
THE PLOUGHBOY (M-24) 
The Plough Boy. 
It's of a jolly plough boy was ploughing on the plain, 
And his horses stood under yon shed; 
He was whistling to his plough, he was ploughing on the plain, 
And his chance it was to meet a pretty maid. 
And his chance it was to meet a pretty maid. 
He finished his song as he rolled along. 
You're a maid of a higher degree 
And if I should fall in love and thy parent come to know, 
Then the next thing would send me to the sea, 
Then the next thing would send me to the sea. 
When that her parents came for to know 
And the plough boy was ploughing on the plain, 
Then the press gang they sent and they prest her love away 
And they sent him to the wars to be slain. 
And they sent him to the wars to be slain. 
She dressed herself, in her best riches did shine, 
And her pockets were lined with gold, 
See how she trudg'd the streets with the tears in her eyes, 
And she march'd like a jolly sailor bold, 
And she march'd like a jolly sailor bold. 
The first that she met was a jolly [sailor] bold, 
Did you see my plough boy she cried; 
He is joined with the fleet and he's sailing on the deep, 
And he's going to the war to be slain, 
And he's going to the war to be slain. 
When she came to the ship that her true love was in, 
To the Captain she then did complain; 
She said Sir, I am come for that pretty plough boy 
For they've sent him to the war to be slain, 
For they've sent him to the war to be slain. 
A hundred guineas she then pulled out, 
And strew'd them gently on the cabin floor, 
And when her plough boy she had got into her arms, 
Then she row'd him till she row'd him safe on shore, 
Then she row'd him till she row'd him safe on shore, 
When that she came unto the dry land, 
And the places where she had been before, 
Then so sweetly she did sing made the valleys for to ring, 
Then she sang of the laddie she ador'd, she ador'd, 
And she sang of the laddie she ador'd. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. II, BS. 38 
683 
THE PLOUGHBOY (M-24) 
The Pretty Ploughboy. 
It's of a pretty ploughboy who was driving of his team, 
And a fair pretty maid he did spy; 
He unto her did say, at home you'd better stay, 
And away he went singing to his plough. 
And this was his song as he trudged on his way, 
Pretty maid, you are of high degree; 
If you should fall in love, and your parents not approve, 
The next thing they will send me off to sea. 
As soon as this her cruel parents came to know, 
And he was a ploughing on a hill, 
To him the pressgang came, and they sent him o'er the main, 
And he's gone in the wars to be slain. 
But his love dressed herself in a man's suit of clothes, 
And she went for her ploughboy to search, 
With her pockets lined with gold--she met a sailor bold, 
And these words unto her he did say--
Where are you a going, my fair pretty maid, 
So anxious and so early in the morn? 
They have pressed my love, said she, and have sent him to sea, 
And he's gone in the wars to be slain! 
Said he, My pretty maid, will you go along with me? 
And she went with the sailor to his boat; 
So they pushed from the shore, while the cannons they did roar, 
Which caused her to shed many tears. 
So he rowed her along till they came to the ship, 
On board which her pretty ploughboy sailed; 
He is here, the captain said, you are welcome pretty maid; 
But he's going in the wars to be slain. 
But a hundred bright guineas at once she put down, 
And the captain he soon told them o'er; 
Now you for him have paid, you can take him, pretty maid, 
And she hugged him till she got him safe ashore. 
684 
So all you pretty fair maids, wherever you may be, 
That values your true love more than gold; 
You must cross the raging main, and fetch him back again, 
And I'll warrant you'll be happy till you die. 
W.H. Long,~ Dictionary of the Isle of Wight Dialect, And of 
Provincialisms Used in the Island &c. (London: Reeves and Turner, 
1886), p. 138. 
685 
68. THE CONSTANT FEMALE (N-12) 
(The Constant Female; The Rakish Female Sailor; 
Blue Jacket and White Trousers; For A Maid I 
am That's Deep in Love; I am a Maid in Love; 
Jimmy's Love; A Maid I am in Love; The Maid in 
Sorrow; Short Jacket) 
The Constant Female 
I am a maid in love and I cannot get free, 
I'm lamenting here for Jemmey who is across the raging 
sea, 
Now I'm taken and tied unto the ground, 
My hands and feet are handcuffed like a murderer I'm 
bound. 
Her "cruel parents" set her free whereupon she puts on 
"jacket and blue trousers" and engages with a captain "her 
passage to get free." As they prepare to go to bed on the 
ship the captain says that he wishes she were a maid, for 
her "ruby lips" and "cherry cheek" have enticed him. She 
tells him that when they are ashore they will find "fair 
maids." When they reach land she bids him farewell, re-
vealing that she is a maid. The captain offers her "a 
handsome portion" if she will marry him, but she says that 
she will only love "Jemmy," and if he is dead, she will 
"mourn constantly." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.17, VII, 123 
A. Ryle and Co., Printers, 
mouth Court, Bloomsbury. 
2 and 3, Mon-
(1845-59) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, II 
Robert M Intosh, Printer, 203 Gallowgate 
Glasgow. 
B. Folksong Versions 
Harvard, 
Misc. BSS, Uncat.- MS folksong text from Maine 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
2296A3 (Mich., 1938) 
3704A-Bl (NHam., 1939) 
686 
British Broadcasting Corporation Archive of 
Recorded Sound, 
18583 (Down) 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
*630, p. 149 (Kerry, 1937) 
*782, p. 30 (Kerry, 1941) 
*1276, p. 519 (Clare, 1948) 
1591, p. 177 (Cork, 1960) 
MacDonagh 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive, 
66-24; C252 (St. Paul's, Nfld.) 
Creighton, Maritime, 78 
FE 4307 Ethnic Folkways Library (recording) 
Gardner and Chickering, 401 
Greenleaf, 100 
Peacock, II, 327 
Palmer, 108 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 208 
Wilgus-Long 
687 
THE CONSTANT FEMALE (N-12) 
The Rakish Female Sailor. 
A. Ryle & Co., Printers, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Bloomsbury. 
I am a rakish fair maid, who dare not well be seen, 
And for the sake of Jemmy, I dare not be seen, 
I'll cross the raging seas, if Jemmy he is dead, 
I will mourn constantly, all for my Jemmy's sake 
I'll cross the raging seas, &c. 
A tarry jacket and blue trousers this maiden did put on, 
And like a gallant sailor she briskly moved along 
She bargain'd with a captain her passage to get free, 
To be his own companion crossing o'er the sea. 
As they were a stripping them, and jumping into bed, 
The captain did sigh and say, I wish you were a maid: 
Your ruby lips and cherry cheek have so enticed me. 
That I do wish with all my heart you were a maid said he. 
0 hold your tongue, dear captain, 0 hold your tongue said she, 
If the sailors should now hear us, they would make game of me 
For when that we do reach the shore, some handsome girls you'll 
find, 
To sport among the fair maids I always was inclin'd 
In less than two days sailing our ship did reach the shore, 
She said farewell, dear captain, adieu for evermore 
A sailor I was once on board, but now I'm a maid on shore, 
He said, return my dearest lady, for you I do adore 
It is a handsome portion I will bestow on thee 
Five hundred bright sovereigns now the sum shall be. 
If you consent to marry me, 0 say you will be mine, 
0, hold your tongue, dear captain, you talk is all in vain, 
0, for the sake of Jemmy I cross'd the raging sea 
For he was the only lad, I could love none but he 
If my Jemmy should be he dead, I will mourn constantly, 
And for the sake of Jemmy, a maid I'll live and die. 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. VII, BS 123. 
688 
THE CONSTANT FEMALE (N-12) 
The Constant Female. 
I am a maid in love and I cannot get free, 
I'm lamenting here for Jerrnney who is across the raging sea, 
Now I'm taken and tied unto the ground, 
My hands and feet are handcuffed like a murderer I'm bound. 
But now her cruel parents have set her free at last, 
Still hoping insome comfort with them she might pass 
Shirt jacket and blue trousers this maid she put on, 
Like a gallant sailor she walked and roved along. 
She engaged with the captain her passage to go free 
To be her own companion across the raging sea, 
One night as they were walking and going to their bed 
[The] captain then he sigh'd and said I wish you was a maid. 
Thur cherry cheeks and rosy lips have so enticed me 
[That] I could wish with all my heart you was a maid for me; 
Hold your tongue dear captain your talk is all in vain 
If the sailors were to hear they would mock and make thee game. 
But when we do reach the shore two pretty girls we'll find 
[We'll] port among the fair maids and to them we'll prove kind, 
Its in a few days sailing this maid got safe on shore, 
Saying farewell now dear captain adieu for evermore. 
Altha a sailor I was on board a maid I am on shore, 
Altha a sailor I was on board a maid I am on shore, 
Come back, come back my pretty maid come back and talk with me, 
I have a handsome fortune which I will bestow to thee. 
I have eighty pounds a year besides I'm gentle bound 
If you'll consent to be my wife and say you will be mine, 
Hold your tongue dear captain, your talk is all in vain, 
I [have] a loyal sweetheart and for him I've ploughed the main, 
If I do not fine him I'll mourn him constantly, 
But for the sake of Jemmey a maid I'll live and die, 
If I do not find him I'll mourn him constantly 
But for the sake of Jemmey a maid I'll live and die. 
689 
Robert M Intosh, Printer, 203 Gallowgate Glasgow 
A Good Variety always on hand, Shops and 
Travellers Supplied on Liberal Terms. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division-Uncatalogued Broadside 
Ballads, Box II 
690 
THE CONSTANT FEMALE (N-12) 
The Maid in Sorrow 
I am a maid in sorrow, in sorrow to complain, 
And it's all for the sake of my Jinnny I crossed the raging main; 
And if I do not find him, I'll more contented lie; 
It's all for the sake of my Jinnny a maid I'll live and die. 
0 small boots, vest, and trousers this fair maid she put on; 
She looked just like a sailor brave, and slowly she marched 
along. 
She bargained with the captain her passage to go free 
And to be his chief companion all on the raging sea. 
One night as they sat talking, just as they were going to bed, 
The captain sighs and then replied, saying, I wish you were a 
maid; 
For the blushed of your rosy cheeks it so entices me 
That I could wish with all my heart you are the maid for me. 
0 hold your tongue, dear captain, 0 hold your foolish tongue; 
If the sailor boys should hear of this, of us they'd make great 
fun; 
But when we do get safe on shore two handsome maids we'll find, 
We'll roam and sport and pleasure with those that are due inclined. 
In two or three days after when they did get on shore, 
Adieu, adieu, sea captain, and farewell forever more. 
Adieu, adieu, sea captain, and farewell forever more, 
For once I was a sailor on board, but now I'm a maid on shore. 
Gardner and Chickering, p. 401. 
691 
69. THE LONDON MERCHANT (M-19) 
(The London Merchant; The Rich Merchant's Daughter; 
The Old Merchant and Daughter; Willie) 
The London Merchant 
It is of a rich merchant near London we hear, 
Had a comely young daughter most beauteous and fair, 
20,000 bright guineas was her portion in gold, 
Till she fell in love with a young sailor bold. 
Her father, upon finding out, threatens to kill William "be-
fore [the next] morning." Trying to warn her true love, 
the daughter dresses herself in "bold sailor's apparel com-
plete" and meets William. She gives him some gold, and he 
kisses her and departs for Dover. Walking up "the Strand," 
she meets her father who mistakes her for William and kills 
her. Realizing what he has done, the father then kills 
himself. When William hears what has happened he dies 
"broken hearted by grief and despair." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.18 
R. Evans, Printer Foregate-Street, Chester. 
(1825-32) 
25243.lOPF 
T. Birt, 10, Great St. Andrew-Street; 
(wholesale and retail), Seven Dials, London. 
(1828-29) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
H80.219, 95v 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
Yale, 
Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. Sold by Bennet, Brighton; and 
T. Batchelar, 14 Hackney Road Crescent. 
(1813-c. 28) 
Ib57+t2, Misc. English BSS 
Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. Sold by Bennet, Brighton; and 
T. Batchelar, 14 Hackney Road Crescent. 
(1813-c.28) 
692 
.. 
Songs.£!. the Ocean, 59 
Ashton, More Street Ballads, 388 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
3275B (Mich., 1938) 
Creighton and Senior, 218 
Gardner and Chickering, 112 
Thompson, 392 
Hill 
JFSS, I, 222 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 100 
Laws, 189 
693 
LONDON MERCHANT (M-19) 
London Merchant. 
'Tis of a rich Merchant near London we hear, 
Had a comely young daughter most beauteous and fair, 
20 thousand bright guineas was her portion in gold, 
Till she fell in love with a young sailor bold. 
0 when that the Merchant these tidings did hear, 
Upon the young sailor he vengence did swear, 
He says your true love shall no more plough the sea, 
For before to-morrow morning his butcher I'll be. 
0 when that she heard her own father say so, 
Her mind was o'erwhelmed with sorrow and woe, 
She thought to herself if I could see my dear, 
I quickly would warn him of the danger that's near. 
In a suit of bold sailor's apparel complete, 
She dressed herself up from the head to the feet, 
With pumps on her feet, and a cane in her hand, 
She met her dear William as she walk'd thro' the strand, 
She says my dear William O instantly flee, 
For my father doth swear that your butcher he'll be, 
So straight unto Dover I'd have you repair, 
And in 48 hours I will meet you there. 
As he kiss'd her fair cheek the tear stood in each eye 
She says I will save you or else I will die, 
Then straightway she gave him a handful of gold, 
And she march'd up the street like a sailor so bold. 
She meeting her father as she walk'd up the strand 
He mistook her for William saying you are the man, 
A sword from his side then he instantly drew 
And her beautiful body he pierc'd quite through. 
When he found what he'd done he sunk down in despair, 
He wringed his hands and he tore off his hair. 
Crying wretched monster Oh! what have I done, 
I have killed the flower of fair London town. 
Then up from the ground he did instantly start, 
And he lean'd on his sword till he pierced his heart, 
Forgive me he cry'd as he drew his last breath, 
Then he closed his eyes in the cold arms of death. 
Now when that young William the tidings did hear, 
He died broken hearted by grief and despair. 
Thus father and daughter, and a young sailor bold, 
Met an untimely death for the sake of gold. 
R. Evans, Printer Foregate-Street Chester. 
Harvard, 25242.18, BS 28 
694 
• 
70. ROSE THE RED AND WHITE LILY (Child 103) 
Rose the Red and White Lily 
0 Rose the Red and White Lilly, 
Their mother dear was dead, 
And their father married an ill woman, 
Wishd them twa little guede. 
Two sons of the stepmother court the two girls in a "bowr." 
Wishing to stop the courting, the mother tells the sons that 
they must go to sea. The girls disguise themselves and 
follow their lovers unrecognized. One day while moving a 
stone White Lilly moans, and her lover, Brown Robin, recog-
nizes that she is a woman. He goes into her "bowr" and im-
pregnates her. When her time to deliver comes, whe refuses 
him entrance and takes up a "bugle-horn" to call her "bro-
ther," Rose the Red. Rose, who is a page at the court, 
hears the horn, and as they had agreed, she goes to her 
sister. Brown Robin refuses to let the "page" enter the 
bowr, and the two fight. Finally at evening Rose the Red, 
who is wounded, reveals herself to Robin. White Lily de-
livers "a bonny young son," and word spreads throughout the 
land. The king hears of it and journeys to see. Upon 
reaching the place he recognizes his footpage, Rose. She 
says that she wanted to see her brother, and tells the 
king not to enter the bowr. He insists and sees Lily nurs-
ing her son. Rose tells him the whole story, the king 
dresses the girls in "robes of green," and they are joy-
fully wed to the two brothers. 
I. SOURCES 
B. Folksong Versions 
Child II, pt. 2, no. 103 
Greig-Duncan, 407, no. 162 
695 
ROSE THE RED AND WHITE LILY (Child 103) 
Rose the Red and White Lily. 
0 Rose the Red and White Lilly, 
Their mother dear was dead, 
And their father married an ill woman, 
Wishd them two little guede. 
Yet she had twa as fu fair sons 
As eer brake manis bread, 
And the tane of them loed her White Lilly, 
An the tither lood Rose the Red. 
0 biggit ha they a bigly bowr, 
And strawn it oer wi san, 
And there was mair mirth i the ladies' bowr 
Than in a' their father's lan. 
But out it spake their step-mother, 
Wha stood a little foreby: 
I hope to live and play the prank 
Sal gar your loud sang ly. 
She's calld upon her eldest son: 
Come here, my son, to me; 
It fears me sair, my eldest son, 
That ye maun sail the sea. 
Gin it fear you sair, my mither dear, 
Your bidding I maun dee; 
But be never war to Rose the Red 
Than ye ha been to me. 
0 had your tongue, my eldest son, 
For sma sal be her part; 
You'll nae get a kiss o her comely mouth 
Gin your very fair heart should break. 
She's calld upon her youngest son: 
Come here, my son, to me; 
It fears me sair, my youngest son, 
That ye maun sail the sea. 
696 
Gin it fear you sair, my mither dear, 
Your bidding I maun dee; 
But be never war to White Lilly 
Than ye ha been to me. 
0 haud your tongue, my youngest son, 
For sma sall be her part; 
You'll neer get a kiss o her comely mouth 
Tho your very fair heart should break. 
When Rose the Red and White Lilly 
Saw their twa loves were gane, 
Then stopped ha they their loud, loud sang, 
And tane up the still mournin; 
And their step-mother stood listning by, 
To hear the ladies' mean. 
Then out it spake her White Lilly: 
My sister, we'll be gane; 
Why should we stay in Barnsdale, 
To waste our youth in pain? 
Then cutted ha they their green cloathing 
A little below their knee, 
And sae ha they there yallow hair, 
A little aboon there bree; 
An they've doen them to haely chapel, 
Was christened by Our Lady. 
There ha they chang'd their ain twa names, 
Sae far frae ony town, 
An the tane o them hight Sweet Willy, 
An the tither o them Roge the Roun. 
Between this twa a vow was made, 
An they sware it to fulfil; 
That at three blasts o a bugle-horn, 
She'd come her sister till. 
Now Sweet Willy's gane to the kingis court, 
Her true-love for to see, 
An Roge the Roun to good green wood, 
Brown Robin's man to be. 
As it fell out upon a day 
They a' did put the stane, 
Full seven foot ayont them a' 
She gard the putting-stane gang. 
697 
She leand her back against an oak, 
And gae a loud Ohone! 
Then out it spake him Brown Robin, 
But that's a woman's moan! 
0 ken ye by my red rose lip? 
Or by my yallow hair? 
Or ken ye by my milk-white breast? 
For ye never saw it bare? 
I ken no by your red rose lip, 
Nor by your yallow hair; 
Nor ken I by your milk-white breast, 
For I never saw it bare; 
But come to your bowr waever sae likes, 
Will find a lady there. 
0 gin ye come to my bowr within, 
Thro fraud, deceit, or guile, 
Wi this same bran that's in my han, 
I swear I will the kill. 
But I will come thy bowr within, 
An spear nae leave, quoth he; 
An this same bran that's i my han 
I sall ware back on the. 
About the tenth hour of the night 
The ladie's bower-door was broken, 
An eer the first hour of the day 
The bonny knave-bairn was gotten. 
When days were gane, and months were run, 
The lady took travailing, 
And sair she cry'd for a bowr-wornan, 
For to wait her upon. 
Then out it spake him Brown Robin: 
Now what needs a' this din? 
For what coud any woman do 
But I coud do the same? 
'Twas never my mither's fashion, she says, 
Nor sall it ever be mine, 
That belted knights shoud eer remain 
Where ladies dreed their pine. 
698 
But ye take up that bugle-horn, 
An blaw a blast for me; 
I ha a brother i the kingis court 
Will come me quickly ti. 
0 gin ye ha a brither on earth 
That ye love better nor me, 
Ye blaw the horn yoursel, he says, 
For ae blast I winna gie. 
She's set the horn till her mouth, 
And she's blawn thr-e blasts sae shrill; 
Sweet Willy heard i the kingis court, 
And came her quickly till. 
Then up it started Brown Robin, 
An an angry man was he: 
There comes nae man this bowr within 
But first must fight wi me. 
0 they hae fought that bowr within 
Till the sun was gaing down, 
Till drops o blude frae Rose the Red 
Came hailing to the groun. 
She leand her back against the wa, 
Says, Robin, let a' be; 
For it is a lady born and bred 
That's foughten sae well wi thee. 
0 seven foot he lap a back; 
Says, alas, and wae is me! 
I never wisht in a' my life, 
A woman's blude to see; 
An a' for the sake of ae fair maid 
Whose name was White Lilly. 
Then out it spake her White Lilly, 
An a hearty laugh laugh she: 
She's lived wi you this year an mair, 
Tho ye kentna it was she. 
Now word has gane thro a' the lan, 
Before a month was done, 
That Brown Robin's man, in good green wood, 
Had born a bonny young son. 
699 
The word has gane to the kingis court, 
An to the king himsel; 
Now, by my fay, the king could say, 
The like was never heard tell! 
Then out it spake him Bold Arthur, 
An a hearty laugh laugh he: 
I trow some may has playd the loun, 
And fled her ain country. 
Bring me my steed, then cry'd the king, 
My bow and arrows keen; 
I'l ride mysel to good green wood, 
An see what's to be seen. 
An't please your grace, said Bold Arthur, 
My liege, I'll gang you wi, 
An try to fin a little foot-page, 
That's strayd awa frae me. 
0 they've hunted i the good green wood 
The buck but an the rae, 
An they drew near Brown Robin's bowr, 
About the close of day. 
Then out it spake the king in hast, 
Says, Arthur, look an see 
Gin that be no your little foot-page 
That leans against yon tree. 
Then Arthur took his bugle-horn, 
An blew a blast sae shrill; 
Sweet Willy started at the sound, 
An ran him quickly till. 
0 wanted ye your meat, Willy? 
Or wanted ye your fee? 
Or gat ye ever an angry word, 
That ye ran awa frae me? 
I wanted nought, my master dear; 
To me ye ay was good; 
I came but to see my ae brother, 
That wons in this green wood. 
Then out it spake the king again, 
Says, Bonny boy, tell to me 
Wha lives into yon bigly bowr, 
Stands by yon green oak tree? 
700 
0 pardon me, says Sweet Willy, 
My liege, I dare no tell; 
An I pray you go no near that bowr, 
For fear they do you fell. 
0 haud your tongue, my bonny boy, 
For I winna be said nay; 
But I will gang that bowr within, 
Betide me wee! or wae. 
They've lighted off their milk-white steeds, 
An saftly enterd in, 
An there they saw her White Lilly, 
Nursing her bonny yong son. 
Now, by the rood, the king coud say, 
This is a comely sight; 
I trow, instead of a forrester's man, 
This is a lady bright! 
Then out it spake her Rose the Red, 
An fell low down on her knee: 
0 pardon us, my gracious liege, 
An our story I'll tell thee. 
Our father was a wealthy lord, 
That wond in Barnsdale; 
But we had a wicked step-mother, 
That wrought us meickle bale. 
Yet she had twa as fu fair sons 
As ever the sun did see, 
An the tane o them lood my sister dear, 
An the tither sayd he lood me. 
Then out it spake him Bold Arthur, 
As by the king he stood: 
Now, by the faith o my body, 
This shoud be Rose the Red! 
Then in it came him Brown Robin, 
Frae hunting o the deer, 
But whan he saw the king was there, 
He started back for fear. 
701 
The king has taen him by the hand, 
An bade him naithing dread; 
Says, Ye maun leave the good green wood, 
Come to the court wi speed. 
Then up he took White Lilly's son, 
An set him on his knee; 
Says, Gin ye live to wiald a bran, 
My bowman ye sall bee. 
The king he sent for robes of green, 
An girdles o shinning gold; 
He gart the ladies be arrayd 
Most comely to behold. 
They've done them unto Mary Kirk, 
An there gat fair wedding, 
An fan the news spread oer the lan, 
For joy the bells did ring. 
Then out it spake her Rose the Red, 
An a hearty laugh laugh she: 
I wonder what would our step-dame say, 
Gin she this sight did see! 
Child, Vol. II, Pt. 2, No. 103A (Jamieson-Brown MS., fol. I). 
702 
B. Ballads in Which the Heroine 
Disguises Herself to Accompany or Pursue 
Her Beloved (No. 71-100) 
703 
71. LOVE AND GLORY 
(Love and Glory; Henry and Jane; 
Young Harry) 
Young Henry was as brave a youth, 
As ever graced a martial story, 
And Jane was fair as lovely truth; 
She sighed for love, and he for glory. 
Henry means to "plight his faith," but war calls him "from 
love to glory." Jane follows "in man's attire," and both 
die, she "for love," and he, "for glory." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Thomas J. Dibdin, The English Fleet in 1342 (1805) 
[Thomas Dibdin] Songs, Duets, Choruses &c. in~ 
New Historical Comic Opera in Three Acts 
called The English Fleet, in 1342. As Per-
formed ~the Theatre-RoyalCovent-Garden 
(1803) ,-14-
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, III 
Evans, Printer, Long-lane, London. (c.1803) 
Library of Congress/Music Division, 
Uncat. BSS 
L. Deming, corner Merchant's Row, and 
Market Square, Boston. (c.1829-31) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
HB2645, 37 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
PR1187G19r, A Right Choyse("Lover's Songster") 
Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by J. 
Mar shall, in the Old Flesh-Market. ( 1811-2 9) 
Yale, 
Ib5 7t800g/ case 2, "Garland of New Songs~· No. 7 
J. Marshall, Newcastle upon Tyne. (1810-31) 
The American Songbook (1815), 38 
The American Star (1817), 22 
The Blackbird (1834), 29 
Boston Musical Miscellany (1811), 36 
Northumbrian Minstrel (1811), 27 
704 
Sdngsters Multum in Parvo, III, 24 
II. CATALOGUES 
Thomson, 56, no. 428 
III. COMMENTS 
"Love and Glory" was written by Thomas John Dibdin 
(music by Braham) for The English Fleet in 1342; An 
Historical Comic Opera in Three Acts, which was per-
formed at Covent-Garden-Y3 December 1803. 
705 
LOVE AND GLORY 
Love and Glory. 
Young Henry was as brave a youth, 
As ever grac'd A martial story; 
Young Henry was as brave a youth, 
As ever grac'd a martial story; 
And Jane was fair as lovely truth, 
She sigh'd for love, 
And he for glory. 
She sigh'd for love, 
And he for glory. 
With her his faith he meant to plight, 
And told her many a gallant story; 
Till war, their honest joys to blight, 
Call'd him away from love to glory. 
Brave Henry met the foe with pride; 
Jane follow'd, fought, (ah! hapless story!) 
In man's attire, by Henry's side--
She died for love, and he for glory. 
The Boston Musical Miscellany. Boston: J.T. Buckingham, 1811, p. 36. 
706 
72. A SONG OF MARION'S MEN 
A Song of Marion's Men 
In the ranks of Marion's band 
Through morass and wooded land 
Over beach of yellow sand 
Mountain, plain and valley 
A southern maid in all her pride 
Marched gayly at her lover's side 
In such disguise 
That e'en his eyes 
Did not discover Sally 
In his sleep "on his straw couch in the camp," he dreams of 
his true love. The maid rejoices when she finds him "true." 
The battle begins and, to ward the death-spear from his 
side," she dies by the "Santee," and they sing a "ceaseless 
dirge" over her grave. 
I. SOURCES 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
"Russell MS Book," I (1817-42) 
707 
A SONG OF MARION'S MEN 
A Song of Marion's Men. 
In the ranks of Marion's band 
Through morass and wooded land 
Over beach of yellow sand 
Mountain, plain and valley 
A southern maid in all her pride 
Marched gayly at her lover's side 
In such disguise 
That e'en his eyes 
Did not discover Sally 
When returned from midnight tramp 
Through the forest dark and damp 
On his straw couch in the camp 
In his dreams he'd dally 
With that devoted gentle fair 
Whose large black eyes and flowing hair 
So near him seem 
That in his dream 
He breathes his love for Sally. 
Oh! what joy that maiden knew 
When she found her lover true 
Sudenly the trumpet blew 
Marion's men to rally 
To ward the death-spear from his side 
Battling by broad Santee she died 
Where sings the surge 
A ceaseless dirge 
Near the stone grave of Sally. 
Princeton University/Rare Book Division - Malinda and Samuel 
Russel, Manuscript Commonplace Book (Bristol, Maine, 1817-1841), 
Vol. I. 
708 
73. GEORGE'S QUAY 
(George's Quay; The Forgetful Sailor; 
Johnny Doyle) 
George's Quay or the Forgetful Sailor 
Ye sons of Dan O'Connell's Guard, pay attention to my 
ditty, 
It's all about a sailor lad, his birthplace was in 
Dublin City. 
My song is for to demonstrate a story with a pious moral, 
Beginning close to Carlisle Bridge, and ending in the 
isles of coral. 
Johnny Doyle sails away and leaves behind a pregnant girl. 
After her child is born and grows to be self-supporting, 
the mother dresses "up in sailor's clothes" to "scour the 
seven seas for Johnny." She ships as "Bill" aboard a 
"pirate bold," and in the "Saragossa sea" she sees Johnny 
on a passing ship. Now they live in "Ringsend," and he 
is a merchant while she runs "a stall of perrywinkles." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
O'Lochlainn, More Irish Street Ballads, 176 
Topic 12T218 (recording) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
III. COMMENTS 
O'Lochlainn (More Irish Street Ballads) attri-
butes this "modern ballad in the old style" to 
"the late 'Jimmy' Montgomery, many years Film 
Censor." 
709 
GEORGE'S QUAY 
George Quay or 
The Forgetful Sailor. 
Ye sons of Dan O'Connell's Guard, 
pray pay attention to my ditty, 
Its all about a sailor lad, 
his birthplace was in Dublin city. 
My song is for to demonstrate, 
a story with a pious moral, 
Beginning close to Carlisle Bridge 
and ending in the isles of coral. 
A schooner sailed from George's Quay 
for foreign parts one sultry season, 
And on the shore a maiden stood 
and wept like one bereft of reason; 
O! Johnny Doyle, my love for you 
is true but full of deep contrition, 
For what will all the neighbours say 
about myself and my condition. 
The capstan turned, and sails unfurled, 
the schooner scudded down the Liffey, 
The damsel gave a piercing wail, 
she was a mother in a jiffy; 
The vessel crossed the harbour bar, 
her course was set for foreign waters, 
To China where they're very wise, 
and drown at birth their surplus daughters. 
Now years and years are passed and gone 
and Mary's child is self-supporting, 
And Mary's heart is fit to break 
when that young buck goes out a-courting; 
And so, says she, on one fine day 
he'll leave me lone and melancholy, 
I'll dress me up in sailor's clothes 
and scour the seven seas for Johnny. 
710 
She shipped aboard a pirate bold 
which raided on the hot equator, 
And with these hairy buccaneers 
there sailed this sweet and virtuous crathur; 
The Captain thought her name was Bill, 
his character was most nefarious, 
Consorting with this heinous beast 
her situation was precarious. 
'Twas in the Saragossa sea 
two rakish barques were idly rolling, 
And Mary in the middle watch 
the quarter deck she was patrolling; 
She calmly watched the neighbouring ship 
then suddenly became exclamant, 
For there upon the gilded poop 
stood Mr. Doyle in gorgeous raiment. 
And now they're back in sweet Ringsend, 
that gem that sparkles on the Dodder, 
He lives a peaceful merchant's life 
and does a trade in oats and fodder; 
By marriage lines she's Mrs. Doyle 
she runs a stall of perry winkles, 
And when he hears she's that-a-way 
his single eye with joy it twinkles. 
O'Lochlainn, More Irish Street Ballads, p. 176. 
711 
74. MY WILLY WAS A SAILOR BOLD 
My Willy Was A Sailor Bold 
My Willy was a sailor bold, 
He lov'd no other lass but me, 
To earn for Anna store of gold, 
My constant Willy went to sea; 
When on his trembling lip farewel 
Hung, dew-drop like, it rent my heart, 
I felt my throbbing bosom swell, 
And vow'd from Willy ne'er to part. 
"In jacket blue and trowsers neat" she joins the ship, and 
in a storm "a pirate flag apall'd each heart." When the 
pirates "forc'd him join their crew," she goes too, though 
Willy knows her "not as his true love, but a kind messmate." 
"His constant theme at sea," she says that she will "guard 
him in the raging fight." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, IV, 11 
Printed and sold by J. 
Long-lane, London. 
712 
Evans, No. 41, 
(c. 1790-95) 
MY WILLY WAS A SAILOR BOLD 
Just Published, price one penny, The Brave 
Lord Nelson's Garland; Being a Choice Collection .•• &c. 
My Willy Was a Sailor bold 
Printed and sold by J, Evans, No. 41, Long-Lane, London. 
My Willy was a sailor bold, 
He lov'd no other lass but me, 
To earn for Anna store of gold, 
My constant Willy went to sea; 
When on this trembling lip farewel 
Hung, dew-drop like, it rent my heart, 
I felt my throbbing bosom swell, 
And vow'd from Willy ne'er to part. 
In jacket blue and trowsers neat, 
Snow-white that play'd around my knee, 
I join'd the ship in Willy's fleet--
Most dear to dear--and went to sea; 
A storm came on, rude tempests blew, 
A pirate flag appall'd each heart--
We struck, they forc'd him join their crew 
I scorn'd from Willy still to part. 
He knows me not as his true love, 
But a kind messmate makes to me, 
His truth his constancy I prove, 
For I'm his constant theme at sea; 
Link'd thus by love two minds unite, 
Conjoin'd each boasts a faithful heart, 
I'll guard him in the raging fight, 
nor e'en in death with Willy part. 
Harvard, 25274.2 Vol. IV, Ch. 11 
713 
75. THE HAPPY COUPLE (N-15) 
(The Happy Couple; The Valiant Maid; The 
The Valiant Maiden; Billy and Sally's 
Parting; The Noble Duke; The Damsel Dis-
guised; She Dressed Herself like a Duke) 
Come all you brisk young damsels that sport in Cupid's 
chain, 
'Tis of a brisk young maiden, lay sporting on the plain; 
All with her true love Billy, as she did sport and play, 
The press-gang overtook them and prest her love away. 
She weeps and wishes that the "French may kill them" who 
stole her love from her. She dresses up "like a Duke, with 
a star upon her breast" and resolves to be her love's bride. 
Just as the ship is about to sail, she goes aboard and 
takes her true love, claiming that he is a servant man who 
has robbed her of her "gold and store." He begs for liber-
ty saying he has never robbed any man. She mentions her 
own name, and the lover weeps "when hearing of her." She 
reveals herself, they embrace, and they go to the church 
to be married. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
54-784, I 
T. Haggett, Printer, Durham. (1816-43) 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
54-784, II 
Newcastle: Marshall Printer. (1810-31) 
54-784, II 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts, 14, Andrew 
street 7 dials. (1797-1819) 
25242.4 
Printed at, Pitts, Toy Warehouse 6, Great 
st. Andrew street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
25242.71 
2 5 2 4 2 • 8 5 F , 4 6r 
Pitts, Printer Wholesale toy and Marble 
warehouse 6, Great st. Andrew Street 7 
dials. (1819-44) 
25242. 24, 99r 
Pitts, Printer Wholesale toy and Marble 
warehouse 6, Great st. Andrew Street 7 
dials. (1819-44) 
714 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, I, 44r 
Printed at, Pitts, Toy Warehouse 6, Great 
st. Andrew street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
KVB, I I, 4v 
KVB, II, 4 7r 
Pitts, Printer Wholesale toy and Marble 
warehouse 6, Great st. Andrew Street 7 
dials. (1819-44) 
New York Public Library/Arents Collection, 
BS Ballads 
Pitts, Printer Wholesale toy and Marble ware-
house 6, Great st. Andrew Street 7 dials. 
(1819-44) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
BS Ballads, 1790-1830, 18 
Printed at, Pitts, Toy Warehouse 6, Great 
st. Andrew street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
EX3598.321, 18 
Printed at, Pitts, Toy Warehouse 6, Great 
st. Andrew street 7 Dials. (1819-44) 
B. Folksong Versions 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
Western Kentucky Collection (Ill., 1948) 
J AF, LI I , 16 3 
Thomas, Devil's Ditties, 76 
S. Henry, no. 584 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 210 
Rosenberg, 91, no. 1013 
Wilgus-Long 
715 
THE HAPPY COUPLE (N-15) 
The Valiant Maid 
Printed at, Pitts, Toy Warehouse 6, Great st. 
Andrew street 7 Dials 
All you maids that love to play with Cupid's chain, 
Tis of a brisk young maiden who was sporting on the plain, 
It was for her true love Willy she did sport and play, 
A press gang overtook them & prest her love away. 
In floods of tears she mourn'd for him both night and day, 
Crying I'm undone for ever with the losing of my dear 
I wish the French may kill them that prest my love away, 
And send their bodies sinking for ever in the sea. 
She dressed like a duke with a star upon her breast, 
And swore she kill the captain if he did her mistrust, 
Her life she boldly ventur'd for her true love so brave 
Resolved to be his wife or the sea to be her grave. 
This ship was just a sailing when she came to the sea, 
She called out for the captain before they sail'd away, 
The officers stood cap in hand this noble duke to see, 
Expecting she was come their commander for to be. 
So when she saw her true love she took him by the hand, 
Saying this is my servant man and him I do demand, 
For he has robbed me of my store I will try him for his life. 
She ventur d life & fortune all for to be his wife. 
So then she had him fetter'd she handed him along 
Saying I will conduct him all to some prison strong 
The young man begged for liberty to plough the raging seas, 
I know I never robbed any man my Lord in all my days. 
So when she had him safe away she sat down in the shade 
Then she began to ask him if he knew such a maid, 
His eyes began to flow with tears when hearing of her name 
My dear said she don't troubled be, for sure I am the same. 
With everlasting joy they flew into each others arms 
Tis everlasting pleasure while kissing of her charms 
My dear how could you benture your sweet and precious life 
Then to the church they went and so made her his wife. 
Princeton University/Rare Book Division, Ex3598.321, BS 18 
716 
76. THE CABIN BOY 
The Cabin Boy 
Poll Pennant's father was a tar, 
Her uncle smuggled tea, 
And her relations near and far, 
Had bus'ness with the sea. 
Poll marries Jack, "pride of the crew," and she learns to 
"hand and reef and steer." Jack goes to sea, and Poll, 
disguised as a cabin boy, accompanies him unrecognized. 
She rushes "to danger" with him and "kindly dress'd his 
wound." When the "cruise was out," Poll goes home first 
"in a prize." Jack returns and sings the praises of the 
cabin boy who had attended him. Poll reveals that she was 
his messmate, and Jack cries, "'Come to my faithful heart!'" 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Hogarth, Songs of Charles Dibdin (1842), i, 281 
Harvard, 
25242.85F, 6V 
Printed and Sold by R. Walker, near the 
Duke's Palace, Norwich. (c.1820) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, II, 7v 
Printed and Sold by R. Walker, near the 
Duke's Palace, Norwich. (c.1820) 
New York Public Library/Arents Collection, 
BS Ballads 
Printed and Sold by R. Walker, near the 
Duke's Palace, Norwich. (c.1820) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Thomson, 20, no. 35 
68, no. 517 
Wolfe, Secular Music in America, I, 244 
III. COMMENTS 
Charles Dibdin, the elder, wrote this piece. George 
Hogarth (Songs E..f Charles Dibdin, I, 277) says Shat 
the song was "written for the New Belle Assemblee, 
Lady's Magazine, During the Years 1811-1812." 
717 
THE CABIN BOY. 
The Cabin Boy. 
Printed and Sold by R. Walker, near the 
Duke's Palace, Norwich. 
Poll Pennant's father was a tar, 
Her uncle smuggled tea, 
And her relations near and far, 
Had bus'ness with the sea. 
She married Jack, pride of the crew, 
One to her bosom dear; 
And 'mongst these sailors quickly knew 
To hand and reef and steer. 
That Jack was off, the ship unmoor'd, 
She heard with silent joy, 
And cunningly repair'd on board, 
Dress'd like a cabin boy. 
Whene'er to danger he would rush, 
Jack still a helpmate found: 
And were he hurt in any brush, 
She kindly dress'd his wound. 
The cruise was out; from her disguise 
Poll now with pleasure burst! 
Then took her passage in a prize, 
And to their home come first. 
Jack chas'd her soon, in eager gaze, 
Unladed all his joy, 
And presently sung out the praise, 
Of the kind cabin boy. 
How he had watch'd him, how his care, 
Had nicely dress'd his prog; 
How sung him some delightful air, 
As they tipt off their grog:--
'Twas I,' cry'd Poll, 'that messmate, who 
'In all your toil took part;"--
'You my sweet Poll!' Jack cry'd out, 'you! 
'Come to my faithful heart!" 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, *KVB (Ballads p.v. 1-2), 
Vol. II, p. 7 v 
718 
77. THE CAPTAIN OF LOVE 
(The Captain of Love; The Lady and the 
Farmer; The Rich Nobleman and His 
Daughter) 
The Captain of Love 
There was a rich noble as lately we hear, 
Who had but one daughter, most charming and fair, 
He often admired this beautiful child, 
But soon by sly Cupid her heart was beguil'd. 
After her father's death, she visits his workmen and falls 
in love with a handsome young farmer. She dresses in 
officer's clothes and impresses the boy, telling him that 
he must go abroad as a soldier. She confines him in a 
room, reveals herself, and they are married. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, p. v. 3, 2 2 
Manchester--J. Swindells, Printer. 
(1819-53) 
National Library of Ireland, 
McCall, II , 82 
Dublin University Magazine,62 (1863), 633 
(Wexford, 1817) 
Ireland's Own (18 April 1942) p. 9 
Universal Irish Song Book (1904), 93 
B. Folksong Versions 
Broadwood, English Traditional, 68 
JFSS, I, 185 
719 
THE CAPTAIN OF LOVE 
Captain of Love 
There was a rich noble, as lately we hear, 
Who had but one daughter, most charming and fair, 
He often admired this beautiful child, 
But soon by sly Cupid her heart was beguil'd. 
Her father he died; and one day, at her ease, 
To visit her workmen she rode in her chaise; 
A handsome young ploughman she then did espy, 
And in raptures upon him she then fix'd her eye. 
The flame in her bosom so strongly did glow, 
To gaze on his beauty to the fields she would go; 
He whistled so sweet that the vallies did ring, 
And his cheeks they did bloom like the roses in spring. 
Then home to her maidens the lady she goes, 
Resolving to dress in gay military clothes, 
With a broadsword in hand, she went to the grove, 
And the ploughman was press'd by this captain of love. 
Unto this young ploughman the lady she said, 
Come, come, jolly farmer, and join the parade; 
No longer to toil at the plough and to sow, 
But abroad for a soldier with me you must go. 
You are handsome and proper, well fitted to shine, 
With lac'd hat and feather, and scarlet so fine; 
With me you'll away, and your captain I'll be, 
And a lady shall court you of noble degree. 
When to a close room he was straightway confin'd, 
While she changed her clothes, and told him her mind; 
He flew to her arms, and he solemnly swore, 
That the captain of love he'd for ever adore. 
Then straight off to church this couple they went, 
And in wedlock were join'd by mutual consent: 
How happy the ploughman, for chang'd now is he, 
From a poor man's estate, a rich noble to be. 
J. Swindells, Printer. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, *KVBp.v.3, !_ Coll. of 
Ballads, (Manchester: J. Swindells), p. 22. 
720 
78. THE SAILOR ON THE SEA 
(The Sailor on the Sea; It Happened One Day) 
The Sailor on the Sea 
It was in London fair that a lady she lived there, 
This lady was of beauty and delight, 
When unto this lady gay I became a servant maid, 
And in me she took great delight. 
The servant is courted and betrayed by the woman's son, "a 
sailor on the sea." He promises that he will not prove 
false to her. She cuts "her long yellow hair" and goes to 
the captain. While on board they drink wine, and the cap-
tain weeps and says that she reminds him of his beloved. 
She quotes his promise, and he recognizes his words and 
her, flying "into her arms like a dove." They are married 
and "now live happy on the sea." 
I. SOURCES 
B. Folksong Versions 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
T7-69-37 (Longford, 1969) 
Ulster Folk Museum, 
Shields Coll., T-1968/UCLA T7-73-2 (Antrim, 
1968) 
Greig-Duncan, 475, no. 178 
S. Henry, no. 203 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
III. COMMENTS 
This ballad is an excerpted portion of The Faith-
less Captain (79.). 
721 
THE SAILOR ON THE SEA 
The Sailor on the Sea. 
It was in London fair that a lady she lived there, 
This lady was of beauty and delight, 
When unto this lady gay I became a servant maid, 
And in me she took great delight. 
She had one only son, of beauty, birth was born, 
Although he was a sailor on the sea; 
And he courted this fair maid till he had her heart betrayed, 
And then he was bound for the sea. 
It happened to be in a bedroom where she lay 
That the tears from her cheeks at morn did flow, 
Saying, "Are you going away, from me to ever stay, 
And leave me on the shores for to mourn?" 
"Oh, no! Oh, no!" says he, "such things will never be 
For as long as I'm a sailor on the sea; 
And the ship that I command may she never reach the land 
If ever I prove false, love, unto thee." 
Her long yellow hair it hung down in ringlets fair, 
To cut them off she thought no one would know; 
The next morning she arose, dressed herself in sailor's clothes, 
And straightaway to the captain she over did go. 
She was both neat and trim, complete on every limb, 
And the clothes she wore they fitted her so well; 
As she gazed among the crew then the captain near her drew, 
And he says, "Young man, have ever you been to sea?" 
"Oh, no, kind sir," said she," I have never been to sea, 
But take me as a young sailor bold, 
For I do mean to go where the stormy winds do blow, 
And it's neither for your money nor fine clothes." 
So it happened on a time when the crew was drinking wine 
That the tears from the captain's eyes did flow, 
Saying, "You're like a lover of mine I remember many's a time 
That I left upon the shore for to mourn." 
722 
"Oh, no! Oh, no!" says she, "such things can never be, 
For as long as I'm a sailor on the sea, 
And the ship that I command may she never reach the land 
If ever I prove false, love, unto thee." 
The captain knew his own dear words, for they still ran in his 
mind, 
And he flew into her arms like a dove; 
Saying, "Since you have ventured here, love, all for the sake of 
me, 
It's married then, oh, married we shall be." 
They called for a boy, and they called for a girl, 
And they called on a clergyman as well, 
So their marriage lines were wrote, and these couple married got, 
And now they live happy on the sea. 
Sam Henry, No. 203 
723 
79. THE FAITHLESS CAPTAIN 
(The Faithless Captain, or Betrayed Virgin; 
The Faithless Sea Captain) 
The Faithless Captain, or Betrayed Virgin. 
All ye maidens fair I pray awhile draw near, 
I a tragical story have to tell, 
It will make your heart bleed, when further I proceed, 
As for the truth it has befel, 
In London city liv'd a maiden there, 
Blest with a store of wit and beauty bright, 
Unto a lady fair she a servant were, 
And the lady in her took delight. 
The lady's son, a ship's captain, promises to marry the ser-
vant but seduces her the night before they are to be wed. 
He goes to sea, and she cuts "her lovely locks" and enters 
with him unrecognized. He is reminded of his mother's 
maid and finally recognizes her "by her breasts so fair." 
While on ship she finds herself with child. He tells her 
he will be "revenged," but she pleads with him, and he 
agrees to marry her. But "fortune to them proves unkind," 
and a storm comes upon them, and she is swept to sea. When 
he discovers her body "floating on the main," he leaps into 
the sea to "share the same fate." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
National Library of Ireland, 
16551, Song Books (Derry, 1806-9) 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, III, 10 
J. Pitts, Printer Wholesale Toy and Marble 
Ware-house, 6 Great st. Andrew street 7 
dials. (1819-44) 
BS Ballads, VI, 194 
Printed and sold by Jennings, Water-lane, 
Fleet-street, London. (1802-09) 
II. CATALOGUES 
"A Catalogue of Maps, &c •.• Printed and Sold by Wil-
liam and Gluer Dicey ••• 1754," Bodleian MS 258.c. 
109, reproduced in Thomson," Development," 2 91 
"The Stock Ballads of Samuel Harward, printer at 
724 
Tewkesbury between 1760 and 1775," Gloucesthershire 
Notes and Queries, III, 227 
Cleveland Public Library, John G. White Department, 
Catalogue of Folklore and Folk Songs,!, 186 
Crawford, 44 
Ford, Broadsides, 415, no. 3101 
National Library~ Scotland, Edinburgh, Catalogue 
of Lauriston Castle Chapbooks, 74 
Thomson, 29, no. 113 and 114 
725 
THE FAITHLESS CAPTAIN, 
~R BETRAYED VIRGIN 
The Faithless Captain, or Betrayed Virgin. 
All ye maidens fair I pray awhile draw near, 
I a tragical story have to tell, 
It will make your heart bleed, when further I proceed, 
As for the truth it has befel, 
In London city liv'd a maiden there, 
Blest with a store of wit and beauty bright, 
Unto a lady fair she a servant were, 
And the lady in her took delight. 
She had a son we hear, who a captain were, 
A ship the Burford called, he did command, 
And as it was found was to India bound, 
And he must forsake the English land. 
His mother's waiting-maid had his heart betray'd, 
He great kindness unto her did bear, 
Though she was poor, yet he did her adore, 
But at length he did her heart ensnare. 
Rich gold and silver bright on his heart's delight, 
With some rich things he did bestow, 
Cloth'd her in array like a lady gay, 
But at last it prov'd her overthrow. 
The joyful day we hear appointed were, 
For the marriage as you shall find, 
Men lay many a snare for the maiden's fair, 
Hard it is for maids to trust mankind. 
The night before they married were to be, 
He unto the maiden fair did come, 
Saying, my heart's delight, go with me to night, 
About some business that I must have done. 
Unto a tavern he took the maid straightway, 
She poor innocent maid did think no ill, 
But wine as we hear, her senses did ensnare, 
Thus the traitor had his lusted will. 
But when the morning fair it did appear, 
And sleep her gentle senses did restore. 
Finding thus her charms infolded in his arms, 
Down her cheeks the chrystal streams did pour, 
My heart's oppress'd with grief finding no relief, 
Since a victim to your lust I'm fell; 
Now my virgin bloom you've cropt too soon, 
All joys and pleasures now I bid farewell. 
726 
Wilt thou wed me, sir, as you did say, 
This day you know the knot was to be tied, 
For ever undone my honour is gone, 
I am afraid I shall not be your bride. 
Though your charming person I've enjoy'd, 
If I forsake my dear, heaven be severe, 
May all the substance I have be destroyed. 
The ship that I command when I leave the land, 
May it never more return again; 
And then my tomb shall in this youthful bloom, 
Be in the deep and raging main. 
But first I'll go to sea, ere I'll married be, 
To look after honour and renown. 
A dream she said she had, they never should be wed. 
With many vows and oaths he from her rose, 
And on board the ship he soon did steer, 
The beauteous damsel bright went that same night, 
And bought some clothing then to wear, 
Her lovely locks of hair, as bright as silver were, 
She cut off that none might her know, 
Cloth'd like a sailor bright, she went that night, 
To enter at the rendezvous did go. 
Being tall and slim, and straight in every limb, 
Both dress and shape together did agree, 
The crew at her did gaze, the lieutenant says, 
Young man, have you ever been at sea? 
No, she reply'd, but if you'll enter me, 
I soon shall become a sailor bold. 
For I have a mind to go, where the storms do blow, 
And to seek for honour and upright gold. 
She was entertained straight to be a second mate, 
And on board in a little time did go; 
For the Indies soon did sail away, 
The captain his truelove did not know. 
Once upon a day he to her did say, 
Mate, thy person doth much so appear, 
Just like a love of mine I think many a time, 
When I look on you, I look on my dear. 
She was my mother's maid, I her heart betrayed, 
Now I have left her thus to grieve alone, 
I wish that soon she may married be, 
To some other man ere my return. 
This was a piercing dart to her tender heart, 
With a deep sigh she from him turn'd away, 
Revenge ye god! she said, on his perjured head, 
Who cruelly my honour did betray. 
727 
Now comes this tragical part, enough to pierce a heart. 
Quick she found herself with child to be, 
This cut her heart almost in twain; 
The ship's crew we hear did love her dear. 
Soon the lovely charming second mate, 
Begun to look quite thick about the waist, 
Forth from her eyes came many a briny tear. 
The Captain soon did take notice of the mate, 
One day as she in the cabin were, 
The Captain by her breasts so fair, 
Thought indeed she might a woman be. 
The more he on her gaz'd, the more was he amaz'd 
Perfectly he thought her face he knew, 
He said, Reveng'd I'll be, if it should be she; 
Then out of the cabin straight he flew, 
And bid the surgeon go and call the mate. 
She trembling to the captain did come, 
He said, I plainly see Madam, who you be, 
I shall be revenged for what you have done. 
At his feet then she fell immediately, 
And said do not be to me severe; 
Pity my distress my dearest dear, 
It is for the love of thee I've cross'd the sea, 
You've been you know my sad overthrow, 
Little did I think I with child were, 
But since it is so, some pity to me show, 
Favour a poor distrest creature here. 
Arise and go from me, he unto her did say, 
See none of this matter you let be known. 
Soon as we can get sight of land, 
I am resolv'd you on shore shall go. 
She said, dearest dear, be not too severe, 
Call to mind the oaths that you made to me, 
And how you did betray my virginity, 
The night before we married were to be; 
Do not from me part in this wild desart, 
Drown me in the watery main, 
Freely I'd comply this moment for to die, 
So let me now love by you be slain. 
As thus she spoke, tears bedew'd her cheek, 
Earnestly upon her he did gaze, 
He unto her did cry, and made this reply. 
In these arms sweet Molly make your grave, 
I cannot cruel be to such constancy, 
But as to your distress, heaven knows best, 
My dearest, what will become of you, 
We are far from shore, the billows roar, 
The doctor he must thy comfort be. 
728 
The minister I'll tell what has befel, 
And we'll married be upon the sea. 
The men were confused who heard the news, 
And mov'd in pity the charming fair, 
But as we hear they married were, 
Ere morning light did appear, 
Yet fortune, as we find, to them proves unkind, 
Those happy lovers to divide, 
As he sleeping were by his lovely fair, 
The winds blew high, and dreadful storms arose, 
All hands aloft they run all dangers for to shun, 
While the swelling bosom of the sea, 
Toss'd them mountains high, they for help did cry, 
To the Lord in their extremity. 
At last upon a rock they receiv'd a shock, 
Expecting every moment for to die, 
The men employed thus to save their lives, 
As on a rock the gallant ship did lie, 
The woman, on the deck, she came among the rest, 
In the hurry overboard she fell; 
No one could her save, the sea was her grave, 
A tragical story to her love to tell. 
The powers did decree she saved should not be, 
With waves they from the rocks were driven, 
The storm abated were to their joy, 
For this happiness they thanked kind heaven, 
The captain he cry'd, where is my lovely bride, 
Having searched no one could her see, 
For oh! unlucky day, she was cast away, 
At that he wrung his hands most bitterly, 
No rest could he take but sat on the beach, 
Earnestly of heaven he did implore, 
That her corpse he might see floating on the sea. 
To gaze his last upon her he did adore, 
When two days were past he spy'd at last, 
Her body floating on the main, 
Oh! Neptune kind, said he, thus to favour me. 
With the sight of my love again. 
Now like Leander here, I'll go to my dear, 
Evermore within her arms to sleep, 
It was for the love of me she cross'd the sea. 
And made her tomb in the silent deep. 
Her love to retaliate I will share the same fate, 
The Gods unto our vows will all witness be, 
My promise I'll perform this unhappy morn, 
So instantly he leap'd into the sea. 
729 
Many of them strove to save him then, 
When too true it was the fatal hour, 
For the swelling wave did become his grave, 
They were never after seen more, 
Young men a warning take how your oaths you break 
Of young virgins do not make game, 
Keep your vows and oaths as you propose, 
Then happy blessings will attend the same. 
Printed and sold by Jennings, Water-lane, Fleet-street, London. 
(Price one penny.) 
University of Kentucky, Vol. VI, p. 194. 
730 
80. POOR PEGGY 
(Poor Peggy; Poor Peg) 
Poor Peg. 
Poor Peggy lov'd a soldier-lad, 
More, far more, than tongue can tell ye; 
Yet was her tender bosom sad, 
Whene'er she heard the loud reveillez: 
The fifes were screech-owls to her ears, 
The drums like thunder seem'd to rattle; 
Ah! too prophetic were her fears,--
They call'd him from her arms to battle! 
Her lover "wonders perform'd" against the foe, but is soon 
"laid low" in death. "Poor Peg, in guise a comely youth," 
follows after him to the battlefield, "directed by the fife 
and drum." Finding her beloved, "her very soul was chill'd 
with woe," and she falls crying that she will meet her 
"murder'd lover." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Charles Dibdin, Sr., Professional Life of Mr. 
Dibdin, Written~ Himself (1803)~1-,-131 
Hogarth, Songs of Charles Dibdin (1842), I, 115 
III. COMMENTS 
Charles Dibdin, the elder, wrote this piece. Ho-
garth describes it as "from Private Theatricals" 
(Songs, 115). Concerning this production, he 
says, "'Private Theatricals, or Nature in Nubibus,' 
in three acts, was produced in September, 1791, at 
a place called the Royal Polygraphic Rooms, in the 
Strand."(84) 
731 
POOR PEG 
Poor Peg. 
Poor Peggy lov'd a soldier-lad, 
More, far more, than tongue can tell ye; 
Yet was her tender bosom sad, 
Whene'er she heard the loud reveillez: 
The fifes were screech-owls to her ears, 
The drums like thunder seem'd to rattle; 
Ah! too prophetic were her fears,--
They call'd him from her arms to battle! 
There wonders he against the foe 
Perform'd, and was with laurels crown'd; 
Vain pomp! for soon death laid him low 
On the cold ground. 
Her heart all love, her soul all truth, 
That none her fears or flight discover, 
Poor Peg, in guise a comely youth, 
Follow'd to the field her lover. 
Directed, by the fife and drum, 
To where the work of death was doing,--
Where of brave hearts the time was come, 
Who, seeking honour, grasp at ruin,--
Her very soul was chill'd with woe! 
New horror came in ev'ry sound, 
And whisper'd death had laid him low 
On the cold ground. 
With mute affliction as she stood, 
While her woman's fears confound her, 
With terror all her soul subdu'd, 
A mourning train came thronging round her: 
The plaintive fife and muffled drum 
The Martial obsequies discover; 
His name she heard, and cried, 'I come, 
Faithful to meet my murder'd lover!' 
Then, heart-rent by a sigh of woe, 
Fell, to the grief of all around, 
Where death had laid her lover low, 
On the cold ground! 
Hogarth, George. The Songs of Charles Dibdin, Chronologically 
Arranged, &c. (London: How & Parsons, 1842), Vol. I, p. 115. 
732 
81. MARY'S FATE 
(Mary's Fate; Faithful Mary; Ben and Mary; 
Ben Block and Mary) 
Ben Block and Mary 
(Dibdin.) 
The decks were cleared, the gallant band 
Of British tars, each other cheering; 
Each kindly shook his messmate's hand, 
With hearts resolved, no danger fearing. 
Ben Block turned pale, yet 'twas not fear, 
Ben thought he had beheld some fairy; 
When on the deck he saw appear, 
In seaman's dress, his faithful Mary. 
"An envious ball" kills her, and Ben catches "the falling 
fair." Not caring for his safety, he rushes on the foe 
and dies "for Mary." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
2 5 2 7 4. 2, XXV , 31 
Printed and sold by J. Evans, No. 41, Long-
lane, London. (1790-1820) 
25242.75F, II 
25242.17, II 
J. Kendrew, Printer, Colliergate, York. 
(1803-48) 
Harvard/Widener Library, 
25252.20, I, 17 
Marshall, Newcastle (1810-31) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Garland of New Songs, 27 
Marshall in the Old Flesh-Market, Newcastle. 
(1811-29) 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
PR1187G19r, Right Choyse (Sailor's Songster) 
Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by J, Marshall 
in the Old Flesh Market. (1811-29) 
The American Songster (1829) 
The Universal Songster, III, 234 
733 
II. CATALOGUES 
Cleveland Public Library, John Q_. White Department, 
I, 63 
Sonneck, Bibliography of Early Secular American Music, 
42 
Thomson, 43, no. 298 
68, no. 517 and 518 
Wolfe, Secular Music in America, I, 244 
III. COMMENTS 
This piece has been attributed both to Charles 
Dibdin, the elder (Wolfe, 244) and to his son, 
Thomas John Dibdin (Sonneck, 42). It seems more 
in the style of Thomas Dibdin. 
734 
MARY'S FATE 
The Mariner's Concert, Being a new collection of the most favorite 
Sea Songs, Written and sung by Dibden, Dignum, Fawcett, &c. And 
sung at the Places of Public Amusement in the Year 1797. 
Mary's Fate. 
Printed and sold by J. Evans, No. 41, Long-Lane, London. 
The decks were clear'd, the gallant band 
Of British tars each other cheering, 
Each kindly shook his messmate's hand, 
With hearts resolv'd--no danger fearing; 
Ben Block turn'd pale, yet 'twas not fear, 
Ben thought he had beheld some fairy, 
When on the deck he saw appear, 
In seamn's dress, his faithful Mary, 
Her cheeks assum'd a crimson glow, 
Yet such for love her noble daring 
No prayers could keep her down below, 
With Ben she'd stay, all perils sharing; 
When cruel fate ordain'd it so, 
Ere Ben had time to say, how fare ye, 
An envious ball convey'd the blow 
That clos'd in death the eyes of Mary. 
Ben's arms receiv'd the falling fair, 
Grief, rage, and love his bosom tearing. 
His eyes reflected wild despair, 
No more for life or safety caring; 
Close came the foe, Ben madly cry'd, 
Ye adverse powers come on, I dare ye, 
Then springing from the vessels side, 
Rush'd on the foe, and dy'd for Mary. 
In the engagement both were slain, 
Ben Block, and his true love Mary, 
And when the battle it was o'er, 
They did prepare their dead to bury; 
His loving messmates heav'd a sigh, 
As they on these true lovers gaz'd, 
Each turn'd his head and dropt a tear, 
When in the deep they both were bury'd. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol.XXV, Ch. 31 
735 
82. WILLIAM TAYLOR (N-11) 
(William Taylor; Billy Taylor; Bold William 
Taylor; Female Lieutenant; Willy Taylor; The 
False Lover; If You'll Get Up Early in the 
Morning) 
Bold William Taylor 
I'll sing you a song about two lovers, 
Who from Lichfield town did come, 
The young man's name was William Taylor, 
The maiden's name was .Sarah Naylor. 
William enlists as a sailor, and Sarah disguises herself 
and follows him. One day while exercising she is discovered 
when her breast is exposed. She tells the captain of her 
search for her beloved, and he reveals that William is un-
true. He walks at "break of day" with another woman. 
Sarah calls for "a brace of pistols" and shoots William and 
"his bride." The captain, "well pleased," makes her a 
"bold commander" and marries her. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, XVII, 8 
25274.2, XXVIII, 10 
54-784, II 
Printed for W. Armstrong, Banastre-street 
25242.17, XIII, 37 
London;--H. Such, Printer, 177, Union 
Street, Boro.' (1869-86) 
25242.61F, 8v 
Harvard/Widener Library, 
25253.30, 28 (The Vocal Annual) 
Boston: Frederic Hill, 1832 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, II 
Uncat. BSS, III 
New York Public Library/Research Division, 
NCK, Erin Machree, &c. 
Dublin, 45 Capel St. (Richard Grace, 1833-46) 
New York Public Library/Music Division, 
BS Coll. 
736 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher. 60 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850) 
BS Coll. 
"Catnach Press" by W. Fortey, Monmouth Court, 
Bloomsbury. (c.1859) 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Uncat. BS Ballads 
Leonard Deming, at the sign of the Barber's 
Pole, No. 61, Hanover Street, Boston. 
(1838-43) 
Uncat. BS Ballads, 
L. Deming, No. 62, Hanover Street, 2d door 
from Friend Street, Boston. (1832-34) 
Boston Public Library/Rare Book Division 
G382.46 
Laurie and Whittle, London, 1804 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
EX3598.847 
Princeton/Firestone Library-regular stacks, 
3588.99, Coll. of Pamphlets (No. 11 Billy Taylor) 
Sold at No. 101 North 3rd St., Philadelphia, 
1838 
Trinity College Dublin, 
66.u.165 
Birch and Backus' Songs of San Francisco Minstrels, 
(1881~99 ~ 
Harding's Dublin Songster, 719 
Inne's Budget£!. Merry Songs, 125 
Royal Polka Song Book, 136 
Songs of the Ocean (1860), 57 
Universal~ngster,II, 65 
Wiseheart's Songster's Olio, 91 
Wiseheart's New Comic Songster, 48 
Ashton, Modern Street Ballads, 259 
Ceol, !I, 66 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folksong, 
3355A2 (Calif., 1939) (also UCLA T7-66-139) 
3707A2 and 3 (NHam., 1939) 
3814A3 (Calif., 1938) (also UCLA T7-66-134) 
4340A4 (Lincolnshire, 1906) 
4345A3 (Lincolnshire, 1906) 
737 
4370B2 and 3 (Lincolnshire, 1908) 
4376B4 (Lineolnshire, 1908) 
4389B2-4 (Gloucestershire, 1908) 
5686B4 (Texas, 1941) 
New York Public Library/Music Division, 
"Percy Grainger's Coll." (facs.) 
Belden, 18 2 
Brown , I I , 3 3 0 
Cox, 382 
Creighton, 64 
Flanders-Brown, 152 
Fowke, 152 
Greenleaf, 49 
Hubbard, 58 
JAF, XXII, 380 
JAF, LII, 21 and 62 
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 171 
Mackenzie,132 
Manny and Wilson, 232 
Moore, 171 
Randolph, I, 295 
Sharp, English Folk Songs in Southern Appalachians, 
I, 3 7 3 
Christie, II, 208 
JFSS, I, 254 
JFSS, III, 214 
JFSS, V, 68 and 161 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., II, 63 
Leader LEA 4050 (recording) 
O'Brien, II, 462 
Reeves, Idiom of People, 227 
Sharp, English~olk Songs, 114 
Sharp, Folk Songsfrom Somerset, 46 
Greig, Folk-Song of North-East, CL 
Greig-Duncan, 438-,-no. 169 
Lxle, k 53 
Tocher, 26:85 
Ceol, II, 62 
s:-ifenry, no. 213 and 757 
Joyce, Old Irish, 235 
Petrie-Stanford, no. 745 (tune) 
738 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Harvard, 
25262.2, Murison MS, 53 
Yale, 
MSS/Osborn d215, "A Book of Ballads, JJS,1856" 
Huntington, 94 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 117 
Laws, 208 
Rosenberg, 140, no. 1557 
Wilgus-Long 
739 
WILLIAM TAYLOR (N-11) 
Bold William Taylor. 
I'll sing you a song about two lovers, 
Who from Lichfield town did come; 
The Young man's name was William Taylor, 
The maiden's name was Sarah Dunn. 
Now for a sailor William enlisted, 
Now for a sailor William's gone; 
He's gone and left his charming Sally, 
All alone to make me mourn. 
She dress'd herself in man's apparel, 
Man's apparel she put on, 
And for to seek her true lover, 
For to find him she is gone. 
One day as she was exercising, 
Exercising among the rest; 
A silver locket flew from her jacket, 
And exposed her milk-white breast. 
0 then the captain stepped up to her, 
And asked her what brought her there; 
All for to seek my own true lover, 
For he has proved to me severe. 
If you are come to find your lover, 
You must tell to me his name. 
His name is bold William Taylor 
And from Lichfield town he came. 
If your lover's name is William Taylor, 
He has proved to you severe; 
He is married to a rich lady, 
He was married the other year. 
If you will rise early in the morning, 
In the morning by the break of day; 
There you will see bold William Taylor, 
Walking with his lady gay. 
740 
Then she called for a brace of pistols, 
A brace of pistols I command; 
Then she shot bold William Taylor, 
With his bride at his right hand. 
0 then the captain was well pleased, 
Well pleased with what she'd done. 
And soon she became a bold connnander, 
On board the ship with all the men. 
Then the captain loved her dearly, 
Loved her dearly as his life; 
Then it was three days after, 
Sarah became the captain's wife. 
Printed at the "Catnach Press" by W. Fortey, Monmouth Court, 
Bloomsbury. The Oldest House in the World for Ballads 
(4,000 sorts) Song Books, &c. &c. 
New York Public Library/Music Division - Special Collections, 
Broadsides 
741 
WILLIAM TAYLOR (N-11) 
Billy Taylor. 
Entered According to Order. 
Billy Taylor, a brisk young Sailor, 
full of youth and sprightly air, 
And his mind he did discover 
to a bright young lady fair. 
When his father came to hear it, 
he flew in a passion straight, 
Swearing to be Billy's ruin, 
and deceive him of his right. 
Fifteen Sailors brisk and jolly, 
all was drest in rich arry. 
Instead of Billy's being married, 
press'd he was that very day. 
Soon this maiden followed after 
by the name of Richard Kerr, 
Her soft hands and milk white fingers, 
were all daub'd over with pitch and tar. 
But behold the first engagement, 
bold she fought amongst the rest, 
The silver button flew off her waistcoat, 
which exposed her milk white breast; 
When the Captain came to hear it, 
he said what wind hath brought you here 
I am in search of my true lover, 
him you have press'd I love so dear. 
If you be in search of your true lover, 
tell to me his name I pray? 
William Taylor is my true love's name, 
him you have press'd and sent away. 
If William Taylor is your true love's name 
he lives in the Isle of Man; 
If you will rise early in the morning, 
you'll see him walking on the sand. 
742 
If you'll rise early in the morning, 
early by the break of day, 
There you'll see your Billy Taylor, 
walking with his lady gay. 
She called quickly for a pistol, 
it was brought at her command, 
There she shot her own true lover 
and his bride at his right hand. 
Then the Captain did commend her 
for the deed that she had done, 
Straight he made her head commander, 
on board the Bassilonian. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol. XXVIII, Ch. 10 
743 
WILLIAM TAYLOR (N-11) 
Billy Taylor. 
Billy Taylor was a brisk young fellow, 
Full of fun and full of glee, 
And his heart he did diskiver 
To a lady fair and free. 
Right fal la, &c. 
Four-and-twenty stout fellows, 
Clad they vas in blue array, 
Came and pressed young Billy Taylor, 
And quickly sent him off to sea. 
Soon his true love follow'd after, 
Under the name of Richard Carr; 
And her lily-white hands she daubed all over 
Vith the nasty pitch and tar. 
Ven she came to the first engagement, 
Bold she sit among the rest, 
Until! a cannon ball did cut her jacket open, 
And diskivered her lily-white breast. 
Ven the Captain kim'd for to hear on't, 
Says he, vot wind has blowed you here? 
Says she I come to seek my true love, 
Whom you pressed and I love so dear. 
If you come to seek your true love, 
Tell unto me his name, I pray? 
His name, kind sir, is Billy Taylor, 
Whom you press'd and sent to sea. 
If his name be Billy Taylor, 
He's both cruel and severe, 
For rise up early in the morning, 
And you'll see him with a lady fair. 
Vith that she rose up in the morning, 
Early as by break of day, 
And she saw her Billy Taylor 
Avalking vith a lady gay. 
744 
Forwith she called for sword and pistol, 
Vich did come at her command; 
And she shot her Billy Taylor, 
Vith his fair von in his hand 
Ven the Captain kim'd for to know on't, 
He wery much applauded her for vot he'd done, 
And quickly made her first Lifetenant 
Of the gallant Thunderbomb. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division - Uncatalogued Broadside 
Ballads, Box III 
745 
83. CANADA I 0 
(Canada IO; Canada Heigho; The Lady's Trip 
to Kennady; The Gallant Lady; A New Song called 
Canada Heigho; Kennady-I-0; Canada-Hi-Ho; Cal-
ladee-I-0; Canadee-i-o) 
A New Song Called Canada Heigho!! 
Its of a merchants daughter lived in her prime of 
years, 
Who fell in love with a sailor bold, its true she 
loved him dear, 
But how to get on board with him this lady did not 
know, 
For she longed to see that lovely place called 
Canada heigho. 
She bargains with the sailors, and they dress her up in 
sailor's clothes and put her on board. Her lover finds 
out and threatens to throw her overboard. When the cap-
tain finds out, he rescues her and puts her in his cabin 
during a storm. He falls in love with her, and "she's now 
a Captain's lady in Canada heigho." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, II 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle. 
54-784, II 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle. 
54-784, II 
Haggett, Printer, Durham. 
25242.17, XII, 10 
(1810-31) 
(1810-31) 
(1816-43) 
Printed and sold at Such's 
Union Street, Boro'--SE. 
Song Mart, 123 
(1849-69) 
2 5 2 4 2 . 2 5 , 3 6r 
Sanderson, Printer, Edinburgh 
Mis. BSS, folder 
Huntington Library, 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth-
court, 7 Dials. (1836-38) 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
746 
BS Ballads, I, 32 
Elton's Forget Me Not Songster 
Forecastle Songster (1848) 
Forget Me Not Songster (1845) 
Ireland's Own, 9 Mar. 1940, 29 
4 Sep~1954, 16 
B. Folksong Versions 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
*618, 249 (Wexford, 1939) 
*645, 37 (Galway, 1939) 
*736, 300 (Cork, 1940) 
S108, 189 (Mayo, c. 1938) 
MacDonagh 
BBC LP24842 (Down, 1955) (recording) 
Ulster Folk Museum (Belfast), 
Shields Coll., T-1969-13/UCLA T7-73-20(Derry, 
1969) 
T-1970-5/UCLA T7-73-31 (Down, 1970) 
Karpeles, Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 169 
Kidson, English Peasant Songs 
Stubbs, Life~ Man, 20 
Sussex Harvest, Topic12T258 (recording) 
Greig, Folk-Song~ North-East, LXXVII 
RLP 12-608 (recording) 
S. Henry, no. 162 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Thompson, 59 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 56 
Wilgus-Long 
747 
CANADA I 0 
The Lady's trip to Kennady. 
There was a gallant lady, 
All in her tender years, 
She was courted by a sailor, 
'Twas true she lov'd him dear; 
And how to get to sea with him, 
The way she did not know, 
She fain would see the pretty place 
Call'd Kennady-i-o. 
She bargain'd with a sailor, 
All for a purse of gold; 
And soon they did convey the lady, 
Down into the hold; 
Then dress'd she up in sailor's clothes, 
The colours are true blue, 
You soon shall see the pretty place 
Call'd Kennady-i-o. 
When her true-love he came to hear, 
It put him in a rage 
And all the whole ship's company 
His passion to engage; 
I'll tie you hand and foot, my love, 
And overboard you'll go, 
You ne'er shall see the pretty place 
Call'd Kennady-i-o. 
Out then spoke our Captain bold, 
Such things shall never be, 
For if we drown this lady, 
Then hanged we will be; 
We'll dress her up in sailor's clothes, 
The colours are true blue, 
And she soon shall see the pretty place 
Call'd Kennady-i-o. 
She had not been in Kennady 
Scarcely half a year, 
Till the Captain he married her, 
And he made her his dear; 
She dresses in silks and satins, 
And she cuts a gallant show, 
She's the grandest Captain's lady 
That's in Kennady-i-o. 
748 
Come all you pretty fair maids, 
A warning take by me 
Be loyal to your husbands 
In every degree; 
For if the Mate deceiv'd me, 
The Captain he's prov'd true, 
And the Captain he's prolong'd my days 
For wearing the true blue. 
Marshall, Printer, Newcastle. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. II, BS 15 
749 
CANADA I 0 
Canadee-i-o 
It was of a fair and pretty maid 
She was in her tender care, 
She dearly lov'd a sailor, 
It was true she lov'd him well, 
And how to get to sea with him 
She did not like why know, 
But she long'd to see that seaport town 
Call'd Canadee-i-o. 
She bargain'd with a young sailor 
All for a piece of gold, 
And straightway he led her 
All down into the hold, 
Saying, 'I will dress you up in sailor's clothes, 
Your collar shall be blue, 
And you shall see that seaport town 
Call'd Canadee-i-o. 
Now when the sailors heard of it, 
They fell into a row, 
And all the whole ship's company 
Were willing to engage; 
'We'll tie her hands and feet, my boys, 
And overboard we'll throw, 
She never will see that seaport town 
Call'd Canadee-i-o.' 
Now when the captain heard of this, 
He too fell in a rage, 
Saying, 'If you drown that fair maid 
All hanged you will be; 
I will dress her up in sailor's clothes, 
Her collar will be blue, 
And she will see that seaport town 
Call'd Canadee-i-o.' 
She had not been in Canada 
Scarcely above half a year, 
She married this bold captain 
Who call'd her his dear; 
She's dress'd in silks and satins now, 
She cuts a galliant show, 
She's the finest captain's lady 
In Canadee-i-o. 
750 
Now come all you fair and pretty maids, 
Wherever you may be; 
I will have you to follow your true love 
When he goes out to sea; 
If the sailors they prove false to you, 
The captain he'll prove true, 
You can see the honour that I have gain'd 
By wearing of the blue. 
751 
84. THE DUBLIN TRAGEDY 
The Dublin Tragedy, Or the 
Unfortunate Merchant's Daughter 
Ye lovers far and near, unto me lend an ear, 
Whilst I relate a doleful tragedy, 
'Twill make your hearts to bleed, when I do proceed, 
It's known full well to be no falsity. 
A Belfast merchant's daughter is courted by a young ensign 
who says that "grim death" will be his "sad physician" if 
she does not marry him. She admits that she loves him and 
goes with him in "men's array." They marry at "Stratford 
town" and sail for England. They are sent to America and 
serve at "Fort Montgomery" and are captured "with Burgeyn." 
After their release, they sail for England. He steals her 
"watch and money" and goes to Dublin where he marries. She 
goes to Dublin and finds him. When he refuses to admit that 
he knows her, she poisons herself. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
New York Public Library/Research Division, 
NCK, Erin Machree &c. (The Dublin Tragedy) 
Dublin. Sold at the Wholesale and Retail 
School Book Warehouse, 3, Mary-street. 
(Richard Grace, 1818-32) 
Trinity College Dublin, 
66.u.165 
752 
THE DUBLIN TRAGEDY 
The Dublin Tragedy, 
Or the Unfortunate Merchant's Daughter, 
in two parts. 
Part I. Setting forth a brief and authentic account of a rich 
Merchant's Daughter in the town of Belfast, who was deluded by an 
Ensign in the army, and for love of him, dressed herself in man's 
apparel, and saild with him to England, and were married at 
Stratford. 
Part II. How she bought a Lieutenant's Connnission for him and 
became an Ensign herslef and soon after went to America; also giving 
an account of their hardships whilst in an American Prison, shewing 
how after their return to Ireland, she was slighted by her false 
lover, and afterwards poisoned herself for his sake. 
To which is added, 
The Answer to Roslin Castle. 
Money is your Friend. 
Dublin. Sold at the Wholesale and Retail School Book Warehouse, 
3, Mary-street. 
The Dublin Tragedy, 
Or the unfortunate Merchant's Daughter, &c. 
Ye lovers far and near, unto me lend an ear, 
Whilst I relate a doleful tragedy, 
'Twill make your hearts to bleed, when I do proceed, 
It's known full well to be no falsity. 
In Felfast as we hear, a merchant lived there, 
Posses'd of wealth in riches did abound, 
He had a daughter fair, who was his only care, 
Her fortune it was full two thousand pounds. 
She was a beauty bright, lovely in each sight, 
And courted was by men of high degree; 
But none of them could move her tender heart to love, 
Their suit she still refus'd with modesty. 
At th' age of seventeen, young cupid sly and keen, 
His winged arrow did with speed prepare; 
And by a subtle dart, shortly she felt the smart, 
A young ensign soon did her heart ensnare. 
Once upon a day, this young man he did say, 
Fairest of creatures will you marry me? 
If you my suit deny, sweet angel he did cry, 
Grim death my sad physician soon will be. 
753 
My father, sir, said she, might use severity, 
If I should yield to be your wedded wife, 
On that account therefore, I pray persist no more, 
I'm rather young to join a married life. 
Said he sweet lady fair, oh, be not too severe, 
I earnestly implore you'll pity me, 
If you are not my wife, this blade shall end my life 
At which he drew his sword immediately. 
This sad and doleful sight the lady did affright, 
Her trembling arms round his neck she threw, 
Saying my dearest dear, I will not be severe, 
My love no longer I'll conceal from you. 
But now my love said she, how will this matter be, 
When that my father he does come to know, 
If you disloyal be, or inconstant to me, 
My tender heart will break with grief and woe. 
If I prove false said he or inconstant to thee, 
May cruel fortune on me still attend; 
And may I never thrive, or prosper while alive, 
But make my exit by a shameful end. 
They liv'd in sweet content, but now observe at length, 
His regiment got orders for to sail; 
Over to Old England as we understand, 
Which made this charming lady to bewail. 
But they contrived it so, that she with him might go, 
For to disguise herself a way she did invent; 
Dress'd in man's array, upon that very day, 
As passenger on board she went. 
Rich jewels and gold rings, with other costly things, 
She brought besides the sum of two thousand pounds. 
Then quickly sail'd o'er, bound to the English shore, 
And soon arriv'd in fair Plymouth Sound. 
As soon as they did land, they march'd out of hand, 
Then to wed this couple did prepare; 
And without more delay, he and his lady gay, 
In stratford town they quickly married were. 
Then with what gold they brought, they both commissions bought, 
She was an ensign, he a lieutenant, 
Not long they did remain, they sail'd again, 
Straight to America the regiment went. 
PART II. 
In nine long weeks or more they reach'd that bloody shore, 
Where hostile danger raged on every side, 
Nothing but smoke and fire seen thro' wood and mire, 
But providence for them did still provide. 
754 
Thro' winter's frost and snow she with her love did go, 
And for his sake all dangers did defy, 
She often times did yield to lie in open fields, 
With nothing for her covering but the sky. 
At Fort Montgomery she acted gallantly, 
Likewise at Saratoga bore command, 
And there at length we find was taken with Burgeyn, 
Tho' like a valiant soldier she did stand. 
Then they were march'd along and put in prison strong, 
Hunger and hardships there they did endure, 
Dark walls did 'em surround no help could be found, 
For their distress alas! there was no cure. 
When they releas'd were to England they did steer, 
Where he and she agreed for to sell out, 
And there this lieutenant a scheme did soon invent, 
To rob his loyal comrade without doubt. 
One morning he arose and putting on his clothes 
He tok her watch and money as were told, 
Then left her to bewail and speedily did set sail, 
For Ireland with all her store of gold. 
In Dublin city he married speedily, 
And kept a grocer's shop it is well known, 
Whilst his poor comrade in England it si said, 
Was forced to beg her bread from town to town. 
She ventur'd home once more to her native shore 
And in short time arrived in Dublin town, 
By searching here and there from place to place we hear, 
In Nassau-street there her love she found. 
With heart opprest with woe she unto him did go 
Expecting he would give her some relief, 
But for to ease her mind no comfort she could find 
This savage man only encreas'd her grief. 
Pray who are you said he that seems to make so free, 
I never saw you in my life before, 
Don't come to trouble me begone immediately, 
And never let me see your face once more. 
Perfidious man said she when you deluded me, 
I might have had a match of high degree, 
Yet for the love of you much hardships I went thro' 
Thus I'm rewarded for my loyalty. 
Then from his door she went in doleful discontent, 
In floods of tears she wept most bitterly, 
Crying oh! perjured man I'll do the worst I can, 
Alive or dead revenged on you I'll be. 
Some halfpence she had got with which she poison bought, 
Then to a cellar went most speedily, 
Where in a pint of beer which she purchas'd there, 
She drank the woeful draught immediately. 
755 
When she had done the same she did go back again, 
Vowing revenge unto him for the deed; 
Her cruel lover then, straight for the watch did send, 
To St. Anne's Watch-house she was sent with speed. 
And there she did relate, all their misfortunes great, 
At length her body it began to sweel, 
Then with a hollow tone, she gave a deadly groan, 
And to this sinful world bid farewell. 
Young men of each degree, and maids where'er ye be, 
By this example her a warning take; 
Still to your vows be true, a blessing will ensue, 
So ne'er disdain your love for riches' sake. 
New York Public Library/Research Division, NCK (Coll. of Irish 
Chapbooks) 
756 
85. WOUNDED NANCY'S RETURN 
Wounded Nancy's Return. 
'Twas after a long and tedious voyage 
Young Nancy came from the cruel wars, 
Where, in the cause of king and country, 
She gloried in her wounds and scars. 
All side by side with her own true love, 
This brave young lass fought valiantly; 
And, with a courage most undaunted, 
Followed up the enemy. 
"Clad in male attire," Nancy sets sail with her lover, go-
ing with him into battle "on a coal-black gelding mounted." 
She charges with him and fights "for many hours" until she 
receives a wound and falls behind. Her true love continues 
to fight until "the foe turned right about," then he re-
turns to look for Nancy whom he finds exhorting her com-
rades. He carries her from the field and watches over her 
until she recovers. They return to England and marry, and 
Nancy doffs "her manly garments." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Logan, Peddlar's Pack, 97 
J. Davenport-,~3~Compass Court, Cow-
Cross, West Smithfield, London. (1795-1805) 
Roth and Jolley, War Ballads, no. 31 
757 
WOUNDED NANCY'S RETURN 
Wounded Nancy's Return. 
'Twas after a long and tedious voyage 
Young Nancy came from the cruel wars, 
Where, in the cause of king and country, 
She gloried in her wounds and scars. 
All side by side with her own true love, 
This brave young lass fought valiantly; 
And, with a courage most undaunted, 
Followed up the enemy. 
All clad in male attire, sweet Nancy 
With her lover had set sail; 
She said that only death should part them; 
Dissuasions were of no avail. 
No sooner landed than came orders 
For our regiment to go 
On the sudden forward boldly 
To repel the haughty foe. 
A sorrowing smile gave Nancy's true love 
As we into the field did ride, 
With courage and strong resolution 
To subdue the foeman's pride. 
All on a coal-black gelding mounted, 
With a glittering sword in hand, 
Young Nancy looked so smart and noble, 
Waiting our officers' command. 
And, drawn up in line of battle, 
Eager for the coming fray, 
No sooner did the cannons rattle, 
Than Nancy trembled in dismay. 
But ere long her nerves grew stronger, 
And Forward! was the battle-cry; 
Said she aloud, Why should we falter? 
We'll be conquerors or die! 
Then onward with our troopers rushing, 
Sword in hand she cleared the way: 
For many hours in equal balance 
Hung the fortunes of the day. 
Her true love was a handsome serjeant, 
Who so manfully did ride; 
Shielding her from all the dangers 
Which came thick on every side. 
758 
Still in the very heat of action 
Young Nancy she received a wound, 
Which drove her lover to distraction, 
As down she fell upon the ground. 
He dared not stay to yield her succour, 
As charging foremost in the fight; 
One anxious look he cast behind him, 
But the smoke obscured his sight. 
In reckless manner plunging onward, 
The frightened foe turned right about; 
And following up our great advantage, 
We put them utterly to rout. 
Our serjeant, who ne'er shirked his duty, 
From pursuit returning late; 
Fatigued, he hastened quite downhearted, 
To ascertain young Nancy's fate. 
There amid the dead and dying, 
Some kindly hand a couch had made; 
And patiently was Nancy lying, 
Cheering those around her laid. 
While her wound was being tended, 
Said she, Frail mortals that we are--
There's small occasion to be daunted, 
'Tis but the accident of war. 
When she saw her true love bending 
O'er her couch with streaming eyes, 
She said, Don't weep--still let us trust in 
God who rules our destinies. 
From the field he gently bore her, 
And by her side watched night and day; 
Till returning health came o'er her, 
And safely she could come away. 
Then to England home returning 
With such joyous hearts and light, 
For their valour both rewarded 
Were with glory's stars bedight. 
Doffing then her manly garments, 
Nancy sought a happy life; 
In presence of her former comrades, 
She became the serjeant's wife. 
(Logan, p. 97: "'Wounded Nancy's Return' was printed and 
sold by J. Davenport, 3 Compass Court, Cow-Cross, 
West Smithfield, London, circa 1780.") 
759 
WOUNDED NANCY'S RETURN 
Wounded Nancy's Return 
A New Song. 
Twas after a long and tedious voyage, 
Young Nancy came from the cruel wars, 
A fighting for her king and Country, 
With many a wound and many a scar 
She with her true love did fight so bravely, 
All by his side so valiant and true. 
This brave young lass was never daunted, 
But after her enemy she did persue. 
This female hero then went with her true love. 
With a fair wind they then set sail, 
Kind Neptune he then befriend them, 
With a kind and pleasant gale. 
The enemy then for to meet them 
It was our orders for to go. 
All for to do our best endeavour 
To humble the proud and haughty foe. 
When this young couple they arrived, 
Unto the field they then did go 
With courage and a resolution, 
They boldly faced the daring foe. 
Nancy was mounted on a black gelding 
With a glittering sword drawn in her hands, 
This brave young lass did look quite noble, 
She obeyed her officers connnands. 
And drawn up in a line of battle 
We then was ordered for to fight 
But when she heard the cannons rattle 
It put this young female into a fright, 
But soon her senses she recovered 
And said fight on my lads so true, 
For while life remains I'll never be daunted, 
I hope we shal conquor the insulting foe. 
760 
For several hours this engagement lasted, 
Young Nancy fought most courageously, 
Twas for the honour of your king and country, 
She fought to subdue the enemy. 
Her true love, this gay handsome serjeant 
He all the while fought by her side, 
This gay young lass did look quite noble 
As on her black gelding she did ride. 
But in the very heat of action 
Young Nancy she received a wound, 
Which drove her lover to distraction, 
She from her horse fell to the ground, 
And while her wound it was a dressing 
She said to the surgeon, Sir, I don't fear, 
It is no use for to be daunted, 
For I see it is the fortune of the war. 
Now all you young lads, likewise ye lasses, 
You plainly see what love can do, 
Altho' her lover he did persuade her, 
Yet along with she then would go. 
She valued neither storm not dangers, 
But boldly ventured life and limb, 
She was resolved to follow her true love 
For the true love she bore for him. 
(Roth and Jolley, p. 1: "The greater part of these 
handbills appear to have been issued in Halifax 
from the well known press of E. Jacobs •••• ") 
761 
86. SUSAN'S ADVENTURES IN A BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR 
(Susan's Adventures in a British Man-of-War; 
Susan's Adventures in a Man of War; On Board of 
a Man of War) 
Susan's Adventures in a Man-of-War. 
Young Susan was a blooming maid, 
So valiant stout and bold, 
And when her sailor went on board, 
Young Susan we are told, 
Put on a jolly sailor's dress, 
And daubed her hands with tar, 
To cross the raging seas for love, 
On board of a man-of-war. 
With 900 men, including her "sweet William," Susan serves 
"like a jolly sailor bold, fearing neither wound or scar." 
They travel to "the Bay of Biscay" and face "the walls of 
Chin" where she is "slightly wounded" by a cannon ball. 
When she falls on deck, and William goes to her assistance, 
she reveals herself to him. "At length," they return to 
England, marry, and "often think upon that day, when she 
received a scar." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
G. Jacques, Oldham-road Library, Manchester. 
(c.1840) 
54-784, I 
G. Jacques, Oldham-road Library, Manchester. 
(c. 1840) 
25242.17, III, 39 
Paul and Co., Printers, 2 and 3, Monmouth-
Court, Seven Dials. (1838-45) 
25242 .17, IV, 108 
25242.17, IV, 122 
25242.17, VI, 200 
J. Cadman, 152 
and Sold by H. 
Street, Leeds. 
25242.17, VII, 156 
Great Ancoats St., Manchester 
Andrews, 27, St. Peter's 
(1850-55) 
Ryle and Co., Printers, 2 and 3, Monmouth 
Court, Seven Dials. (1845-59) 
25242.17, XII, 96 
H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 177(late 123) 
762 
Union-street, Boro',--SE (c.1869) 
25242.74, Bluebound book, 52 
Uncat. BSS, 
Devonport: Printed and Sold by Elias 
Keyes. Sold also by R. Stone, Exeter; 
A. Brown, General Dealer, 27, Bristol-
Bridge, Bristol; and by S. Reed, Newport, 
Monmouthshire. (1825-55) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, II 
Harkness, Printer, Church-street, Preston. 
(1839-60) 
Uncat. BSS, IV 
Harkness, Printer, Church-street, Preston. 
(1839-60) 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
If 605 
Printed by W.S. Fortey, 2 and 3 Monmouth 
Court, Seven Dials, London. (1849-82) 
Yale, 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, I, 5 
Birt, Printer, 39, Great st. 
Seven Dials. 
B. Folksong Versions 
Kidson, Trad. Tunes, 102 
Andrew Street, 
(1829-41) 
Kidson and Moffat, Folk Songs from North Country 
Greig-Duncan, 479, no. 179 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 95 
763 
SUSAN'S ADVENTURES IN A BRITISH MAN OF WAR 
Susan's Adventures in a British Man of War. Answer 
to the British Man of War. 
Printed and Sold Wholesale and Retail, by G. Jacques, Oldham-road 
Library, Manchester. 
Young Susan was a blooming maid, so valiant, stout, and bold, 
And when her sailor went on board, young susan, we are told 
Put on a jolly sailor's dress, and daub'd her face with tar, 
To cross the raging seas for love, on board of a man of war. 
It was in Portsmouth harbour this giant ship was moor'd 
And when young Susan shipped there was 900 men on board, 
It was then she was contented, all bedaubed with the pitch and tar, 
To be with her sweet William on board of a man of war. 
They washed the decks, both fore and aft, in winds and tempests cold. 
With her hands so soft she went aloft like a jolly sailor bold. 
She kept her place with her pretty face bedaubed with pitch and tar, 
And no one Susan did suspect on board of a man of war 
When in the bay of Biscay, she aloft like lightning flew 
Respected by the officers and all the jovial crew, 
In battle she would boldly run, fearing wound nor scar, 
And done her duty by the gun on board of a man of war. 
She faced the walls of China where her life was not insured 
And little did young William think his Susan was on board, 
By a cannon ball from the batteries she did receive a scar, 
And she got slightly wounded, on board of a man of war. 
When on the deck young Susan fell, of all the whole ship's crew, 
Her William was the very first to her assistance flew, 
She said my jolly sailor I've for you received a scar, 
Behold your faithful Susan on board of a man of war. 
Then William on his Susan gazed, with wonder & surprise 
He stood some moments motionless while tears stood in his eyes, 
He cried--I wish instead of you I had received that scar, 
Oh, love, why did you venture on board of a man of war. 
At length to England they returned and quickly married were, 
The bells did ring and they did sing and banish every care, 
They often think upon that day when she received a scar, 
When Susan followed her true love on board of a man of war. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. I, BS 322. 
764 
87. THE FROLICSOME MAID, WHO WENT TO GIBRALTER 
The Frolicsome Maid, Who Went to Gibralter, and 
from a Single Soldier turn'd a Captain, and yet 
Chaste. 
It's out of a frolic, this love did begin, 
I was courted at fifteen by a jolly brisk drum, 
He promis'd me marriage, but after refus'd, 
My youthful affection that wretch did abuse. 
After finding that her love comes "for no other intention 
than to beat on [her] drum," she dresses "in man's apparel" 
and joins the army. She chooses her faithless lover for 
her comrade. She spends three months as a soldier. She 
fears "being betray'd," but smiles every time she pulls 
off her "breeches" to think how she'd "lien by a man all 
the while." Her comrade is "draghted ',' and she offers to 
go with him, but the "captain" says no. She tells the 
"press-master" that her name is "Johnston," and she is 
from "Chester." In Gibralter she guards "o'er that Tower" 
and becomes an ensign. In a tavern she hears that "Don-
ald" is to be wed. She goes to his room and orders him 
"home" and has the damsel taken out of town and married 
"to one of our drums." "Seven years and better" she has 
been a Captain and intends to bestow her "commission" on 
her faithless comrade who "a private does go." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25274.2, XXVIII, 8 (Duke of Gordon's Three 
Daughters) (c.1760) 
25274.2, XXVIII, 41 (Duke of Gordon's Three 
Daughters) (c.1760) 
765 
THE FROLICSOME MAID, WHO WENT TO GIBRALTER 
The Duke of Gordon's Three Daughters. To which are added, 
John Uproars Chant, and The frolicsome Maid, who went to 
Gibralter, and from a single Soldier turn'd a Captain, and 
yet Chaste. 
Entered according to Order. 
The Frolicsome Maid, who went to Gibralter, and from a single 
Soldier turn'd a Captain, and yet Chaste. 
It's out of a frolic, this love did begin, 
I was courted at fifteen by a jolly brisk drum, 
He promis'd me marriage, but after refus'd, 
My youthful affection that wretch did abuse. 
As soon as I found my love did me slight, 
For all his good promises, he bade me good night, 
I found by his carriage he only was come, 
For no other intention than to beat on my drum. 
Then in man's apparel soon dressed was I, 
And straight for the army then I did fly; 
So like a bold soldier then enlisted was I, 
Resolving on my love, my valour to try. 
Then to the barracks they ordered me home, 
The sergeant conducted me to my lover's room, 
I chose for my comrade that faithless young man, 
My secrets I'll keep from them all if I can. 
These three months and better, a soldier I've been, 
Afraid every moment of being betray'd; 
When I pull'd off my breeches, to myself I wou'd smile, 
To think how I'd lien by a man all the while. 
In six months thereafter then draughted were we, 
My comrade was draughted, those thoughts grieved me; 
I threw down my arms, and said, I would go 
Volunteer with my comrade, but my Captain said no. 
The press-master ask'd me, from whence I came? 
I told him from Chester, Johnston was my name; 
It's throw down your arms, for since it is so, 
I vow a bold soldier, on board he shall go. 
766 
Then I in Gibralter stood guard o'er that Tower, 
Where every man there stands his own hour, 
Our General then told me preferred was I, 
From a soldier to an ensign, my colours to fly. 
One day in the tavern a drinking of wine, 
With many more gentlemen of that same line, 
I called for Donald, wher's Donald, I said? 
The answer they made me, he's gone to be wed. 
I call'd for a candle, and likewise a man, 
To go and find Donald for me if you can; 
The man being ingenious, and searching the town 
He quickly conducted me to my love's room. 
Then to the barracks I ordered him home, 
The guard house, or land post shall sure be his doom, 
And convoy'd this damsel quite out of the town, 
I gave her a guinea to buy a new gown. 
The very next quarters that ever we came, 
I married that girl to one of our drums, 
And finding the girl both loyal and true, 
I gave her my linens to wash and to do. 
Seven years and better a Captain I've been, 
You may know all that while what a fortune I've won, 
But now my connnission I intend to bestow 
On my faithless comrade who a private does go. 
FINIS. 
Harvard, 25242.2, Vol. XXVIII,Ch. 8. 
767 
88. THE FEMALE WARRIOR (II) (N-4) 
(The Female Warrior; The Female Sea-Captain, 
or The Painful Damsel; The Valiant Maiden; 
The Beauty of Baltimore; The Bold Damosel; 
The Rainbow; Aboard the Resolution; Pretty 
Polly; As We Were A-Sailing; The Rich Damsel) 
The Valiant Maiden. 
A story a Story to you I will tell, 
'Tis of a brisk Damsel in London did dwell, 
'Tis of a brisk Damsel, the truth you shall hear, 
Who ventur'd her life for the sake of her dear. 
Dressing "herself in men's array," she goes aboard ship and 
after "three years and of the fourth a part," she learns 
"the mariner's art." When an enemy ship is spied, a battle 
ensues, and the woman "fights them so courageously with 
both sword and gun." When the captain is slain, "this 
fair maid" takes over the command urging the men to fight 
"or jump overboard." After the victory is gained, they 
return to England where she "laid up her Ship and paid off 
her men." Drinking a toast, she reveals herself to "her 
Honey," they are wed after "the King did allow her a 
Thousand a Year." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25252.6, G.55 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
Cat. BSS, Harris 40361 
Royal Irish Academy, 
12.Bl.12 
(c.1800) 
American Songster (1829, 1835, and 1836), 245 
B. Folksong Versions 
Harvard, 
25262.2, Murison MS, 4 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
*976, p. 215 (Kerry) 
Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and 
Language Archive, 
768 
Leach Coll., #llA (St. Vincent's, Nfld.) 
66-24; C259 (Cow Head, Nfld.) 
Doerflinger, 143 
Eddy, 145 
Gardner and Chickering, 220 
Mackenzie, 223 
Christie, II, 176 
JFSS, II, 180 
JFSS, VIII, 222 
Kidson, G~rl~nd, 100 
Ranson, 124 
Williams, 261 
Greig-Duncan, 482, no. 180 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division, 
"Orderly Book of Thomas Cole," Boston, 1778, Item 
64 Handbook AC966 
II. CATALOGUES 
Dean-Smith, 47 
Laws, 203 
Rosenberg, 35, no. 397 
Wilgus-Long 
769 
THE FEMALE WARRIOR (II) (N-4) 
The New Play-House Garland: Containing several of the best New 
Songs. I. A new Song before the Royal Family. II. The Female Sea-
Captain; or, the painful Damsel. III. A new Play-house song, in 
the Beggars Opera IV. The Tradesman's Resolution. 
Licensed and Enter'd according to Order. 
The Female Sea-Captain; or, The painful Damsel. 
Come all you Damsels of Sunderland fair, 
Come listen a while, I will to you declare; 
It's of a brisk Damsel, as now you shall hear. 
Who ventur'd her Life for the Sake of her Dear. 
Then in Man's Apparel well rigged was she, 
She was gallantly rigged and fit for the sea; 
She was gallantly riggee in Royal State, 
And on board the sweet William she shipped herswelf straight. 
This Damsel was brought up to write and to read, 
And also to cypher, if she stood in need; 
She served him two Twelve-months with all her whole Heart, 
So bravely she learned the Mariner's Art. 
She served him two Twelve-months, two Twelvemonths and more, 
At length they steer'd from fair England's Shore, 
They 'spied a proud Frechman stand off in the Main, 
Which caused them to hoist up their Top-sails again. 
Come let us be merry Boys, let our Hearts live, 
And often our Enemies let us observe: 
We soon overtook them on the Ocean so wide, 
The first Salutation was a Broad-side. 
They gave us another as good as we sent, 
And to sink each other it was our intent; 
But in the second Broad-side our Captain was slain, 
And this Damsel was forced in his Room to remain. 
We fought them four Hours in Battle so rare, 
We scarce had a man in our ship that could steer, 
We scarce had a Man that could fire a Gun, 
Till at length the Blood out of their Scoppers did run. 
770 
Then Quarter, Oh! Quarter, the Frenchmen they cry'd, 
No Quarter, no Quarter, the Damsel reply'd, 
You have the best Quarters' can you afford, 
You must either Sink, or all come on board. 
We sunk the proud Frenchman in the Ocean so wide, 
The Ship she carried fifty Brass Guns in her Side; 
And our goodly Ship carried just Thirty-three, 
So bravely we overcome our Enemy. 
Come let us away for Old England with speed, 
Sweet William he knew not his true love indeed; 
Nor did she make herself known unto him, 
Till she had laid up her ship, and paid off the men. 
Come let us be merry Boys, here's a Glass of good Wine 
You may drink to your true Love, and I'll drink to mine, 
You may drink to the gallant brisk Damsel of Fame, 
That went Captain of the New Frigate by Name, 
With that the Colour struck into his Face, 
He could not speak for a pretty long Space; 
He call'd her his Honey, his Joy, and his Dear, 
She said, it was true Love that bid me not hear. 
So if you any more of the Ditty will hear, 
The King he gave to her one Hundred a Year, 
All for to maintain her in Raiment of Gold, 
Because she fought with a Courage so bold. 
Harvard, 25252.6, Garland 55 
771 
THE FEMALE WARRIOR (II) (N-4) 
Valiant Maiden together with 
The Rake and Roving Boy 
The Valiant Maiden. 
A story a Story to you I will tell, 
'Tis of a brisk Darnel in London did dwell, 
'Tis of a brisk Damsel, the truth you shall hear, 
Who ventur'd her life for the sake of her dear. 
Then in Man's Attire well rigged was she, 
And gallantly cloathed and fit for the Sea; 
0 she cloathed herself in decent estate, 
On board the Ship William she shipt herself strait. 
Nothing would put this fair maid in a fright, 
She lay betwixt two Men every Night, 
It sore did surprize her, and made her Heart fear, 
She had beauty to spare, but it did not appear. 
This fair Maid was taught to write and to read, 
And finely could cypher if she had need, 
She served two twelvemonths with a free heart, 
And so bravely she learned the Mariners Art. 
After two twelvemonths time it was o'er, 
Resolved she was to return to the shore, 
But we espied a French Admiral plowing the main, 
Which caused us to hoist up our Top sails again. 
Boys let us be merry and let us be true. 
And after our Enemies let us pursue. 
We soon overtook them on the Ocean wide, 
And for a Salutation gave them a Broadside. 
They gave us another as good as we sent, 
To sink one another it was our intent, 
The second Broad-side our Captain was slain, 
And this fair Maid is forc'd in his place to remain. 
We fought them four hours in battle so near, 
We scarce had a man in the ship that could steer, 
We scarce had a man that could fire a Gun, 
At length the blood out of the Scuppers did run. 
772 
0 Quarters! 0 Quarters! you stout English boys, 
No Quarters, no Quarters this fair Maid replies, 
You have the best Quarters which I can afford 
You must either sink or jump over board. 
We drown'd all the Frenchmen in their great pride, 
Whose ship carried fifty bright Guns of a side, 
While our ship carried but twenty and three, 
Yet so bravely we overcame our Enemy. 
Now let us return to Old England with speed, 
Sweet William he knew not his true Love indeed, 
Nor she never discover'd herself unto him, 
1Til she had laid up her Ship and paid off the men. 
Boys let's drink at parting here's a glass of good wine 
You drink to your true love and I'll drink to mine, 
Here's a health to that noble brisk Damsel of fame, 
The Captain on board the ship William by Name. 
With that his Colour flew up in his Face, 
He had not the power to speak for a space, 
She call'd him her Honey, her Joy and her Dear, 
And said I'm thy true Love, and bid him not fear. 
This couple were wedded with speed as we hear, 
0 the King did allow her a Thousand a Year, 
All for to maintain her in garments of gold, 
Because that she fought with a Courage so bold. 
Brown University/ John Hay Library, Harris 40361 
773 
THE FEMALE WARRIOR (II) (N-4) 
A Story A Story to you i will tell 
Tis of a Rich Damsell in London did Dwell 
Its of a Rich Damsell the Truth you shall hear 
Who Venturd hir Life for the sake of hir dear 
its in mens atire well Riged was she 
and Galantly clothed all fit for the Sea 
She Dressed herself in Desent astate 
on Board the Ship William she shipt hir self strait 
And Nothing would put this fair maid in a frite 
She Lies Betwene two men every night 
it seam to seprise hir and make hir heart fear 
She had Beauty to spear But it Did not Appear 
This fair maid was taut for to Rite and to Read 
And finly to sifer if she had nead 
She served a twelvemonth it was with a Brave heart 
So Bravely She larned the maraners art 
Library of Congress/Manuscript Division - Thomas Cole, Orderly 
Book of Thomas Cole, at Headquarters, Boston, Massachusetts, 
1777-78, p. 3v. (Item 64, Handbook, AC966) 
774 
THE FEMALE WARRIOR (II) (N-4) 
Female Warrior. 
A story, a story, to you I will tell, 
Concerning a damsel, in Baltimore did dwell, 
As beautiful a creature as ever you did see, 
And she ventur'd her life for the sake of her dear. 
She dress'd herself in men's array, all fitting for the sea, 
On board of the Union, she ship'd herself away, 
She served 3 years, and of the 4th a part, 
'Till at length she had learned the mariner's art. 
And its 1st when she landed on the brave Scottish shore, 
Where drums they do rattle, and cannons loudly roar, 
She espied a British admiral, a playing on the main, 
Which caused her to haul on her topsails again. 
The 1st salutation she gave them a broadside, 
The 2nd salutation her brave captain was slain; 
She fought them so courageously with both sword and gun, 
That at length through the portholes the blood began to run. 
For quarters, for quarters, the enemy did cry, 
No quarters, no quarters the damsel did reply, 
The very best quarters that I can afford, 
Is to fight, sink, or swim, my boys, or jump overboard. 
And 'tis now we've gained the victory, let's take a glass of 
wine, 
Here's a health to your true love, and for forgetting mine; 
And here's also a health to the girl reknown'd by fame, 
She's captain on board of the ship Union by name. 
The American Songster (New York: N.C. Nafis, 1829), p. 245. (UCLA/SC) 
775 
THE FEMALE WARRIOR (II) (N-4) 
Nancy Q? or A? Pearl "(This represents the sound, 
whatever maybe the sense)" 
1. Nancy, a pearl, wee! rigged was she, 
She was wee! rigged an bound for the sea; 
She was wee! rigged, in royal state, 
An' aboard wi' sweet William, she placed herself mate. 
2. The girl was learned to read and to write 
Of all the sea business she had ta'en in head 
She sailed on for six months, for six months at hand, 
Till we was determined to return to the land. 
3. When we spied a French admir (admiral?) was ploughting 
the main 
Which caused them hoise up their top sails again. 
So let us be loyal, boys, an' let us be true, 
An after oar enemies so bold as we'll pursue. 
4. And we'll soon overtake them i' the middle o' their pride 
An' oar first salutation we'll gie them a broadside. 
At the second broadside our captain was slain, 
An' the girl in his station an' there she does remain. 
5. We focht for six oars in hot battle so near 
Till scarce a man on board oar goodly ship could steer, 
Our goodly ship could steer an' yet could fire a gun 
An oat at their scofer the red blood did run. 
6. 0 quarters! 0 quarters! ye brave British clan! 
0 quarters! 0 quarters! ye brave British clan! 
0 quarters, says the girl, yes hae the best we can afford, 
What's to fecht, or be slain, or else leap overboard. 
7. She never told it to ane, nor she told it to one, 
Till she laid up yer ship an' paid off her men 
Let us be merry boys & take a glass o' wine: 
Drink ye to your love an' I'll drink to mine; 
An' here's to the lassie on the Sunderlain' faem 
'At's ventured her life for young William by name 
8. So William's colour flew a' in his face 
An' he cudna speak for a pretty long space 
She's taen him in her arms an' ca'ed him her oney an' her dear 
Since that I'm yours, love, you needna to fear. 
776 
9. Now they are got married, just as we do hear 
The king he allows them some thousand a year. 
An' now she wears the silks all trimmed ur' gold 
An' it's a' for her fechtin wi' her courage sae bold. 
Harvard 25262.2, Murison Manuscript, "Pieces collected in Old 
Deer, Scotland, by Mrs. A.F. Murison for Prof. Child", p. 4 
777 
89. MARY AMBREE 
(Mary Ambree; Mary Aumbra; Marye Aumbree; 
Mary Ambree, an Old Ballad; The Valarous Acts 
Performed at Gaunt ... by Mary Ambree; The Siege 
of Gaunt: or, the Valorous Acts of Mary Ambree) 
Mary Ambree: An Old Ballad. 
When captains courageous, whom death could not daunt, 
Did march to the siege of the city of Gaunt, 
They muster'd the soldiers by two and by three, 
And foremost in battle was Mary Ambree. 
She vows revenge when her "true lover" is slain. Clothing 
herself "from the top to the toe, in buff of the bravest," 
she bids "all such as would be of her band." "Thousand 
and three" respond, and she leads them against three times 
their number." For each of her own men "a score killed 
she," and when her "false gunner" spends all her "pellets 
and powder," she slashes "him in three." Betrayed, she 
retires to a castle where her foes hold her in siege. 
"Mounting the walls," she dares her foes to fight her. 
When they are about to take her prisoner thinking her a 
"knight of England," she reveals herself. Her captors 
applaud her valor. The "prince of Great Parma" offers 
her presents to woo her, but she says that she will "ne'er 
sell [her] honour." She returns to her country "still 
holding the foes of fair England in scorn." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
pEB75P4128C, no. 250 
Printed and Sold in Bow-Church-Yard, 
London. (Dicey, 1736-63) 
New York Public Library/Research Division, 
NACM+, Manchester Free Lib. Coll. (facs.), 14 
London Printed for W. Gilbertson in Gilt-
spur-Street. (1640-45) 
Cambridge, 
Madden Co 11 • , I I I , no . 7 9 7 , p • 1 9 9 
Printed for Joseph Hinson, at the Sun and 
Bible in Giltspur-street near Pye Corner. 
(c.1720) 
Bagford Ballads, I, 308 
778 
Printed for W. Thackeray at the Angel in 
Duck-lane. (1664-92) 
The Vocal Mag~zine (1778), 156 
C. Manuscript Versions 
Percy Folio, I, 515 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Trade List of William Thackeray, London, c. 1689," 
in Shepard, John Pitts, opposite p. 20 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c ... Printed and Sold by William 
and Cluer Dicey ... 1754," Bodleian MS 258.c.109, 
reproduced in Thomson,"Development,"298 
British Museum, Vol. 4, p. 498 
Crawford, 1288 and 1289 
Rollins, Analytical Index, 242, no. 2803 and 2804 
Wing, V52 
III. COMMENTS 
References to "Mary Ambree" can be found in Ben 
Jonson's Epicoene (IV, ii), Tale of a Tub (I,ii), 
and Fortunate Isles, in Fletcher'~Scornful Lady 
(V), and in Nathaniel Field's Amends for the~ies 
(I I). 
779 
MARY AMBREE 
The Valorous Acts performed at Gaunt, By the brave 
Bonny Lass Mary Ambree, who in Revenge of her Loves 
death, did play her part most gallantly. 
Tune of, the Blind Beggor. 
When captain couragious, whom death could not daunt 
had roundly besieged the city of gaunt 
And manly they marched by two and by three, 
But the foremost in battel was Mary Ambree. 
Thus being enforced to fight with her Foes, 
On each side most fiercely they seemed to close: 
Each one fought for honour in every degree, 
But, none so much won it as Mary Ambree. 
When brave Serjeant Major was slain in the fight 
Who was her own true love her joy and delight 
She swore unrevenged his blood should not be 
Was not this a brave bonny lass mary Ambree. 
She cloathed her self from the top to the toe, 
With Buff of the bravest and seemly to show; 
A fair shirt of Male over that striped she 
Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree 
A Helmet of proof she put on her head, 
A strong armed sword she girt on her side; 
A fair goodly Gauntlet on her side wore she, 
Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree? 
Then took she her Sword and her Target in hand 
And called all those that would be of her band 
To wait on her person there came thousands three, 
Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree. 
The Drums and the Trumpets did sound out alarm 
And many hundred did loose Leg and Arm; 
And many a thousand she brought on her knee 
Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree. 
780 
The Sky then she filled with the smoak of her shot 
And her Enemies bodies with Bullets so hot, 
For one of her own men a Score killed she, 
Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree. 
And then her false Gunner did spoil her intent, 
Her Powder and Bullets away he had spent 
And then with her weapon she slasht them three, 
Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree. 
Then took she her Castle where she did abide, 
Her Enemies besieg'd her on every side! 
To beat down her Castle walls they did agree, 
And all for to overcome Mary Ambree. 
Then took she her Sword and her Target in hand 
And on her Castle walls stoutly did stand; 
So daring the Captains, to march any three, 
0 what a brave Captain was Mary Ambree. 
At her then they smiled, not thinking in heart, 
That she could have performed so valarous a part; 
The one said to the other, we shortly shall see 
This gallant brave captain before us to flee. 
Why what do you think or take me to be? 
unto these brave Soldiers so valiant spoke she: 
A Knight Sir of England and Captain (quoth they) 
Whom shortly we mean to take prisoner away. 
No Captain of England, behold in your sight, 
Two Breasts in my bosom, and therefore no Knight 
No Knight Sir of England nor Captain quoth she, 
But even a poor bonny lass Mary Ambree. 
But art thou a woman as thou dost declare, 
That hath made us thus spend our armour in War; 
The like in our lives we never did see, 
And therefore we'l honour brave Mary Ambree. 
The Prince of great Parma heard of her renown, 
Who long had advanced for Englands fair Crown, 
In token he sent for a Globe and a Ring, 
And said she should be his Bride at his wedding. 
781 
Why what do you think or take me to be, 
Though he be a Prince of great dignity; 
It shall never be said in England so free, 
That a stranger did marry with Mary Ambree. 
Then unto fair England she back did return, 
Still holding the Foes of brave England in scorn; 
In Valour no Man was every like she, 
Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree, 
In this Womans praises I'll here end my Song, 
Whose heart was approved in valour most strong; 
Let all sorts of people whatever they be, 
Sing forth the brave valours of Mary Ambree. 
Printed for Joseph Hinson at the Sun and Bible in Giltspur-street 
near Pye Corner. 
Madden Collection, Vol. III, No. 797, p. 199. 
782 
90. THE LANCASHIRE HEROS 
Lancashire Heros 
My father is a squire and I am his heir, 
And I fell in love with his footman so fair, 
They sent him to sea where the waters roll along, 
The Lancashire heros play Britons strike home. 
Resolved to follow her dear, she lists "for a volunteer." 
They sail on the "Neptune," landing at Spithead. Nine 
hundred are aboard the ship, and of these, five hundred 
"got slain." She is shot by "a large bullet" which took 
off "her left breast." The Captain and lieutenant are 
killed, as is her sweetheart. She is never afraid to 
fire off her gun. The French are beaten, and she is "got 
cured" and returns to "Old England~' 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, II 
Printed for W. Armstrong, Liverpool. 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
BS Ballads, 1790-1830, 174 
Printed for W. Armstrong. Banastre-st. 
Liverpool. 
783 
LANCASHIRE HEROS 
Lancashire Heros. 
Printed for W. Armstrong. Liverpool. 
My father is a squire and I am his heir, 
And I fell in love with his footman so fair, 
They sent him to sea where the waters roll along, 
The Lancashire heros play Britons strike home. 
Then I was resolv'd to follow my dear, 
Straightway I did go and list for a volunteer. 
We soon went to sea where the waves roll along, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
The ship that we sail'd in was call'd the Neptune, 
We landed at Spithead the 14th of June, 
Not a finer ship on the sea sal'd along, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
Our ship she set sail with nine hundred men. 
And out of that number five hundred got slain. 
Like lions we fought, while the blood down did run, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
There came a large bullet right over our main, 
Which took off her left breast, so great was her pain 
Resolved to conquer she fir'd a gun, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
Our captain was kill'd, and lieutenant likewise, 
And so was my sweetheart to my great surprise, 
But I never seem'd afraid but fir'd off my gun, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
From Broadside to broadside we fir'd away. 
Those French beaten cowards from us drove away, 
But now I'm got cured to Old England I come, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
Come all you young virgins attend to my song, 
See how boldly I ventur'd my life for a man, 
I took up arms and a soldier did become, 
The Lancashire Heros &c. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. II, BS 96 
784 
91. THE FEMALE SAILOR BOLD (N-3) 
(The Female Sailor Bold; The Female Sailor; The 
Gallant Female Sailor; A Faithful Account of the 
Perilous Adventures of that Courageous Young Fe-
male, Anne Jane Thornton) 
The Gallant Female Sailor 
Good people give attention and listen to my song, 
I will unfold a circumstance that does to love belong, 
Concerning of a pretty maid who ventured we are told; 
Across the ocean as a female sailor bold. 
Anne Jane Thornton from Glostershire is engaged at 15 to a 
captain who went to sea. Dressing herslef "in sailor's 
clothes," she engages herself as a cabin boy and sails to 
New York in search of her beloved. Going to his father, 
she finds that he has died. "In anguish," she travels 
70 miles "through woods in North America," then serves as 
"cook and stewart in the Adelaide." She then "sailed on 
board the Rover." From "St. Andrews," she "did reef and 
steer" aboard the "Sarah" and "always done her duty" until 
"February, 1835"(or 1845) when her sex is discovered in 
London. She is "examined by the Lord Mayor" and her story 
is covered in the "public papers." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
54-784, I 
W. Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, 
Newcastle. (1829-37) 
25242.17, IV, 70 
Printed and Sold by John Gilbert, Royal 
Arcade, Newcastle; may be had of B. Stewart, 
Botcher-gate, Carlisle; and W.W. Murray, 
Claypath, Durham. (1853-55) 
25242.17, IV, 140 
Printed and Sold by John Ross, Royal Arcade, 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and may be had of 
Stewart, Botchergate, Carlisle, and W. 
Dalton, Walmgate, York. (1847-52) 
25242.17, I,119 - Spencer, Broadstones, Bradford. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB,p.v.3, 40 
Swindells, Printer. (Manchester, 1760-1850) 
KVB, p • v. 3 , 7 2 
785 
Swindells, Printer. (Manchester, 1760-1850) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
HB17763 
Printed and sold at No. 42 North Main Street 
(opposite the Museum) Providence. 
Providence Public Library/Special Collections, 
Coll. of Irish BS Ballads 
Trinity College Dublin, 
Gall.R.15.35 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
/1605 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, V, 30 
J. Catnach, Printer, 
court, Seven Dials. 
BS Ballads, V, 31 
Printed by Birt, No. 
street Seven Dials. 
2 and 3 Monmouth-
(1836-38) 
39, Great st, Andrew 
(1829-41) 
Elton's Forget Me Not Songster, 104 
Forecastle Songster (1848), 96 
Forget Me Not Songster (1845), 11 
B. Folksong Versions 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
*782, p. 32 (Kerry, 1941) 
Creighton, 68 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 202 Wilgus-Long 
III. COMMENTS 
See London Times accounts, 9 February 1835 (p.l, 
col. 5, "Extraordinary Circumstance"), 10 February 
1835 (p. 4, col. 2, "Ship News"), and 11 February 
1835 (p.6, col. 5, "Police"). 
786 
THE FEMALE SAILOR BOLD. (N-3) 
A Faithful Account of the Perilous Adventures of that 
Courageous Young Female, Anne Jane Thornton, who left 
her Father's House, and, in the Dress of a Sailor, 
entered as a Cabin Boy on board of an American Vessel 
in search of her Sweetheart,--with an Account of her 
Arrival at New York, where she learnt her Sweetheart 
was Dead--of her Travelling Seventy Miles on Foot alone, 
through the Forests of Arnerica--of her entering as Cook 
and Steward on board the Sarah; with many other wonderful 
Adventures, As Related by Herself before the Lord Mayor 
of London. 
A Song. 
Good people give attention and listen to my song 
I will unfold a circumstance that does to love belong. 
Concerning of a pretty maid who ventur'd we are told 
Across the briny ocean as a Female Sailor bold 
Her name was Ann Jane Thornton, of Glostershire we hear 
And was courted by a Captain all in her 15th year 
But he sail'd to America, as I will now unfold 
And she ventur'd o'er the ocean, disguis'd a Sailor bold. 
Disguised in her sailor's clothes, as cabin-boy she went, 
To New York, in America, with pleasure & content, 
But when the damsel landed of her lover's death was told, 
Then in agony & sorrow wept the Female Sailor bold. 
Some thousand miles from home, from her parents far away, 
She travelled thro' the dismal woods of North America, 
She serv'd on board the Adelaide, as steward we are told, 
And sailed with the Rover did the Female Sailor bold 
At length in the Sarah from St. Andrew's she set sail, 
And nobly did the seaman's part in tempest, storm, and gale 
Would run to the top gallant-sail, did reef and steer were told, 
By the captain much respected was the Female Sailor bold. 
In the month of February, 1825, 
She to the port of London in the Sarah did arrive, 
Her sex was then discovered and the secret did unfold, 
And the captain gaz'd with wonder on the Female Sailor bold. 
It was to seek her lover that she sailed across the main, 
Thro' love she did encounter storm, tempest, wind, and the rain; 
It was love caused all her trouble and hardships we are told. 
May she rest at home contented now the Female Sailor bold. 
787 
The Lord Mayor having read in the Times a marvellous account of a 
female sailor, directed one of the City police officers to make 
inquiry into the circumstances, in order that if she required 
any assistance, it might be rendered to her. Accordingly the 
officer thought it best to bring her to the Mansion-house, that 
his Lordship might hear the remarkable details of the case from 
the girl's own lips. 
Capt. M'Intire of the Sarah, stated that he met the girl at 
St. Andrew's, North America: he engaged her as cook and steward, 
and considered what she seemed to be, until a few days before the 
arrival of the vessel in the port of London. It appeared that 
some of the crew had suspected her sex before she was seen washing 
in her berth, from the circumstance of her having refused to 
drink grog. She performed the duties of a sailor admirably--
she would run up to hand the top-gallant-sail in any sort of 
weather, during a severe passage. The poor girl had had a hard 
time of it, and she suffered greatly from the wet, but she bore 
it all excellently, and she was a capital seaman. Her hands 
appeared as if they were covered with thick brown leather gloves, 
and it was by repeated questioning, the Lord Mayor got from her 
the facts, of which the following is the substance:--
Anne Jane Thornton stated, she was in the 17th year of her age. 
Her father, who is now a widower, took her and the rest of his 
family from Gloucestershire, where she was born, to Donegal, when 
she was 6 years old. He was in good circumstances, and was always 
affectionate to her. She regretted that she quitted her home, 
for her departure, of which she had given no previous notice to 
her father, must have caused him many a sorrowful hour. When 
she was only 13 years old, she met Capt. Alexander Burke, whose 
father resided in New York, and was the owner of vessels there, 
and before she was 15, they became strongly attached to each other. 
Soon afterwards Alexander Burke was obliged to go to New York, and 
she resolved to follow him. 
She quitted her father's house, accompanied by a maid servant and 
a boy; and having procured a cabin-boy's dress, she exerted 
herself to obtain a passage to America. She succedded in her 
object: the servant maid and boy took leave of her immediately 
upon her embarking, the latter being charged with a message to 
her father, informing him of her intention. By degrees she became 
reconciled to the labours of her new employment, and she beheld 
with joy the shores of New York, where she thought her labours 
would terminate: the moment she landed, she went off in her 
cabin-boy's dress to the house of Captain Burke's father, and 
said that she had worked under the Captain's orders, and wished 
to be engaged by him again. It was by the father of the young 
man she was informed of the event which placed the eternal barrier 
between them, and she retired from the house disconsolate. 
788 
America was, however, no place in which to look for sympathy. 
In the belief that the sea, which no doubt her feelings of 
affection for Burke recommended to her, was a more probable 
mode of existence than any she could adopt in the dress of 
her sex, she applied for and obtained a situation as cook and 
steward in the Adelaide, and subsequently in the Rover, in 
which vessel she sailed to St. Andrew's, where she fell in with 
Capt. M'Intire: the captain of the Rover had agreed to take her 
to Belfast, but he received an order from the owners to sail for 
the West Indies, and, as she was resolved to return to her father 
as soon as possible, she refused to accompany him. For 31 months, 
she had been engaged in these remarkable adventures, and 
participated in the most severe toils of the crews of which she 
performed a part. 
The Lord Mayor asked how she fanced to assume the sailor's 
dress? 
The Girl--! could not think of any other way, and I did the 
duties as well as I could. I underwent a good deal. I travelled 
from East Point, in North America, to St. Andrew's, by myself, 
a distance of 70 miles, through the woods. I walked all the way. 
Captain M'Intire said he bore testimony to the extraordinary 
propriety of the girl's conduct, who said she was bound in grati-
tude to acknowledge the kindness and humanity of the captain. 
The Lord Mayor--! will give directions that you be taken care 
of until I hear from your father, to whom I will write to-night. 
After receiving some salutary advice from the Lord Mayor, she 
retired, and placed under the care of the worthy proprietor of 
the Cooper's Arms, Lower Thames Street. She is low of stature, 
and her limbs are firmly knit; comely face; dark eyes; and teeth 
very white. 
On Saturday the 14th, Mr. M'Lean, the inspector of police, 
applied to the Lord Mayor, to have our heroine removed from the 
Cooper's Arms; for, on account of the intense interest her case 
excited, multitudes of persons so beset the house to get a sight 
of her, that the landlord found it impossible to conduct his 
business.--The proprietress of a minor theatre offered her a guinea 
a night to appear in character in a piece to be got up on purpose. 
A celebrated artist had applied to take her likeness; and 
numberless persons have supplicated her to exhibit herself; but 
all in vain; as she feels a great repugnance to the various 
offers, being determined never again to assume the sailor's dress. 
She possesses a great flow of spirits; is communicative; but 
extremely correct in her behaviour. Upon the whole, she is, 
undoubtedly, one of the most extraordinary strong-minded girls that 
ever lived. 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3, Monmouth-court, Seven Dials. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. V, 30. 
789 
THE FEMALE SAILOR BOLD (N-3) 
The Female Sailor. 
The following song is founded on fact, however romantick it 
may appear. In the month of Febuary 1835 this interesting 
girl arrived at Fresh Whart London Bridge, on board the Sarah; her 
sex having been discovered a few days previous. Of course so 
singular a circumstance as that of a young Female Sailor could not 
long be kept a secret; and, as is always the case, the most 
exagerated reports were illllllediately propogated; at length this 
extra ordinary histroy reached the ears of the Lord Mayor, who with 
the greatest humanity, ordered one of the police to ascertain the 
particulars of the case and see whether she was ill used. The 
officer brought her to the Lord Mayor to whom she related the 
following interesting particulars--She said her name was Ann Jane 
Thornton, that she was in the 17th year of her age: her father being 
a widower took her and the rest of the family from Gloucestershire, 
where she was born to Donagel, when six years old, where her father 
now resides; she regreted leaving horn, as it must have caused 
him many a sorrowful hour, he being always affectionate to her. 
When she was only 13 years old she met Capt. Alexander Burk, an 
Englishman but whose father resided in New York; and before she 
was 15 they became strongly attached to each other; soon afterwards 
Alexander Burk was obliged to go to New York, and she resolved 
to follow him: she quited her father's house, accompanied by a 
maid servant and boy; and having procured a cabin boy's dress, 
she obtained a passage direct to America by degrees she became 
reconciled to her new situation; and when she arrived at New 
York, she hastened to the father of her sweetheart, whom she 
learnt was dead, disconsolate as she was, she hastened from 
East Point in North America, to St. Andrew's a distance of 70 miles 
through the woods alone walking all the way on foot. She then 
obtained the sitution of cook and steward on board the Adelaide, 
and next in the Rever, in which latter vessel she sailed to St. 
Andrew's where she fell in with the Sarah, Cap. M'Intire, who 
engaged her as cook and steward, and in which ship she arrived in 
the port of London.--For 31 months she had been engaged in these 
remarkable adventures and participated in the most severe toils of 
the crews of which she performed a part, with the greatest propriety 
and decorum. 
790 
• Good people give attention and listen to my song, 
I will unfold a circumstance that does to love belong; 
Concerning of a pretty maid who ventur'd we are told, 
Across the briny ocean as a female sailor bold. 
Her name was Ann Jane Thornton, as you presently shall hear, 
And also that she was born in fam'd Gloucestershire; 
Her father now lives in Ireland, respected we are told, 
And grieving for his daughter--this female sailor bold. 
She was courted by a captain when not fifteen years of age, 
And to be joined in holy wedlock this couple did engage, 
But the captain was bound to America, as I will now unfold 
And she followed him o'er the ocean did this female sailor bold. 
She dress'd herself in sailors clothes and was overcome with joy 
When with a captain she did engage to serve as cabin boy, 
And when New York in America this fair maid did behold 
She determined to seek her true love did this female sailor bold. 
Then to her true loves fathers she hastened with speed, 
When the news that she did hear most dreadful indeed, 
That her love had been dead some time they to her did unfold 
Which very near broke the heart of this female sailor bold. 
Some thousand miles she was from home from friends far away 
Alone she traveled seventy miles thro' woods in North America. 
Bereft of all her kindred nor no parent to behold, 
In anguish she cried my true love did this female sailor bold. 
Then she went on board the Adelaide, to cross the troubled wave 
And in storms of hail and gales of wind she did all dangers brave 
She served as cook and steward in the Adelaide we are told 
Then sailed on board the Rover did the female sailor bold. 
From St. Andrew's in America, this fair maid did set sail, 
In a vessel called the Sarah and brav'd many a stormy gale 
She did her duty like a man did reef and steer we're told, 
By the captain she was respected well--the female sailor bold. 
She weighed the anchor, heav'd the lead and boldly went aloft 
Just one and thirty months she braved the tempest we are told, 
And always did her duty did the female sailor bold. 
791 
'Twas in the month of Febuary eighteen hundred thirty five, 
She in the port of London in the Sarah did arrive; 
Her sex was then discovered which the secret did unfold, 
And the captain gaz'd in wonder on the female sailor bold. 
At the Mansion-House she appear'd before the Lord Mayor. 
And in the public papers then the reasons did appear, 
Why she did leave her father and her native land she told, 
To brave the stormy ocean, did this female sailor bold. 
It was to seek her lover that sailed across the main, 
Thro' love she did encounter storms tempest wind and rain 
It was love caused all her troubles and hardships we are told, 
May she rest at home contented now the female sailor bold. 
Printed and sold at No. 42, North Main street (opposite the Museum) 
Providence. Where are kept for sale 100 other kinds. 
Brown University/Hay Library, HB17763 
792 
92. THE FEMALE SAILOR 
The Female Sailor 
Come all you pretty females, whoever that you be, 
I pray give attention and listen unto me, 
It's of a brisk young lady, worth thousands of gold, 
How she ventured her life for a jolly sailor bold. 
Going with her father to "view this fine vessel, the 
George," she beholds a "beautiful swain" who is the chief 
mate, "William Brown." Brown leaves for Liverpool, and she, 
packing up "her jewels and costly array," follows him. 
Finding that he has gone to America, she journeys after him. 
Arriving, she inquires about him and finds that he is dead. 
Deciding not to return to her parents, "she cut off her 
yellow locks, blue jacket and trousers she quickly put on." 
For three years she sails aboard the Hero undetected, 
serving as cook and steward. In port, "so sailor-like a 
jolly tar was she, she could drink a glass of grog, and 
kiss the girls merrily." Near Liverpool the captain "was 
inclined to pass away a joke" and discovering that "she 
was a maid," he betrays her secret. She resolves to go 
aboard the "Commerce steampacket," but she had not been on 
board "an hour or more" before the "constables brought her 
on shore." She tells her story to "the magistrate" saying 
that "she was determined to follow the sea, and in a short 
time commander she would be." She gives her name as 
"S a A a H n, and says that she is a "rich mer-
chant's daughter:-ri- The magistrate asks the captain if 
he has anything to say, and he requests charge of her, 
dresses her "like a lady so gay," and "now this little 
steward has become a charming wife." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Coll. of BS Ballads, I, 521 
L. Deming, No. 62, Hanover Street, 2d door 
from Friend Street, Boston. (1832-38) 
Library of Congress/Music Division, 
Uncat. BSS 
L. Deming, No. 62, Hanover Street, 2d door 
from Friend Street, Boston. (1832-38) 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Uncat. BSS 
L. Deming, No. 62, Hanover Street, 2d door 
793 
from Friend Street, Boston. 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
HB/12667 
(1832-38) 
Printed and Sold at No. 25, High Street, 
Providence. (H. Trumbull, 1826-36) 
Book~!_ Thousand Songs (1843), 421 
Forecastle Songster (1848), 84 
Forget Me Not Songster (1845), 138 
Uncle True~ngster, 96 
III. COMMENTS 
See London Times accounts, 9 February 1835 (p.l, 
col.5,~xtraordinary Circumstance"), 10 February 
1835 (p. 4, col. 2, "Ship News"), and 11 February 
18 3 5 ( p • 6 , co 1 • 5 , "Po 1 ice") . (See a 1 so The 
Female Sailor Bold (91] above.) 
794 
THE FEMALE SAILOR 
The Female Sailor. 
Come, all you pretty females, whoever you be, 
I pray you give attention and listen unto me: 
It's of a brisk young lady, worth thousands of gold, 
How she ventured her life, for a jolly sailor bold. 
One day with her father, she instantly went, 
To view his fine vessel, it was her intent; 
On board of one fine vessel, the George, by name, 
She first saw this young man, which caus'd her much pain. 
When first she beheld this beautiful swain, 
She thought it a pity, he should venture the main; 
She turn'd to her father, and to him did say, 
Ah! is this your captain, I pray do tell to me. 
0 no, my dearest daughter, her father thus spake, 
He is not my captain, he is the chief mate; 
He is a fine youth, William Brown is his name, 
And for seven long years he has crossed the main. 
From fine London city, this young man set sail, 
Bound for Liverpool, with a sweet pleasant gale. 
When she heard he had sail'd, resolved was she, 
To follow this young man by land or by sea. 
She pack'd up her jewels, and costly array, 
And to Liverpool came, without more delay; 
But when she came there, she heard he was gone 
To a port in America, called St. Johns. 
Resolved was she to follow her dear, 
And to cross the salt seas, without dread or fear; 
The wind it blew calm, and the elements clear, 
And to St. John's, New Brunswick, this lady did steer. 
But, oh! fatal to tell, when she arrived there, 
She went to the ship, to find out her dear; 
She asked for William Brown, for that was his name, 
The captain said, fair lady, he is drown'd in the main. 
795 
With great grief and anguish this lady did mourn, 
She thought to her parents, she would not return; 
Her golden locks she cut off, as you will understand, 
Blue jacket and trowsers, she quickly put on. 
She went on board the Hero, without more delay, 
And inquired for the captain, as you may plainly see; 
He enter'd her as cook, and steward likewise, 
But little did he think she was a maid in disguise. 
For three years and better, she sail'd on the main, 
And still there were none could to the secret obtain; 
For when in port, she was as jolly as a sailor could be, 
Her grog she would drink, and kiss the girls merrily. 
This ship was for Liverpool, and near to the port, 
The captain was inclin'd to pass away a joke; 
And to his great surprise, he found she was a maid, 
When he arrived in Liverpool, the secret he betray'd. 
To the Commerce, Steam Packet, she was resolv'd to go, 
Not thinking that the captain or any one would know; 
She had not been on board half an hour or more, 
Before that the constables brought her on shore. 
It's then before the magistrate, she had to appear, 
And she told them her story, without dread or fear; 
She said she was determined to follow the sea, 
And in a short time connnander she would be. 
Then said the magistrate, what is your name, 
And where does your father dwell, tell me the same; 
S-a-A-a-H-n, it is my own name, 
I'm a rich merchant's <laugher, from London I came. 
Then the magistrate addressed the captain, and said, 
Have you any thing to say, concerning this fair maid; 
Your honor, said the captain, I have nothing for to say, 
But only beg you will give her in charge unto me. 
796 
Then the captain he took this fair damsel away, 
And she dressed herself like a lady so gay; 
He vow'd that he lov'd her as dear as his life, 
So now his late steward, has become his charming wife. 
Sold, wholesale and retail by L. Deming, No. 62, Hanover Street, 
2d door from Friend Street, Boston. 
American Antiquarian Society, Uncatalogued Ballads ("H") 
797 
93. THE FEMALE SAILOR (ANN JANE THORNTON) 
The Female Sailor (Ann Jane Thornton) 
Draw near, ye loyal lovers all, and to me lend an ear, 
While I relate as .true a tale as ever you did hear, 
Concerning a bonny lass, who lately, we are told, 
Did cross the stormy ocean in search of her sailor bold. 
At sixteen in Donnegal she and a sea captain pledge their 
love. He must leave before they are married, so she goes 
in disguise to America in search of him. She lands in 
"East Port" and then journeys to "St. Andrew's" to "the 
place where her true lover lay." She mourns for him and 
returns to St. Andrew's and engages on the "Sarah" which 
"belongs to Belfast." For three years she sails under the 
name of "James." On "their last voyage" she is discovered 
as she is washing. The seaman says that he will keep her 
secret if she will "comply with his wishes." She refuses 
and is discovered. "At the Fresh-wharf, near Billingsgate" 
a "tide-waiter" goes aboard and finds her being beaten by 
the crew. She tells him her secret, and he takes her to 
the "Lord Mayor of London," and she is restored to her 
friends. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Ulster Folk Museum (Belfast). 
Shields Coll., T-1969-7/UCLA T7-73-18 
III. COMMENTS 
See London Times accounts, 9 February 1835 (p.l, 
col. 5, "Extraordinary Circumstance"), 10 February 
1835 (p. 4, col. 2, "Ship News"), and 11 February 
18 3 5 ( p . 6 , co 1 . 5 , "Po 1 ice") • (See a 1 so The 
Female Sailor Bold [91] and The Female Sailor [92] 
above.) 
798 
THE FEMALE SAILOR (ANN JANE THORNTON) 
The Female Sailor (Ann Jane Thornton) 
Draw near, ye loyal lovers all, and to me lend an ear, 
While I relate as true a tale as ever you did hear, 
Concerning a bonny lass, who lately, we are told, 
Did cross the stormy ocean in search of her sailor bold. 
This beautiful young maid liv'd in the county Donnegal, 
It was with a sea captain straightway in love she did fall. 
She was but sixteen years of age that captain twenty two 
They pledg'd their words they'd constant be, what more could 
lovers do. 
Before the marriage knot was tied the wind it blew fair, 
The Captain must leave her behind and to his ship repair, 
Of his Ann Jane he took farewell, then he sail'd away, 
From Derry town to Saint Andrew's in North America. 
Ann Jane Thornton she was sorely distressed in mind, 
To think her lover he was gone and she was left behind, 
Nine months and more this maid did wait her lover's return, 
But she no word of him could hear, which caused her to mourn. 
This lovely damsel her sad grief no longer could conceal, 
At the same time to no person her mind she did reveal, 
She says here like a troubld sea my mind's toss'd to and fro, 
Then straight off to America, in search of him I'll go. 
A ship being ready for sea, away Ann Jane she goes, 
And purchas'd without delay a sailor suit of clothes, 
When she got on her sailor's dress, and hair cut close behind, 
A bonnier looking sailor lad its nowhere could you find. 
Ann Jane after her lover to America did steer, 
Her friends they made enquiry for her both far and near, 
At length she landed in East Port in North America, 
From that into St. Andrew's she travell'd the whole way. 
Through woods and lonely valleys she wander'd night and day. 
At length she came into the place where her true lover lay, 
She shed a mournful tear over the place he did lie, 
Crying hard fate did separate my true lover and I. 
When she came to St. Andrew's, twas there she did enquire 
For the captain of the Sarah, his name is M'Intyre, 
The Sarah belongs to Belfast, as I do understand, 
The captain soon agree'd with her as he did want a hand. 
As cook and steward he engaged her innnediately, 
By her appearance he took her a sailor lad to be, 
Nine Spanish dollars in the month of the captain she had, 
Brave M'Intyre he did admire his bonny sailor lad. 
Under the name of James she went for three long years and more 
All the hard work they put her to it patiently she bore 
She learned to hand reef and steer, likewise to heave the log, 
799 
On shore she'd court the pretty girls and push about the grog. 
On their last voyage from Portugal a seaman full of mirth 
Watched this sailor washing herself in her berth, 
Her jacket it flew open and her breasts he chanc'd to spy, 
Is this our cook and steward lad? the sailor he did cry. 
He says my pretty girl, my mind to you I'll reveal, 
If to my wishes you'll comply the secret I'll conceal, 
This bonny sailor lass, she answer'd him right modestly 
Here on the sea I'll suffer death before that I yield to thee. 
When he did make the secret known to the captain and crew, 
The hardest work that they could get they always put her to; 
When the vessel did encounter a boisterous gale 
She would be foremost up aloft a refing the top-sail. 
At the Fresh-wharf, near Billinsgate, they did at anchor lie, 
When the tide-waiter went on board, it was there he did espy 
A sailor beating this young lad, as he took her to be, 
The secret unto him there she related instantly. 
It is in Ballyshannon town my father he does dwell, 
He is a corn factor there, and is respected well; 
I have been reared tenderly, sir, in my youthful days 
I never thought 'twould be my lot to plough the raging seas. 
Before the Lord Mayor of London this damsel he did take, 
It's there a full confession of her sufferings she did make; 
This female sailor to her friends once more he did restore, 
In search of her true lover she will plough the seas no more. 
(No. 87) Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. I, BS 880 
800 
94. THE FEMALE RAMBLING SAILOR 
(The Female Rambling Sailor; The Female 
Ramling Sailor; Rambling Female Sailor) 
The Female Rambling Sailor 
Come all young people, far and near, 
And listen to my ditty, 
At Gravesend lived a maiden fair, 
Who was both young and pretty. 
Her lover he was pressed away, 
And drowned in a foreign sea, 
Which caused this maiden for to [say] 
I'll be a female sailor. 
She resolves to go across the ocean and "gain promotion." 
"Like a sailor true," she does her duty aboard ship. She 
sweetly sings "in calm," is "ready at her station" in a 
storm, and "[loves] her occupation." On a wager she goes 
aloft, misses her hold, and falls to her death. As she 
is dying the sailors say farewell to "young faithful Willy" 
until they see her "snow-white breast." Her name was 
"Rebecca Young," and she was well-known "on the River 
Thames." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
W. and T. Fordyce, Printers, Dean-street, 
Newcastle. (1837-41) 
54-784, I 
Printed and sold by W. and T. Fordyce, 
Newcastle and Hull;--to be had also of 
J. Whinham and Co., 66 Scotch St, Carlisle. 
(1837-44) 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer,48, Dean-street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
25242.27, 255 
25242.17, I, 131 
25242.17, XII, 147 
London--H. Such, Printer and 
177 Union Street, Boro'--SE. 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
Publisher, 
(1869-86) 
Providence Public Library/Special Collections, 
801 
" 
Irish Ballad Coll. 
Royal Irish Acade~y. 
66.H.17 
Trinity Colleg~ Dublin, 
21.66.51, p. 222 
UCLA/Folklore Archive·, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, I, 61 
Yale, 
Folio 254 
802 
THE FEMALE RAMBLING SAILOR 
Female Ramling Sailor. 
Come all young people far and near 
And listen to my ditty, 
At gravesend lived a maiden fair, 
Who was both young and pretty. 
Her lover he was press'd away, 
And drowned in a foreign sea, 
Which caus'd this maiden for to say 
I'll be a female Sailor. 
This maid she was resolv'd to go 
Across the foaming ocean, 
She was resolv'd to let them know 
How she could gain promotion. 
With jacket blue, and trowers white 
Just like a sailor neat and tight, 
The sea it was the heart's delight 
Of the Rambling Female Sailor. 
Like a sailor true she went on board, 
All for to do her duty. 
She was always ready at her call, 
This maid, the queen of beauty. 
When in a calm, this damsel young 
Would charm the sailors with her tongue, 
As she walk'd the decks and sweetly sung, 
The Rambling Female Sailor. 
When in a storm upon the sea, 
She was ready at her station, 
Her mind as calm as calm could be 
She loved her occupation; 
From stem to stern she'd boldly go, 
She brav'd all dangers, fear'd no foe, 
But soon you'll hear the overthrow 
Of the Rambling Female Sailor. 
This maiden gay did a wager lay, 
She would go aloft with any, 
And up aloft she straight did go, 
Where times she had been many. 
This maiden bold--ah! sad to tell, 
She missed her hold and down she fell, 
And calmly bid this world farewell! 
Did the Rambling Female Sailor. 
803 
This maiden gay did fade away 
Just like a drooping willow, 
Which made the sailors for to say 
Farewell, young faithful Willy. 
When her snow-white breasts in sight became, 
She prov'd to be a female frame, 
And Rebecca Young it was the name 
Of the Rambling Female Sailor. 
May willows wave all on her grave, 
And laurels round it planted, 
May roses sweet grow at the feet 
Of one who died undaunted. 
May a marble stone be inscribed upon 
Near here lies one so lately gone, 
A maiden fair as the sun shone on 
The Rambling Female Sailor. 
So all young men and maids around, 
Come listen to my story, 
Her body is anchor'd to the ground, 
Let's hope her sould's in glory. 
On the river Thames she was known full well, 
Few sailors could with her excel 
One tear let fall as the fate you tell, 
Of the Rambling Female Sailor. 
w. & T. Fordyce, Printers, Dean-street, Newcastle. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. I, BS 75. 
804 
95. THE DRUM MAJOR 
The Drum Major 
Come listen to my story so plainly you shall hear, 
Concerning a damsel that follow'd the drum 
In search of her true love to Flanders she is gone, 
Her arms were long and slender, her fingers long and 
small, 
By the beating of the drum, she excell'd them all, 
By the beating of the drum great honor she's got 
And now she's Drum Major and carries the sword. 
"In the midst of battle" she fought with great courage and 
was not suspected "a woman for to be." While washing in a 
pool, however, she is discovered by "a soldier from the 
garrison," and she is "exposed that very same day." She 
speaks with the officers who ask whether she was "listed 
voluntary" or was "betrayed." She replies that she has 
"served seven years" and "listed voluntarily" for "Jack 
Line, our young Grenadier." They dress her in "silks and 
sattins," and "when ever he saw her he flew in her arms." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.75F, II 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts 
Andrew Street, Seven Dials. 
25242.25, 26V 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts 
Andrew Street, Seven Dials. 
14 Great St. 
(1797-1819) 
14 Great St. 
(1797-1819) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, II 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts 14 Great St. 
Andrew Street, Seven Dials. (1797-1819) 
B. Folksong Versions 
Greig-Duncan, 495, no. 184 
s. Henry, no. 797 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wilgus-Long 
805 
DRUM MAJOR 
Drum Major. 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts 14 Great 
St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials 
Come listen to my story so plainly you shall hear, 
Concerning a damsel that follow'd the drum 
In search of her true love to Flanders she is gone, 
Her arms were long and slender, her fingers long and small. 
By the beating of the drum, she excell'd them all, 
By the beating of the drum great honor she's got 
And now's she's Drum Major and carries the sword. 
Just in the midst of battle where many one did fall 
she fought with such courage she excell'd them all, 
she fought with such courage on every degree, 
Though never a one took her a woman for to be. 
As she was a washing in yonder pool so deep 
A soldier from the garrison so softly did creep, 
At the side of the pumper and there he did lie, 
Is this our Drum Major the soldier did cry, 
When laughing at the jest, and regaling at the fun, 
I wish you would learn me to beat upon your drum 
You are not practiced the Major then did say 
So she was exposed that very same day. 
He went unto his officers, Colonels & all 
And telling them the ditty and how it did befal, 
Our Drum Major is a woman so plainly shall see, 
Tho never a one took her a woman for to be, 
The Major was called for to come in great haste 
To speak with her officers, and colonels and all, 
You listed voluntary or was you betray'd 
Or was it for your sweet heart come now let us hear, 
I have served seven years in the reigiment foot, 
I listed voluntarily and so I came here, 
And it was for Jack Line, our young Grenadier, 
They drest her in her in silks and sattins so fine, 
She shined like an angel of all beauty bright, 
When ever he saw her he flew to her arms 
And said she had millions of charms, 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, Uncat. BSS, Box II 
806 
DRUM MAJOR 
The Drum Major. 
In response to advertised request, versions of this very old 
song have been received from Mrs. Joseph Remy, of Drumless, 
Finvoy, who learnt it from her father when he "was weaving 
at the linen trade" and from Mr. James Carmichael, 32, 
Waring Street, Ballymena, both of whom are cordially thanked. 
Come all ye young fellows and bachelors too, 
A comical story I'll tell unto you 
Concerning a fair maid who carried a drum, 
Who in search of her true love to Holland has gone. 
Refrain:--
Ladlio toor an ti a. 
She enlisted voluntarily in a regiment of foot, 
And being our drum major, great honour she got; 
She acted so manly in every degree, 
That no one e'er took her a girl for to be. 
She went down to bathe in a river so clear, 
When a jolly young rifleman chanced to draw near; 
He cried as she parted the waves like a swan, 
Though your clothes are a soldier's, you are not a man. 
Then out of the water she quickly did run, 
And with her small fingers her clothes she pinned on, 
Saying It's not for your godl, sir, that I listed here, 
But for sake of young Shelton, the bold grenadier. 
Call on the sergeant and officers all; 
Call on this fair maid: they on her did call: 
You are a woman, this day we do hear, 
And the cause of your listing we fain would now hear. 
These seven long years in your regiment I've been, 
Still hiding the face of a poor wounded dame: 
It's not for your gold that I'm listed here; 
I'm in search of young Shelton, the bold Grenadier. 
Call on the sergeant and officers all; 
Call on young Shelton; they on him did call: 
They say, Here is a letter from your true love this day, 
And to your drum major the postage you'll pay. 
807 
Give me the letter, young Shelton did say: 
Give me the letter, the postage I'll pay: 
With a tear in her eye the drum major did stand; 
Saying, Read me all over, for I'm just the one. 
Then he clasped her in his arms and embraced for a while, 
Till at length this young damsel began for to smile; 
And now they are married, the truth for to tell, 
And our gallant drum major pleases young Shelton well. 
S. Henry, No. 797. 
808 
96. THE LADY TURNED SOLDIER 
The Lady Turned Soldier. 
Come all you young lovers and listen a while, 
I'll sing you a song that will make you to smile, 
'Twas of a young lady of fame and renown, 
For the sake of a Captain .she a soldier has gone. 
Dressed "in man's apparel like an angel so neat," she is 
listed "in King George's name" by a corporal. He takes 
her to the captain, "which pleased her well," and she 
learns her exercises "wonderfully well." She lays with 
a corporal "a fortnight or more," and he cries that he 
has "listed a lady." The soldiers laugh at him, and he 
begs to be transfered to "some other regiment." The 
"Cornal" gives him his discharge, and the lady and the 
captain are married. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, II 
Pollock, Printer, North Shields. (1815-44) 
809 
THE LADY TURNED SOLDIER 
The Lady Turned Soldier. 
Come all you young lovers and listen a while, 
I'll sing you a song that will make you to smile, 
'Twas of a young lady of fame and renown, 
For the sake of a Captain she a soldier has gone. 
This beautiful creature she dressed herself neat, 
All in man's apparel like an angel so neat, 
And for to be a soldier to the Corporal she came, 
And he gave her a shilling in King George's name. 
You are a young fellow are you able and free, 
To serve as a soldier in the regiment with me. 
In the bold thirty-second, that's royal and true, 
She said, sir, I am, and I'll go along with you. 
Then away to the Captain, which pleased her well, 
Down on the drum head her 10 guineas he did tell, 
He said, here young man, take it from the drum head, 
And go along with the Corporal he'll find you a bed. 
She learned her exercise wonderfully well, 
That few in the regiment could her excel, 
Her arms and accoutrements so clean and so neat, 
She behav'd as a soldier in all things complete. 
She lay with the corporal a fortnight or more, 
But my him was never discerned before. 
He cried, but alas she did me trepan, 
I've listed a lady that I thought was a man. 
The soldiers they daily on him made their fun, 
Always ageering him for what he had done, 
He was so ashamed, he beg'd leave to go away, 
Into some other regiment, for in his own he could not stay. 
The Cornal, with laughter, gave him his discharge, 
Desiring those verses might be printed at large, 
He said, my brave soldier, when you list a recruit, 
Take him to the doctor, that will end all dispute. 
This lady of honour so ventur'd her life, 
That the captain thought proper to make her his wife, 
The bells they did ring, the music did play, 
The Cornal stood father, and gave her away. 
Pollock, Printer, North Shields. 
Harvard, 54-784, Vol. II, BS 206 
810 
97. THE MAIDEN SAILOR 
The Maiden Sailor: 
Being a true Relation of a Young Damsel, who was 
Press'd on Board the Edgar Man of War, being taken 
up in Seamans Habit; after being known, she was 
discharged, and at her examination, she declared 
she would serve the King at Sea, as long as her 
Sweetheart continued in Flanders. 
Tune of Guinea wins her: Or, Farewel my dearest 
Nancy. 
Good people e'ery one Sir, 
Come listen to my ditty 
The like was never known Sir, 
a Jest both true and pretty; 
Of a very pretty Damsel fair, 
who chang'd her cloaths indeed, 
and put on Seamans weed, 
and then she did appear 
a Youth, both fair and clear, 
like to a Seaman rare, 
So that you, would swear that she'd been a sailor too. 
A maiden, thought to be a "very pritty Colliers lad," is 
pressed into service and "brought down to the Nore." A 
sailor "that us'd to sport and play" strives to "feel her 
knee." When she flees, he suspects that she is a maid. 
She is examined and admits her sex, declaring that she 
went "to sea, so that she, might serve the King as well" 
as her sweetheart who is in "the King's Campaigne." 
"Captain Pedder" of the ship "Edgar" sets her free. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepys Ballads, VI 174 
III. COMMENTS 
Written by John Curtin, Seaman on 
Board the Edgar. Printed for J. Blare 
at the Looking-glass on London Bridge. 
(1683-1706) 
Rollins (Pepys Ballads,VI, 174) notes that the "Edgar" 
was built in 1679 and appears on ships' lists of 
1693, 1694 and 1697. A "Captain Pedder" is mentioned 
on these lists as well as in a document of 1691-92. 
811 
THE MAIDEN SAILOR 
The Maiden Sailor: 
Being a true Relation of a young Damsel, who was 
Press'd on Board the Edgar Man of War, being taken 
up in Seamans Habit; after being known, she was 
discharged, and at her examination, she declared 
she would serve the King at Sea, as long as her Sweet-
heart continued in Flanders. 
Tune of Guinea wins her: Or, Farewel my dearest Nancey. 
Good people e'ery one Sir, 
come listen to my ditty 
The like was never known Sir, 
a Jest both true and pretty; 
Which hear I come for to declare, 
Of a very pretty Damsel fair, 
who chang'd her cloaths, indeed, 
and put on Seamans weed, 
and then she did appear 
a Youth, both fair and clear, 
like to a Seaman rare, 
So that you, would swear that she'd been a sailor too. 
This Maiden she was press'd, Sir, 
and so was many more, 
And she, among the rest, Sir, 
was brought down to the Nore, 
Where ev'ry one did think they had 
Prest a very pritty Colliers Lad; 
but yet it prov'd not so, 
when they the truth did know, 
they search'd her well below, 
and see how things did go, 
and found her so and so, 
And then swore, the like was never known before. 
But at length a sailor bold, Sir, 
that us'd to sport and play, Sir, 
Did chance for to behold, Sir, 
where this young Damsel lay, Sir, 
Who thought she like a Maid did speak, 
When he felt, she did begin to squeak, 
by which, he found that she 
could not a sailor be, 
812 
he strove to feel her knee, 
but she would not agree, 
but strove from him to flee, 
And he said, that she was certainly a Maid. 
But when the truth was known, Sir, 
and ev'ry one did hear it, 
She examin'd was alone, Sir, 
and then she did declare it, 
That she this thing did undertake, 
For a very loving sweet-heart's sake, 
who does in Field remain, 
within the King's Campaigne, 
expecting night and day, 
to fight the Enemy, 
which made her go to sea, 
So that she, might serve the King as well as he. 
'Twas done on board the Edgar, 
as you may understand, Sir, 
Where noble Captain Pedder 
does bear the chief Conunand, Sir, 
Who set this woman sailor free, 
And then gave to her her liberty 
to go to Maiden-head, 
where she was born and bred, 
for wars will not agree 
with such a one as she, 
it's better for to be 
On the shore, to drive the trade she did before. 
You Damsels far and near, when 
you hear this true Relation, 
See how this Damsel fair, then 
did venture for her Nation, 
Who like a sailor bold and true, 
Never fearing what the French could do, 
but for to serve her King, 
would venture Life and limb, 
and I do make no doubt, 
had not she been found out, 
but she'd have prov'd as stout 
As all they, that longer time had been at Sea. 
Written by John Curtin, Seaman, on Board the Edgar. 
Printed for J. Blare at the Looking-glass on London-bridge. 
Pepys Ballads, Vol. VI, p. 174. 
813 
98. THE FAMOUS WOMAN DRUMMER 
The Famous Woman Drummer; 
Or, The valiant proceedings of a Maid which was 
(deep) in Love with a Souldier, and how she went 
with him to the wars; and also of many brave 
actions that she performed, after he had made her 
his wife~ that here be exprest in this ensuing 
Ditty. 
To the Tune of, Wet and Weary. 
Of a Maiden that was deep in love 
with a Souldier brave and bold sir, 
I'le tell you here as true a tale, 
as ever hath been told sir; 
And what brave actions she perform'd, 
after she was his Wife, sir; 
And how she did behave her selfe, 
to save her Husband's Life, sir: 
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, 
in Winter and in Summer, 
For he was then a Musketier, 
and she became a Drummer. 
They make a bargain that "she would not him forsake," and 
they go to war together, she in man's apparel. They fight 
in Ireland, Spain, and "famous France," and in every place 
she shows her gallantry and toughness until she becomes 
pregnant. She delivers a son "the 16th day of July," and 
the women are kind to her. She is praised for keeping her 
husband company "both day and night." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 730 
finis. L.P. [Laurence Price] 
London: Printed for F. Coles, J. Wright, 
T. Vere and W. Gilbertson. (1655-58) 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Museum, Vol. 178, p. 109 
Crawford, 1302 
Newton, Catalogue of Old B~llads, 23, no. 68 
Simpson, 775 
Wing, P3364 
814 
THE FAMOUS WOMAN DRUMMER 
The Famous Woman Drummer; 
Or, The valiant proceedings of a Maid which was [deep] 
in Love with a Souldier, and how she went with him 
to the wars; and also of many brave actions that she 
performed, after he had made her his wife: that here 
be exprest in this ensuing Ditty. 
To the Tune of, Wet and Weary. 
Of a Maiden that was deep in love with a Souldier brave & bold sir, 
I'le tell you here as true a tale, as ever hath been told, Sir; 
And what brave actions she perform'd, after she was his Wife, Sir; 
And how she did behave her selfe, to save her Husband's life, Sir: 
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, in Winter and in Summer, 
For he was then a Musketier, and she became a Drummer. 
When first this couple fell in love, a bargain she did make, sir, 
That when that he had need of her, she would not him forsake, sir; 
And so they went for two Comrades, most lovingly together, 
And plaid their parts most actively, like two Birds of one feather. 
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, in Winter, &c. 
She had got man's apparel on, gay doublet and brave hose, sir; 
And manfully she beat her Drum, her enemies to oppose, sir; 
And she was daintily bedeckt, according to her Colours: 
And she was like a man indeed, just to great Mars his followers. 
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, &c. 
They have been both in Ireland, in Spain, and famous France, sir, 
Where lustily she beat her Drum, her honour to advance, sir, 
Whilst Cannons roar'd, and bullets flye, as thick as hail from sky, sir 
She never fear'd her forraign Foes, when her Comrade was nigh, sir; 
She stood the brunts in heat and cold, in winter and in summer, 
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she was then a Drummer. 
In every place where she did come, she shew'd herself so valiant; 
And few men might compare with her, her actions were so gallant; 
She manage could her sword full well, and to advance a pike, sir; 
But for the beating of a Drum, you seldome saw the like, sir. 
In frost and snow, in wet and dry, in winter and in summer, 
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she a famous Drummer. 
815 
She beat with three men at one time, and won of them a wager; 
And had not one strange chance befell, she would have been Drum-
Major, 
Her b[od]y it began to swell, ahd she grew plump and jolly, 
But she us'd all the means she could, whereby to hide her folly. 
She marcht by day and watcht by night, in winter and in summer, 
And still they took her for a man, she was so stout a Drummer. 
In company she would merry be, and sometimes sing a song, sir, 
And take Tobacco oftentimes, and drink strong Beer among, sir; 
If any one had angred her, or done her any evill, 
Shee'd quickly make them for to know, they were better crosse the 
Devil. 
Near Tower-hall she quartered was, in famous London Citie, 
But more strange newes I have to tell before I end my Ditty. 
For she was grown so big with child, which made her fellows wonder, 
And in a short time after that, poor soul! she fell asunder, 
But when her painful hour approacht, (I doe not lie nor flatter,) 
The women cut her codpeece-oint, to see what was the matter, 
But to be brief, it came to passe, as I must tell you truly, 
She was delivered of a Son, the sixteenth day of July. 
The women all were kind to her, whilst that she was in labour, 
Because she was a Souldier's wife, they shew'd to her much favour. 
They furnisht her with everything, as meat and drink and clothing, 
For child-bed linnen and the like, they let her want for nothing. 
Her husband was a Muskettier, and she a lusty Drummer, 
It seems they soundly plaid their parts, in Winter and in Summer. 
Let no man nor no woman think that she hath been dishonest; 
But what she did was done in love, as she before had promist, 
To keep her husband com[p]any, the truth of all was so, sir, 
And pleasure him, both day and night, wherever they did go, sir. 
Her husband was a Muskettier, and she a famous Drummer, 
It seems they ply'd the businesse well in Winter and in Sunnner. 
You Maidens all that hear this song, consider what is told here, 
Concerning of this woman kind, that dearly lov'd a Souldier: 
If you with Souldiers be in love, I wish you to be loyal, 
For they to you will faithful prove, if you put them to the trial. 
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and. she a famous Drummer, &c. 
816 
For Love is such a powerful thing, if it be rightly given, 
There cannot be a better gift uhder the copes of Heaven; 
So now, brave Souldiers all, ad~eu! remember what is spoken, 
Come buy my songs, and send the~ to your Sweet-hearts for a token. 
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she a warlike Drummer, 
I would that I had such a mate,: to walk with me this Summer. 
Finis. t,.P. 
London: Printed for F. Coles,~. Wright, T. Vere, & W. Gilbertson. 
Roxburghe Ballads, Vol. VII, p. 730. 
99. THE GALLANT SHE-SOULDIER 
The Gallant She-Souldier; Or, A 
brief Relation of a faithful-hearted Woman, 
Who for the Love that she bore to her Husband, attired her 
selfe in Man's Apparell and so became a Souldier, and 
marcht along with him through Ireland, France, and Spain, 
and never was known to be a Woman till at the last she 
being quartered neer unto Tower-hill, in London, where she 
brought forth a gallant Man-Child, to the wonder of all her 
fellow-Souldiers. Of her valiant actions, honest carriage, 
and excellent behaviour: You shall presently heare (if 
you please). 
The Tune is, Farewell to St. Giles's. 
You noble-minded Souldiers all, that faithful are and 
true, 
This Ditty I have written for love I beare to you; 
Concerning of a Woman that was upright and just, 
Honest in her actions, and true in her trust. 
Seek England, Scotland, and all the world about, 
There's hardly such another to be found out. 
She puts on "man's apparel" to accompany her husband "to 
the wars" and has "many brave adventures" in Ireland, 
France and Spain. Equal to the soldiers in "exercising of 
her Armes" and "other manly practices," she "would Drink 
and take Tobacco, and spend her money to." She becomes 
pregnant, conceals the fact as long as possible, then 
finally delivers a boy "the 16th day of July." Crowds 
come to see mother and son. The ballad concludes with the 
invitation, "All that are desirous to see the young Souldier 
and his Mother, let them repair to the sign of the Black-
Smith's-Armes, in East Smithfield, neere unto Towerhill, 
in London, and inquire for Mr. Clarke, for that was the 
Woman's name." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 728 
III. COMMENTS 
London, Printed for Richard Burton, in 
Smithfield. (1641-74) 
Ebsworth (Rdxburghe Ballads, VII, 729) describes 
this ballad as "written, probably, by Laurence 
Price." More likely this is in imitation of Price's 
818 
Famous Woman Drummer (98.), or vice versa. Even 
if one of the ballads was not modeled on the 
other, they both probably depict the same incident. 
819 
• THE GALLANT SHE-SOULDIER 
The Gallant She-Souldier; Or, A brief Relation 
of a faithful-hearted Woman, 
Who for the Love that she bore to her Husband, attired her 
selfe in Man's Apparell and so became a Souldier, and marcht 
along with him through Ireland, France, and Spain, and never was 
known to be a Woman till at the last she being quartered neere 
unto Tower-hill, in London, where she brought forth a gallant 
Man-Child, to the wonder of all her fellow-Souldiers. Of her 
valiant actions, honest carriage, and excellent behaviour: You 
shall presently heare (if you please). 
The Tune is, Farewell to St. Giles's. 
You noble-minded Souldiers all, that faithful are and true, 
This Ditty I have written for love I beare to you; 
Concerning of a Woman that was upright and just, 
Honest in her actions, and true unto her trust. 
Seek England, Scotland, and all the world about, 
There's hardly such another to be found out. 
Her Husband was a Souldier, and to the wars did goe, 
And she would be his Comrade, the truth of all is so. 
She put on Man's apparel, and bore him company, 
As many in the Army for truth can testify. Seek, &c. 
With Musket on her Shouldier, her part she acted then, 
And every one supposed that she had been a Man; 
Her Bandeleers about her neck, and sword hang'd by her side: 
In many brave adventures her valour have been try'd. 
She oft have crost the Ocean, and travelled over the maine, 
And she have been in Ireland, in famous France and Spaine; 
And now of late returned to lovely London towne, 
And bore her Armes most stoutly, with credit and renowne. 
For exercising of her Armes, good skill indeed had she, 
And knowne to be as active as any one could be; 
For firing of a Musket, or beating of a Drum, 
She might compare assuredly with any one that come. 
For other manly practices she gain'd the love of all, 
For Leaping and for Running, or Wrestling of a fall; 
For Cudgells or for Cuffing, if that occasion were, 
There's hardly one of ten Men that might with her compare. 
820 
Yet civill in her carriage, and modest still was she, 
But with her fellow Souldiers she oft would merry be; 
She would Drink and take Tobacco, and spend her money too, 
When as occasion served, that she had nothing else to do. 
But now behold with wonder what hap'ned at the last, 
After much time in merriment she had in London past, 
She found by several passages her selfe to be with child; 
'Twas by her honest Husband, she could not be beguil'd. 
Yet secretly she kept it, so long as ever she could, 
Till such time a Commander her be[teeming] did behold; 
What is the reason, Tom, quoth he, that you are grown so fatt? 
'Tis strong Beere and Tobacco, Sir, which is the cause of that. 
But when her painefull houre was come, that she must delivered 
be, 
The Women flockt about her, her grievances to see; 
Her Breeches then were pulled off, and there began the wonder, 
For in a short time after she was fallen quite in sunder. 
The sixteenth day of July, as true reports do say, 
The Souldier was delivered of lusty chopping Boy; 
The people that heares of this newes, each day do flock dnd 
run, 
To see the Woman-Souldier and her little pretty Son. 
Some gives her beds and blankets, her Baby for to Nurse, 
Some gives her wholesome dyet, and money in her purse, 
All them that comes to see her their bounty doth bestow: 
Indeed it is but fitting that they should all doe so. 
To draw to a conclusion, I wish in heart and mind 
That Women to their Husbands were every one so kind, 
As she was to her Sweet-heart, her love to him was so, 
That she forsooke all others, along with him to goe. 
Whereby we may perceive and see, and very well approve, 
There's nothing in ye world can be compar'd to faithfull Love; 
The Hammer will breake Marble, and Hunger breake stone-wall, 
But LOVE is sole Commander, and Conqueror of all. 
Seeke England, Scotland, and all the world about, 
There's hardly such another to be found out. 
821 
All that are desirous to see the young Souldier and his Mother, 
let them repair to the sign of the Black-Smith's-Armes, in East 
Smithfield, neere unto Towerhill, in London, and inquire for Mr. 
Clarke, for that was the Woman's name. 
London, Printed for Richard Burton, in Smithfield. 
Roxburghe Ballads, Vol. VII, p. 727. 
822 
100. THE FEMALE WARRIOR (l) 
The Female Warrior. 
Relating how a Woman in Man's attire, got an Ensigns place: 
and so continued till the necessity of making use of a 
Midwife discover'd her. 
This valiant Amazon with courage fill'd, 
For to Display her Colours was well skill'd, 
Till pregnant nature did her Sex discover, 
She fell a pieces, and was made a Mother. 
Tune of I am a jovial Batchelor. 
Come all you jovial buxome Girls, 
attend me here a while, 
Here is a pleasant Story that 
perhaps will make you smile: 
'Tis of a valiant Amazon, 
whose Courage was most free, 
To take up Arms, and march along 
out of the North Country. 
"For the love of a dear friend" a girl who "scorn'd to be 
controul'd" and who "unto wars was inclin'd" serves in the 
army as an "Ensign." She "pushes the Pike," "furls the 
Flag," and so familiarizes herself with playing "cards and 
dice," and with "the Bottle" that she "presumes upon her 
strength, she could not daunted be." However, she becomes 
pregnant and, to her vexation, "her growing belly" forces 
her to admit her sex and "lay the Colours down." 
I.SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Bagford Ballads, I, 322 
Printed for C. Passinger, at the sign of 
the Seven-Stars on London-bridge.(c.1695) 
II.CATALOGUES 
Simpson, 630 
Wing, F671 
823 
THE FEMALE WARRIOR(!) 
The Female Warrior. 
Relating how a Woman in Man's attire, got an Ensigns 
place: and so continued till the necessity of making 
use of a Midwife discover'd her. 
This valiant Amazon with courage fill'd, 
For to Display her Colours was well skill'd, 
Till pregnant nature did her Sex discover, 
She fell a pieces, and was made a Mother. 
Tune of I am a jovial Batchelor. 
Come all you jovial buxoms Girls, 
attend me here a while, 
Here is a pleasant Story that 
perhaps will make you smile: 
'Tis of a valiant Amazon, 
whose Courage was most free, 
To take up Arms, and march along 
out of the North Country. 
The Company to London came, 
to quarter there a space, 
With Allowance. 
And all the while this noble Girl, 
supply'd the Ensigns place: 
And when that she did march along, 
there's none did her suspect, 
Although she lay upon the Guard, 
and never did neglect. 
Her mild behaviour and sweet face, 
much favour did her gain, 
She acted nothing that was base, 
whilst she did there remain: 
But for the love of a dear friend, 
disguised she would go: 
To try her Fortune to the end, 
against the daring Foe. 
You know what strange effects this love 
in many a one hath wrought, 
To dangers and to perrils great, 
it often hath them brought; 
But yet they valu'd not the same, 
no more did this brave Lass, 
Who though she was a jovial Dame, 
did for an Ensign pass. 
824 
.. 
Her colours bravely to display, 
she often had the luck, 
And was at push of Pike some say, 
as good as ever struck: 
To fold her Arms, and furl the Flag 
she was expert and quick, 
And never was a bungler found 
at any pritty trick. 
To play a game at Cards or Dice, 
to pass the time away, 
Or any Gentile exercise, 
she never would say nay. 
But for a Bottle of the best, 
her little heart to cheer, 
She smiling, often would :·protest 
she loved it most dear. 
When she amongst young gallants came, 
she often was afraid, 
Least in their wanton talk she should 
by blushed be betraid; 
But custome made her at the length 
so confident and free, 
She did presume upon her strength, 
she could no daunted be. 
Unto the wars she was inclin'd, 
being of courage bold, 
And always bore a stately mind, 
she scorn'd to be controul'd. 
When Mars and Venus conjunct were, 
'tis thought that she was born, 
Which is an evidence most clear, 
that some must wear the Horn . 
Thus cunningly the time she past, 
and none did her detect, 
Until the Souldiers at the last 
began for to suspect: 
And by some certain signs in short, 
they plainly did perceive 
Their Ensign Metamorphosed, 
and did them all deceive. 
825 
• To make the case more evident, 
and cause it to be known, 
Her growing belly forced her 
to lay the Colours down: 
Unhappy chance it was alas, 
and sore it did her vex, 
Because that she, was found to be, 
one of the Female Sex. 
And now her groaning time being come, 
a Midwife was prepar'd, 
She could not march by beat of Drum, 
nor mount the Court of Guard: 
For why she did in pieces fall, 
here one part, there another, 
Did ever any know the like, 
An Ensigne made a Mother. 
Thus have you heard, as I conceive, 
a Story strange and true, 
And verily I do believe, 
the like you seldom knew: 
Now all that ever can be said, 
she was a jocial Lass, 
(Had not her Belly, her betraid) 
as ever any was. 
Printed for C. Passinger, at the sign of the Seven-Stars on 
London-bridge. 
Bagford Ballads, Vol. I, p. 322. 
826 
C. Ballads in Which the Heroine Disguises 
Herself because of Her Patriotism or Her Desire 
for Adventure (No. 101-107) 
827 
101. THE WOMAN WARRIER 
The Woman Warrier: 
Being An Account of a young Woman who lived in Cow-Cross 
near West Smithfield; who changing her Apparel Entered her 
self on Board, in quality of a Soldier, and sailed to 
Ireland, where she Valliantly behaved her self, parti-
cularly at the Siege of Cork, where she lost her Toes and 
received a Mortal Wound in her Body, of which she since 
Dyed in her return to London. 
To the Tune of Let the Soldiers rejoice. 
Let the Females attend, 
To the Lines which are penn'd, 
For here I shall give a Relation; 
Of a Young marry'd Wife, 
Who did venture her Life, 
For a Soldier, a Soldier she went from the Nation. 
She leaves her husband for "the Ocean, her Life there to 
venture." The Captain admires her, thinking her a "Gentle-
man's Son or a Squire." She fights "under Grafton" in 
Ireland, makes "the proud Tories retire," and loses two 
of her toes in battle. At the siege of Cork she is wounded 
and is returned to England where her sex is revealed, and 
she dies entering London where her parents "with sorrow 
was fill'd, for why they did dearly adore her." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.68/pEB-B65H, II, 307r 
Printed for Charles Bates next to the 
Crown Tavern in West-smith field. 
(1709-12). 
D'Urfey, Pills~ Purge Melancholy (1719), V, 8 
Croker, Historical Songs, 74 
II. CATALOGUES 
Crawford, 764 
Lamson, "Let the Females" 
Simpson, 440 
Wing, W3323 
828 
THE WOMAN WARRIER 
The Woman Warrier: 
Being An Account of a young Woman who lived in 
Cow-Cross near West smithfield; who changing her 
Apparel Entered her self on Board, in quality of 
a Soldier, and sailed to Ireland, where she 
Valliantly behaved her self, particularly at the 
Siege of Cork, where she lost her Toes and received 
a Mortal Wound in her Body, of which she since Dyed 
in her return to London. 
To the Tune of Let the Solders rejoice. 
Licensed according to Order. 
Let the Females attend 
To the Lines which are penn'd, 
For here I shall gi-----ve a Relation, 
Of a young Married Wife, 
Who did venture her Life, 
For a Soldier, a Soldier, 
she went from the Nation. 
She her Husband did leave, 
And did likewise receive 
her Arms and on B----ard she did enter, 
And right valiantly went, 
With a Resolution bent 
To the Ocean, the Ocean, 
her Life there to venture. 
Yet of all the Ship's Crew 
Not a Seaman that knew 
They then had a Wo----man so near'em; 
On the Ocean so deep, 
She her Council did keep, 
Aye, and therefore, and therefore 
she never did fear 'em. 
She was valiant and bold, 
And would not be controll'd 
By any that da----re to offend her; 
If a Quarrel arose, 
She would give them dry Blows, 
And the Captain, the Captain 
did highly commend her. 
829 
• 
For he took her to be 
Then of no mean Degree, 
A Gentleman's So----n or a Squire; 
With a hand white and fair, 
There was none could compare, 
Which the Captain, the Captain 
did often admire • 
On the Irish Shore 
Where the Cannons did roar, 
With many stout La----ds she was landed; 
There her Life to expose, 
She lost two of her Toes, 
And in Battel, in Battel 
was daily conunanded. 
Under Grafton she fought, 
Like a brave hero stout, 
And made the proud To----ries retire; 
She in field did appear 
With a heart void of fear, 
And she bravely, she bravely 
did charge and give fire. 
While the battering Balls, 
Did assault the strong Walls 
Of Cork, and the Swe---et Trumpets sounded, 
She did bravely advance 
Where by unhappy Chance, 
This young Female, young Female, 
was fataly wounded. 
At the end of the fray, 
Still she languishing lay, 
Then over the 0----cean they brought her, 
To her own Native Shore, 
Now they ne'er knew before, 
That a Woman, a Woman, 
had been in that slaughter. 
What she long had conceal'd, 
Now at length she reveal'd, 
That she was a Wo----man that ventur'd, 
Then to London with care, 
She did streight ways repair, 
But she dy'd, oh! she dy'd 
e'er the City she enter'd. 
830 
When her Parents beheld, 
They with Sorrow was fill'd, 
For why they did dear----ly adore her, 
In her Grave now she lies, 
'Tis not watry Eyes, 
No nor, sighing, nor sighting, 
that e'er can restore her. 
Printed for Charles Bates next to the Crown Tavern in 
West-smith field. 
Harvard, 25242.68-pEB-B65H, Vol. II, BS 307 recto 
831 
" 
-~ 
102. THE FEMALE VOLUNTEER([) 
The Female VoLunteer. 
Attention pray you lend an ear to what I am going to say, 
It's of a fearless maiden fair, of spirit light and gay, 
Who volunteered her service,· most strange now to behold, 
And fought in the Union Army like a gallant soldier bold. 
She enlists in the army, and"with courage rare she fought 
most brave." At the battle of "the Wilderness" she dis-
plays great courage. One day while she is "marching," she 
is discovered by a private who rev~als her secret to the 
"Colonel." "Early the next morning" the colonel calls her 
and tells her "a false-hearted young man" betrayed her. She 
replies that she is "a bold undaunted maid" who has fought 
for her country and bids farewell to "each loyal comrade." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Library Company of Philadelphia, 
Wolf, 626 (c. 1864) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wolf, no. 626 
832 
THE FEMALE VOLUNTEER (I) 
The Female Volunteer. 
Attention pay, you lend an ear to what I am going to say, 
It's of a fearless maiden fair, of spirit light and gay, 
Who volunteered her service, most strange now to behold, 
And fought in the Union Army like a gallant soldier bold. 
She enlisted in the service as you may plainly see, 
Unknown to her kind parents, a soldier there to be, 
Beneath the Starry banner to the battle did repair, 
With courage rare she fought most brave, this Female Volunteer. 
At the battle of the Wilderness, where cannons loud did roar, 
And many a gallant hero there lay weltering in his gore, 
Regardless of these fearful scenes, her courage did display, 
And braved the tide of danger in the midst of wild dismay. 
One day as she was marching, as you shall quickly hear, 
A private in the army at her countenance did stare, 
In secret conversation to the Colonel did reveal, 
That young Henry is a female, the truth I'll not conceal. 
Early the next morning, just by the break of day, 
This maiden, she was sent for without no more delay, 
The Colonel viewed her features, he smiled and thus did say, 
A false-hearted young man, fair maid, did you betray. 
She stood amazed, right on she gazed, to the Colonel did reply, 
I am a bold undaunted maid, the truth I'll never deny, 
My life I braved for my Country's sake, until the present day, 
So farewell each loyal comrade for now I must away. 
Far down the annals of our land, recorded be her name, 
Let her heroic deeds inserted be in the history of fame, 
Who was never seen in battle-field to yeild or flinch away, 
So let each loyal patriot now a tribute to her pay. 
Library Company of Philadelphia, No. 626. 
833 
103. THE VALIANT DAMSEL 
Th~ Valiant Damsel; 
Giving an Account of a Maid at Westminster, Who Put Her 
Self in Mans Apparel, and Listed Her Self for a Soldier 
for the W~rs of Flanders 
Tune of, Le~ Mary live love. 
Good People attend, 
I bring a Relation, 
Of Girls in this Nation, 
Who fought to defend 
the Kingdom and Crown: 
In this present Reign, 
They fought on the M~in, 
like strangers to Fate, 
And now here's another, 
And now here's another 
was listed of late. 
First referring to a woman who was wounded "at the Siege 
of Cork," this ballad then tells of a Westminster girl who 
arrays herself "in Robes like a Youth" to "list for Flan-
ders." She tells the captain that her parents are dead, 
and he enlists the "young stripling." Her mother, finding 
"where she lay," secures her discharge and takes the dis-
appointed girl home. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepys Ballads, VI, 221 
Printed for C. Bates, next the Crown-
Tavern, in West-Smithfield. 0690-1712) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Simpson, 437 
III. COMMENTS 
Rollins (Pepys Ballads,VI, 221) suggests that the 
events of the ballad probably date to 1692. 
834 
THE VALIANT DAMSEL 
The Valiant Damsel; 
Giving An Account Of A Maid At Westminster, Who Put Her 
Self In Mans Apparel, And Listed Her Self For A Soldier For 
The Wars Of Flanders 
Tune of, Let Mary live long. 
Licensed according to Order. 
Good People attend, 
I bring a Relation, 
Of Girls in this Nation, 
Who fought to defend 
the Kingdom and Crown: 
In this present Reign, 
They fought on the Main, 
like strangers to Fate, 
And now here's another, 
And now here's another 
was listed of late. 
At fair Ireland, 
In Souldier's Attire, 
A Woman did Fire, 
And valiantly stand 
at the Siege of Cork; 
While the Shot did rebound, 
She received a Wound, 
yet fear'd not the foe; 
And now here's another 
And now here's another 
for Flanders would go. 
A generous Maid, 
Both youthful and pritty, 
In westminster City, 
Her self she array'd, 
in Robes like a Youth, 
To a Captain she came, 
Where her sweet Maiden name 
she chang'd and conceal'd, 
Then listed for Flanders, 
Then listed for Flanders, 
to fight in the field. 
835 
The Captain when he 
Did look on this Beauty, 
Contrary to Duty, 
Was troubled to see 
so pleasant a Youth 
To go out of this Land, 
Under Martial command, 
to face a proud foe; 
But yet this young Stripling, 
But yet this young stripling 
resolved to go. 
My Parents are dead, 
Both Father and Mother, 
And therefore no other 
Thoughts runs in my head, 
but a Soldiers Life: 
If I happen to dye, 
There is no one to cry 
for me, Sir, I know; 
And therefore a Soldier, 
And therefore a Soldier 
to Flanders I'll go. 
Immediately then, 
The Youth being willing, 
Received a shilling, 
With other new men, 
Thus listed was she. 
Lest they should change their mind, 
They were straitways confin'd 
from running away; 
At length her dear Parents, 
At length her dear Parents, 
was told where she lay. 
Her mother strait went, 
Where she did behold her, 
The Damsel she told her, 
There's none should prevent 
her noble design: 
For in brisk Armour bright, 
She resolved to fight, 
and often reply'd: 
There's Captains and Coll'nels, 
There's Captains and Coll'nels 
to stand by our side. 
836 
Dear Daughter forbear, 
You never shall merrit, 
True fame by that Spirit, 
For I have took care 
to get your Discharge. 
When she found it was so, 
And that home she must go, 
her grief did excell. 
In Westminster City, 
In Westminster City 
this Damsel does dwell. 
Printed for C. Bates, next the Crown-Tavern, in West-Smithfield. 
The Pepys Ballads, Vol. VI, p. 221. 
837 
.• 
·• 
104. THE FEMALE SOULDIER 
The Female Souldiei: Or, 
The Virgin Voluriteer 
To the Tune of, Let the Souldiers Rejoyce. 
I Sing in the Fame 
Of a pritty young Dame, 
And praise of her Warlike behaviour; 
With a heart void of fear, 
She went Volunteer, 
No Souldier, no Souldier, could ever do braver. 
Going by the name of "John Change," a woman enlists as a 
soldier, sleeps "with a young brisk Comrade" and rises 
"undiscover'd a Maid in the Morning." She is sent to 
"Tilbury Fort," but, being "too short," she is sent back. 
Waiting to be made "a Dragooner," her sex is discovered 
by a comrade "when they both were in Bed," and she rises 
and runs home. The ballad exhorts "each jolly blade" to 
fight "for King William." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Pepys Ballads, VI, 301 
Printed for C. Bates next the Crown-
Tavern, in West-Smithfield. (1690-1712) 
II. CATALOGUES 
Simpson, 440 (The tune "Let the Souldiers Rejoyce" 
is from Henry Purcell's 1690 opera The Prophet-
ess. 
838 
• THE FEMALE SOULDIER 
The Female Souldier: 
Or, The Virgin Volunteer: 
To the Tune of, Let the Souldiers Rejoyce. 
Licensed according to Order. 
I Sing in the Fame 
Of a pritty young Dame, 
And praise of her Warlike behaviour; 
With a heart void of fear, 
She went Volunteer, 
No Souldier, no Souldier, could ever do braver. 
John Change, by that Name, 
To the Marshal she came, 
Disguised, and said she was willing, 
To serve their Majesties, 
On the Land or the Seas; 
The Marshal then Listed the Youth with a shilling. 
Then he Cloath'd her in Red, 
Put a Sword by her side, 
With all things a Souldier adorning: 
Who at night went to Bed 
With a young brisk Comrade, 
And rose undiscover'd a Maid in the Morning. 
So pritty a Face, 
And so comely a Grace, 
With an Eloquent Tongue so Ingenious, 
Had her new Comrade 
Known she was a Maid, 
No doubt he'd a serv'd her as Mars did his Venus. 
To Tilbury Fort, 
She was sent, being too short, 
For the Guards which in Town now are Quarter'd: 
But too young being thought, 
Was back again brought, 
Thus all her designs by ill Fortune were thwarted. 
839 
At the Marshals she lay, 
Still expecting each day 
To be Mustred and made a Dragooner: 
But an unlucky trick, 
Happen'd just in the nick, 
A scurvy Misfortune chanc'd to light upon her. 
One Night her Comrade, 
When they both were in Bed, 
Mistrusting what he would not tell her: 
As she lay asleep, 
Did close to her creep, 
And found a she Volunteer was his Bed-fellow. 
When the Riddle was known, 
She arose and run home, 
With such innocent Blushes they'd charm yee: 
Then what need we fear 
The French coming here, 
Since young pritty Women run into the Army. 
Let the Souldiers now raise, 
A new Trophy in praise 
Of a Virgin as brave as a Roman: 
Why may not each Wench, 
Encounter the French, 
Since the bravest of Heroes are conquer'd by Women. 
Let each jolly Blade, 
Do then as this Maid, 
And with Courage go fight for King William: 
Were all men so stout, 
We the French soon should rout, 
Our true English Courage with Terror should fill 'em. 
FINIS. 
Printed for C. Bates next the Crown-Tavern, in West-Smithfield. 
The Pepys Ballads, Vol. VI, p. 301. 
840 
105. THE HANDSOME CABIN BOY (N-13) 
(The Handsome Cabin Boy; The Female Cabin Boy; 
The Handsome Cabin Boy, or a Row among the Sailors) 
Fem.ale Cabin Boy 
It is of a pretty female as you shall understand, 
She had a mind for roving unto a foreign land, 
Attired in Sailor's clothing she boldly did appear. 
And engaged with the captain to serve him for one year 
The "Captain's lady" who is on board enjoys "the handsome 
cabin boy." The captain soon finds out "her secret," and 
the sailors smile and say "he looks just like a girl." In 
the "Bay of Biscay" the cabin boy groans in childbirth and 
calls for the doctor. The sailors swear the child is not 
theirs, and the lady says to the captain, "It's either you 
or I betray'd the female cabin boy." All drink "success to 
trade and likewise to the cabin boy, though neither man nor 
maid." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784,II 
Stephenson's Slap-Up-Songs. (1821-38) 
25243.lOPF 
25242.17, III, 201 
J. Todd, Easingwold. (c.1855) 
25242.17, IV, 68 
W.R. Walker, Royal Arcade, Newcastle. 
(1856-66) 
25242.17, V, 37 
25242.17, VII, 75 
25242.17, IX, 52 
John O. Bebbington, 22, Goulden Street, 
Oldham Road, Manchester. (c.1855-70) 
25242.17, XI, 140 
Such's Song Mart, 123, Union Street, Boro'--
SE (1849-69) 
Uncat. Misc. BSS 
Uncat. Misc. BSS, folder 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
Uncat. BSS, II 
John Harkness, 
Preston. 
Uncat. BSS, II 
W. Dever, 18, 
Printer, Church-Street, 
(1839-60) 
Great St. Andrew Street, 7 
841 
Dials, London. (1828-40) 
Uncat. BSS, III 
KVB, p.v.3, 126 
Swindells, Printer, Manchester. (1760-1853) 
New York Public L~brary/Music Division, 
Sp. Coll.,BS Coll. 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850-70) 
*MP.US, American Songs and Ballads 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850-70) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Coll. of BS Songs, II, 125 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850-70) 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Uncat. BSS 
L. Deming, at the Sign of the Barber's 
Pole, No. 61, Hanover St. Boston, and 
at Middlebury, Vt. (1838-43) 
Uncat. BSS 
published by Horace Partridge, No. 27, 
Hanover St., Boston. (c.1850-70) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
Coll S6981, II, 141 
H. DeMarsan, 54 Chatham St., New York. 
(c.1850) 
Cambridge, 
Madden Coll., XVI, no. 691 
Walker, Printer, Durham. 
Huntington Library, 
259490, Coll. Songs. American 
(1797-1886) 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 60 chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850-70) 
297337, Coll. of 300 BS Ballads, I 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth-
court, 7 Dials. (1836-38) 
Library Company of Philadelphia, 
Wolf 836 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850-70) 
Princeton/Rare Book D~vision, 
EX Prll81 XC6, 1080 
842 
Printed and Sold by James Lindsay Wholesale 
Stationer, &c., 11 King Street, (City) 
Glasgow. 
Providence Public Library/Special Collections, 
Irish BS Ballads 
Irish BS Ballads 
UCLA/Folklore Archive, 
National Library of Ireland BSS 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
11605 
London:--Printed at Such's Song Mart, 123 
Union Street, Boro'--SE (1849-69) 
11605 
H. DeMarsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, 
New York. (c.1850-70) 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, I, 16 
B. Folksong Versions 
Library of Congress/Archive of Folk Song, 
Davids MSS, 13 (Fla., c. 1924) 
Gordon MSS, 1520 (NS) 
British Broadcasting Corporation Archive of 
Recorded Sound, 
17035 (Leader LEE 4054) 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
183, p. 240 (Waterford, 1936) 
Folktracks FSA 60-098 (recording) 
Gardner and Chickering, 399 
Peacock, II, 280 
Dunn, 79 
Karpeles, Cecil Sharp's Coll., II, 80 
Purslow, Marrow Bones, 32 
Reeves, Idiom£!. People, 110 
Greig-Duncan, 486, no. 181 
Ord, 160 
II. CATALOGUES 
Laws, 209 
Wolf, no. 836 
Wilgus-Long 
843 
THE HANDSOME CABIN BOY (N-13) 
The Female Cabin Boy. 
Or, the Row among the Sailors. 
Tune,--Female Drummer. 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3, Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. 
It's of a pretty female as you shall understand, 
She had a mind of roving into a foreign land 
Attired in sailor's clothing she boldly did appear, 
And engaged with the captain to serve him for one year. 
She engaged with the captain as cabin boy to be, 
The wind it was in favor so they soon put out to sea 
The captain's lady being on board who seem'd it to enjoy, 
So glad the captain had engaged the pretty cabin boy. 
So nimble was that pretty maid & done her duty well 
But mark what followed often the thing itself will tell 
The captain with that pretty maid did oftimes kiss and toy, 
For he soon found out the secret of the female cabin boy. 
Her cheeks appeared like roses and with her side locks curled 
The sailors often smiled and said he looks just like a girl, 
By eating captain's biscuit her colour did destroy, 
And the waist did swell of pretty Nell the pretty cabin boy. 
As thro' the Bay of Biscay their gallant ship did plow, 
One night among the sailors there was a pretty row, 
They bundled from their hammocks it did their rest destroy, 
And they swore about the groaning of the handsome cabin boy. 
0 doctor, 0 dcotor, the cabin boy did cry, 
The sailors swore by all was good the cabin boy would die, 
The doctor ran with all his might and smiling at the fun, 
For to think a sailor lad should have a daughter or son. 
844 
The sailors when they heard the joke they all began to stare, 
The child belong'd to none of them they solemnly did swear, 
The lady to the captain said, my dear I wish you joy, 
For it's either you or I betray'd the handsome cabin boy. 
So they all took a bumper and drank success to trade, 
And likewise to the cabin boy, tho' neither man nor maid, 
And if the waves should rise again the sailors to destroy, 
Why then we must ship some sailors like the handsome cabin boy. 
Huntington Library, 297337 , I 
845 
106. THE FEMALE DRUMMER 
(The Female Drummer; The Pretty Drummer Boy) 
The Female Drummer 
A maiden I was at the age of sixteen, 
From my friends I ran away and a soldier became, 
I listed in a regiment and a drummer I was made, 
And I learnt to beat on a drum, rum-a-dum. 
She recounts many battles with the French in which "so bold-
ly [she] fought." She was with "the noble Duke of York, 
at the siege of Valenciens" until she was sent back to 
England. With her "hat and feather" she passed as a man, 
and "the drummer's enjoyed [her] with [her] fingers long and 
small." In London a girl falls in love with her and con-
veys her secret to her officers who order her "a bounty 
from the king" for her courage. Now she has a husband whom 
she has taught to play the drum. Should war be proclaimed 
again, she would fight for the king. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25252 .19, ch. 31 
Edinburgh: Printed by J. Morren.(1800-20) 
54-784, I 
W. and T. Fordyce, Printers, 48, Dean-Street, 
Newcastle. (1837-41) 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 48, Dean Street, Newcastle. 
(1829-37) 
25243.lOPF 
25242.17, I, 132 
Spencer, Bradford 
25242.17, II, 75 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, Sadler-Street, 
Durham. (c.1835-59) 
25242.17, IV, 96 
W.R. Walker, Royal Arcade, 
Tyne; and may be had of B. 
gate, Carlisle. 
25242.17, v, 58 
25242.17, VII, 186 
Newcastle-upon-
Stewart, Botcher-
(1856-66) 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 
7 Dials. (1813-35) 
25242.17, x, 64 
25242.17, XIII,· 36 
H. Such, 177 (late 123), Union-street, 
846 
Boro'--SE and Sold by W. Watts at 83 
White Cross-st., St. Luke's. (c.1869) 
25242.74, Bluebound book, 18 
New York Public Library/Music Division, 
BS Coll 
London: Printed at the "Catnach" Press by 
W.S. [Fortey] (1859-82) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Ballad Garland, 1826 (1826) 
Library of Congress/Music Division, 
Uncat. BSS 
L. Deming, No. 62, Hanover Street, 2d door 
from Friend Street, Boston. (1832-34) 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Thomas 87 
Thomas 253 
N. Coverly, Jr. Printer, Milk-street, 
Boston. (1810-23) 
Uncat. Ballads 
at the corner of Marshall and Hanover 
Streets, Boston (N. Caverly, Jun., 
c.1805) 
Brown University/John Hay Library, 
LBSS HC/HB17819 
B/HB3491 
HB2690,p.81 Coll.S433.2 
Printed and Sold at No. 25, High Street, 
Providence. (H. Trumbull, 1826-36) 
Massachusetts Historical Society, 
Bdse 
Bdse 
Hunts and Shaw, No. 2 Mercantile Wharf, and 
Head of City Wharf. (1837-42) 
J.G. Hunt, at NE corner of Faneuil Hall 
Market, Commercial St., Boston. (1836) 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex3598.847 
Birt, Printer, 
Seven Dials. 
39, Great St. Andrew Street 
(1829-41) 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
PR974C691, Coll. of 12 English Chapbooks,c.1839-50 
American Songster (1860), 79 
847 
Palmer, 163 
B. Folksong Versions 
British Broadcasting Corporation Archive of 
Recorded Sound, 
22915 
Irish Folklore Collections, 
MacDonagh, 583 
Peacock, II, 346 
Dallas, 34 
Purslow, Wanton Seed, 41 
Stubbs, Life of Man, 34 
Topic 12Tl67 (recording) 
Topic 12T258 (recording) 
Greig, Folk-Song £i. North-East, CIV 
Greig-Duncan, 488, no. 182 
494, no. 183 
Ord, 311 
Gael-Linn CEF 043 (12"LP)(recording) 
S. Henry, no. 497 
II. CATALOGUES 
Ferguson, "On Some Additions," 61 
Ford, Broadsides, 442, no. 3346 
Thomson, 32, no. 146 and 147 
848 
THE FEMALE DRUMMER 
Four Excellent New Songs. The Female Drunnner. Come 
under my pladdie with the Answer. The Kail Brose of 
Auld Scotland. 
Edinburgh: Printed by J. Morren. 
The Female Drunnner. 
When I was a girl of the age of sixteen, 
From my parents run away and a soldier I became 
I listed for a private and a drunnner I became, 
I learned to beat on a rum a dum a dum. 
Many a prank I've seen in the field, 
Many is the French dog to me has been forc'd to yield 
Many is the slaughter I've seen among the French 
And so boldly as I fought when I was but a wench. 
A noble top gallant I have been in my time, 
With the noble Duke of York at the siege of Valencienes, 
I got favour'd by my officers for fear I should be slain, 
And they sent me to old England recruiting again. 
With my hat cap and feather, if you had me seen 
You would have said and sworn that a man I had been. 
The drunnners all envy'd me my fingers long and small, 
I beat upon my rum a dum the best of them all. 
Every night to my quarters when that I came, 
I was no ways ashamed to ly with a man, 
When stripping of my breeches to myself I often smil'd, 
To lie with a soldier and a maid all the while. 
They sent me to London on guard of the tower, 
Where I might have been a maid to this very day and hour 
A young girl fell in love with me, I told her I was a maid, 
And she through the regiment my secret betray'd. 
My officer he sent for me to know if that was true 
For scarce such a thing I can believe of you. 
They smiled unto me and this is what they said, 
It's a pitty we should lose such a drunnner as you made 
My girl for your loyalty at the siege of Valenciennes 
My girl you shall be allowed a bounty from the Queen 
And now I've got a husband, and a drummer he's become, 
And I have learned him to beat on my rum a dumdum. 
849 
Here's a health to the Duke and a health unto his crew, 
And a health unto every boy that sticks to his colours true. 
And if the Duke be short of men before the French gets slain, 
So boldly as I'll enter and fight for him again. 
Harvard, 25252.19, Ch. 31 
850 
THE FEMALE DRUMMER 
Female Drunnner. 
A maiden I was at the age of sixteen, 
From my parents run away, and a soldier became; 
I enlisted in a regiment, a drummer I become, 
Where I learned for to beat upon a rub a dub a dum. 
My hat, cap, and feather, if you had but seen, 
A noble Duke of York, at the siege of Allenseine; 
The drum boys all admired me, my fingers neat and small, 
I could beat upon my drum a drum the best of them all. 
Many is the prank I have play'd in the field, 
And many a proud Frenchman I caus'd for to yield; 
My officers they guarded me for fear I'd be slain, 
And they sent me to old England, recruiting back again. 
Every night when to my quarters I came, 
To lie with a soldier I was not asham'd; 
When pulling off my small clothes to myself I did often smile, 
To think I lay with a soldier, a maid all the while. 
They sent me up to London, to keep guard over the tower, 
Or I should have been a maid until this very day and hour; 
A lady fell in love with me, I told her I was a maid, 
And she unto my officer the secret betrayed. 
My officer he came to me to know if it was true, 
I said, sir, what you ask me, I cannot deny to you; 
He smiled at me and said, my pretty fair maid, 
It's a pity we should lose such a drummer as you made. 
For your good behavior at the siege of Allenseine, 
A bounty shall on you be laid by your noble queen; 
And now I have a husband, a drummer he's become, 
And I learn him for to beat upon the rub a dub a dum. 
851 
Here's a health to me, and another unto you, 
And every young man that sticks to his colors true; 
And if the Duke is short of men, before he should be slain, 
So boldly I would march away and fight for him again. 
Sold wholesale and retail by Hunts and Shaw, No. 2 Mercantile Wharf, 
and head of City Wharf 
Massachusetts Historical Society, Broadsides, 1837-41. 
852 
... 
THE FEMALE DRUMMER 
The Female Drummer 
When I was a young girl at the age of sixteen, 
Far from my parents ran away all for to serve the Queen, 
The officer enlisting me said I was a nice young man; 
I think you'll make a drummer, so it's come along young man. 
So it's come along young man, so it's come along young man, 
I think you'll make a drummer, so it's come along young man. 
I was sent up to my quarters all for to go to bed, 
And sleeping by a soldier's side I did not feel afraid, 
In pulling off my red jacket it often made me smile, 
To think I was a drummer and a maiden all the while. 
And a maiden, etc. 
My waist being long and slender, my fingers thin and small, 
All for to beat upon the drum I soon exceeded all. 
I played upon my kettledrums like other drummers played, 
I played upon my kettledrums and still remained a maid. 
And still remained, etc. 
I was sent up to London all for to guard the Tower, 
And there I might have been till this very day and hour, 
But a young girl fell in love with me, I told her I was a maid, 
And straightway to my officer the secret she betrayed. 
The secret, etc. 
The officer he sent for me to know if it was true, 
Of such a thing I cannot nor I won't believe of you. 
He looked me in the face and he smiled as he said, 
It's a pity we should lose you such a drummer as you've made. 
Such a drummer, etc. 
So fare you well, dear officer, you have been kind to me, 
And likewise dear comrades, I'm not forgetting thee, 
And if your army should be short for the want of any man, 
I'll put on my hat and feather and I'll march with you again. 
I'll march with you, etc. 
Purslow, Wanton Seed, 41. 
853 
107. THE FEMALE SMUGGLER 
(The Female S-uggler; The. Female Smuggular; 
The Female smuggler and the Bold Commodore) 
The Female Smuggler 
Come, attend a while, and you shall hear, 
By the Rolling Sea l~ved a maiden fair, 
Her father followed the ~muggling trade, 
Like a warlike hero that never was afraid. 
"In sailor's clothing" Jane takes up the trade brandishing 
"pistols, sword, and two daggers." She encounters "a 
strange sail~ and the two vessels engage in battle. Jane 
and her crew beat "the robbers~ taking "their store." A 
"commodore of the blockade" orders her to surrender, but 
she refuses, shooting him and attempting to escape. She is 
captured by another ship and "put in irons." Brought to 
trial, she enters "dress'd like a bride." When the com-
modore sees her he drops charges, begs for a pardon for her, 
and marries her. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
54-784, I 
W. Stephenson of the Cheap Song Emporium 
No. 8 Bridge Stroe (1821-38) 
54-784, I 
W. and T. Fordyce, Printers, Dean Street, 
Newcastle. (1837-41) 
54-784, I 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, 46 Sadler-
Street, Durham. Sold by J. Livsey, 43 
Hanover-Street, Shudhill, Manchester. 
54-784, I 
Fordyce, Printer, 
Newcastle. 
25242.17, I, 135 
Spencer, Bradford 
25242.17, II, 20 
(1846-51) 
48, Dean Street, 
(1829-37) 
George Walker, Jun., Printer,.46 Sadler-
Street, Durham. Sold by J. Livsey, 43 
Hanover-Street, Shudhill, Manchester. 
(1846-51) 
25242.17, IV, 10 
W.R. Walker, Royal Arcade, Newcastle-on-
Tyne, and may be had of B. Stewart, Botcher-
854 
• 
gate, Carlisle. 
25242.17, IV, 208a 
(1856-66) 
Forth, Printer, Pocklington. (c.1855) 
25242.17, VI', 237 
Cad~an, PrLnter, 152 Great Ancoats St., 
Manchester. (c.1850) 
25242.17, IX, 182 
Bebbington, Printer, 22 Goulden Street, 
Oldham Road, Manchester, Sold by H. 
Andrews 27 Peter St., Leeds. (c.1855) 
25242.17, XI, 11 
Such's Song Mart 123, Union Street, 
Borough, London. (1849-69) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB , p • v. 3 , 16 
Swindells, Printer [Manchester] (1760-1853) 
Uncat. BSS, II 
New York Public Library/Music Division, 
Sp. Coll., BS Coll. 
H. DeMarsan, 38 and 60 Chatham St., New 
York. (c.1850) 
Sp. Coll., BS Coll. 
A.W. Auner's Card and Job Printing Rooms, 
Tenth and Race Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. 
(c.1850-70) 
*MP.US, American Songs and Ballads 
H. DeMarsan, 38 and 60 Chatham St., New 
York. (c.1850) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
Coll. of BS Songs, II, 90 
H. DeMarsan, 38 and 60 Chatham St., New 
York. (c.1850) 
Songs. Civil War, I, 171 
Johnson, Song Publisher, No. 7.lOth St., 
Philadelphia. (c.1850-70) 
Library of Congress/Music Division, 
Uncat. BSS 
Johnson, Song Publisher, No. 
Philadelphia. 
American Antiquarian Society, 
Uncat. BSS 
7. 10th St. 
(c.1850-70) 
A.W. Auner's Card and Job Printing Rooms, 
Tenth and Race Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. 
(c.1850-70) 
Cambridge, 
855 
Madden Coli., XVI, no. 122 
W. and T. Fordyce, Printers, 48 Dean-
street, Newcastle and at 43, Myton Gate, 
Hull. (1837-41) 
Huntington Library, 
259490, Coll. Son.gs. American 
H. DeMarsan, 38 and 60 Chatham St., New 
York. (c.1850) 
Library Company of Philadelphia, 
Wolf no. 625 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
://605 
:/1605 
at Such's Song Mart, 123 Union Street, 
Borough, London. (1849-69) 
A. Ryle, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court, 
7 Dials. (1845-59) 
PR974C691, Coll. of Chapbooks 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, V, 72 
BS Ballads, V, 153 
Yale, 
J. Catnach, 2 and 3, Monmouth-Court, 7 
Dials. (1836-38) 
IIb57Tl, Fraser Ballads, X, 62 
Hodges, Printer (from Pitts) Wholesale Toy 
and Marble warehouse, 6 Great St. Andrew 
street, 7 Dials. (1844-c.50) 
Beadle's Dime Melbdist (1859) 
Beadle's Dime Song Book, IX, 63 
Sanford's~ntaTI"o~lodies (1860), 46 
Ashton, Modern Street Ballads, 246 
B. Folksong Versions 
Peacock, II, 333 
Shay, Sea Songs, 190 
Whall,-rf 
II. CATALOGUES 
Wolf, no. 625 
856 
• 
THE FEMALE SMUGGLER 
Come list awhile, and you soon shall hear, 
By the rolling sea liv'd a maiden fair, 
Her father follow'd the smuggling trade, 
Like a warlike hero that ne'er was afraid. 
In sailor's clothing young Jane did go, 
Drest like a sailor from top to toe; 
Her aged father was the only care 
Of the female smuggler, who never did despair. 
With her pistols loaded she went on board, 
By her side hung a glittering sword, 
In her belt two daggers--well arm'd for war, 
Was the female smuggler, who never fear'd a scar. 
Not far they sailed from the land, 
When a strange sail put them all to a stand; 
Those are sea-robbers, this maid did cry, 
The female smuggler will conquer or die. 
Close alongside these two vessels came, 
Cheer up, said Jane, we'll board the same, 
We'll run all chances to rise or fall, 
Cried the female smuggler, who never fear'd a ball. 
They beat the robbers, and took their store, 
And soon return'd to old England's shore; 
With a keg of brandy she walk'd along, 
Did the female smuggler, and sweetly sung a song. 
Not far she travell'd before she espied 
A commodore of the blockade, 
He said--surrender, or you must fall, 
But the female smuggler said, I never fear'd a ball. 
What do you mean? said the commodore--
I mean to fight, for my father's poor, 
Then she pulled the trigger, and shot him through, 
Did the female smuggler, and to her father flew. 
But she was follow'd by the blockade, 
In irons strong they put this fair maid: 
But when they brought her to be tried, 
The female smuggler stood dress'd like a bride. 
857 
The commodore against her appear'd, 
His health restor'd, and from danger clear'd; 
But when he found, to his great surprise, 
'Twas a female smuggler had fought him in disguise--
He to the judge and jury said, 
My heart won't let me prosecute that maid, 
Pardon I beg for her on my knees, 
She's a valiant maiden, so pardon if you please. 
If you pardon that maid, said the gentleman, 
To make her my bride is my plan; 
Then I would be happy for evermore, 
With the female smuggler, said the bold commodore. 
Then the commodore to her father went, 
Though he was poor, to get his consent; 
He gain'd consent, so the commodore, 
And the female smuggler are join'd for evermore. 
W. & T. Fordyce, Printers, 48 Dean-street, Newcastle and at 
43, Myton Gate, Hull. 
Madden Collection, Vol. XVI, No. 122. 
858 
• 
• 
THE FEMALE SMUGGLER 
Female Smuggular. 
In sailor's clothing young Jane did go, 
Dressed like a smuggular from top to toe, 
With a brace of pistuals all by her side, 
Like a warlike hero, like a warlike hero, 
In all his martial pride. 
Like a female smuggular, like a female smuggular, 
So galliant and bold. 
What do you mean? sed de commodore, 
I mean to fight for my fader's store. 
She took her seben inch revolvayure, 
And she shot de commodore, and she shot him through, 
And den to her fader flew. 
Like a female smuggular, &c. 
But the police followed her with an arrest, 
When her saileur's clothuing Jane put in her chest, 
Oh, they searched the forecastle, the cabin and poop, 
And they found sweet Jane, they found sweet Jane, 
A puttin' on her hoop. 
Like a female smuggular, &c. 
In her natural garments they dressed young Jane, 
And her sex the commodore did ascertain; 
Then the commodore he soon got well, 
And he felt much beter, and he felt much better, 
Case he was nursed by a nice young gal. 
Like a female smuggular, &c. 
But when young Jane at the bar did stand, 
He made her a hoffuer ob his heart and hand, 
And the female smuggular and de commodore 
Libed forever happy, and hab little smuggulars, 
A dozen now, or more. 
Like a female smuggular, &c • 
859 
Now all young maidens who follow the sea, 
Neher gib in--fight for victory; 
The female smuggular was nobly wed, 
And libed quite happy, and she libed quite happy, 
She died, and now she's dead. 
Like a female smuggular, &c. 
Library Company of Philadelphia, BS 625. 
860 
THE FEMALE SMUGGLER 
The Female Smuggler. 
In sailieur's clothing young Jane did go, 
Dress'd like a sailieur from top to toe, 
With a brace of pistuels all by her side, 
Like a female smuggler, 
Like a female smuggler that fear'd not wind nor tide. 
What do you want? says the commodore, 
I come to fight for my father's store--
She drew a pisteul and shot him through, 
Like a female smuggler, like a female smuggler, 
Then to her parient flew! 
Oh! mothier, mothier, make my bed, 
In a seving foot grave have me buiried--
Let four young maidings my body bear. 
Like a female smuggler, like a female smuggler, 
That nothing could scare! 
She says my heart is for ever broke, 
And as these cruel words she spoke, 
She swallowed laudlium and perished, 
Like a female smuggler, like a female smuggler 
She died, and now she's dead. 
UCLA/SC, Beadle's Dime Melodist. (New York: William Hall & Son, 1859). 
861 
THE FEMALE SMUGGLER 
Female Smuggler. 
New Edition. 
'Tis of a maid as I've heard tell, 
In Philamydelphia city she does dwell, 
Her galli-ant deeds, no one would share, 
For she was a female smugular, 
A female smugular, that nothing could scare. 
Chorus. 
For she was a female smugular, 
A female smugular, that nothing could scare. 
She fell in love with a drover's son, 
Who very soon her affections won, 
But his parients wouldn't let him share, 
His love for this female smugular, 
With this female smugular, 
This female smugular that nothing could scare. 
Chorus.--For she was, &c. 
She went upstairs to go to bed, 
And on the floor she bumped her head, 
Then she raved, and swore, and tore her hair, 
Did this female smugular, 
Did this female smugular, that nothing could scare. 
Chorus.--For she was, &c. 
Oh mother, mother, makey my bed, 
And in a seven foot grave let me be laid, 
And six young feminines my body bear, 
Said the female smugular, 
Said the female smugular that nothing could scare. 
Chorus.--For she was, &c. 
UCLA/SC, Sanford's Plantation Melodies. (Pittsburgh: Hunt and 
Miner, 1860), p. 46. 
862 
THE FEMALE SMUGGLER 
The Female Smuggler 
Come listen a while and you soon shall hear 
Of a comely maiden I do declare, 
Her father he followed the smuggling trade, 
Like a warlike hero, 
Like a warlike hero she never was afraid. 
With two loaded pistols she went on board, 
Down by her side hung a glittering sword, 
In her belt two daggers, well-armed for war 
Stood the female smuggler, 
Stood the female smuggler saying, "I never feared a scar." 
They had not sailed long on the deep 
Before they spied oh that Turkish fleet. 
"They are sea-robbers," young Jane did cry, 
But said she to her father, 
But said she to her father, "We will conquer them or die." 
They beat those robbers and saved their store, 
And they soon returned to old England's shore. 
With her keg of brandy she marched along, 
Did the female smuggler, 
Did the female smuggler and she sweetly sang a song. 
But the commodore oh from the blockade 
He said, "Surrender!" to that pretty maid. 
He said "Surrender, or you shall fall." 
Said the female smuggler, 
Said the female smuggler, "I never feared a ball." 
Said she then unto the commodore, 
"I will bravely fight for my father's store." 
She pulled the trigger and she shot him through, 
Did the female smuggler, 
Did the female smuggler and to her father flew. 
But she was followed from the blockabe, 
And in irons strong they put that fair maid. 
Next morning when she was brought forth to be tried 
'Twas the female smuggler, 
'Twas the female smuggler, she stood dressed just like a bride. 
863 
The commodore he then on her gazed, 
To see that fair one he was amazed, 
'Twas there he found to his great surprise 
'Twas the female smuggler, 
'Twas the female smuggler, she had fought him in disguise. 
The commodore to the jury said: 
"My mind won't let me persecute that maid, 
I will beg her pardon upon my knees, 
For she's a gallant maiden, 
For she's a gallant maiden so pardon her if you please." 
"I will pardon her," the wise judge replied. 
Said the commodore, "I will make her my bride." 
Now they lived happy forevermore, 
Did the female smuggler, 
Did the female smuggler with her young commodore. 
Peacock, Vol. II, p. 332. 
864 
.. 
IV. MISCELLANEOUS BALLADS 
(No. 108-113) 
865 
108. THE VALIANT MAIDENS 
The Valiant Maidens 
Farewell my sweet and pretty Poll, 
Since I am prest. and forc'd to go, 
To serve the nation in a sailor station 
Like jolly tars to face our foe. 
He offers her his "watch and rings according to the 
pleasant hours" he has "spent along with [her]." He says 
that there are "500 valiant maidens, and ev'ry one resolv'd 
to go 11 in disguise to 11 face their foe. 11 He maintains that 
they will 11 be staunch unto [their] guns." He asks God to 
"preserve our gracious king." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Yale, 
Ib57t800, Coll. of Popular English Songbooks 
(The Pleasing Songster) 
London: Printed and Sold by J. Evans, 
No. 41, Long-lane, West Smithfield. 
(1790-1820) 
866 
THE VALIANT MAIDENS 
The Pleasing Songster: Being A Choice Collection 
of the Newest and most Favorite Songs, Now Sung in 
the Different Places of Public Amusement, &c. 
London: Printed and Sold by J. Evans, 
No. 41, Long Lane, West Smithfield. 
23. The Valiant Maidens 
Farewell my sweet and pretty Poll, 
Since I am prest and forc'd to go, 
To serve the nation in a sailor station 
Like jolly tars to face our foe. 
F come on board for my will & power 
My watch and rings give to thee, 
According to the pleasant hours, 
My dear I have spent along with thee 
There are 500 valiant maidens, 
And ev'ry one resolv'd to go 
Without hair and wear long trowsers, 
Like jolly tars they'll face their foe. 
We will stand watch with sword and pistol 
And when our enemies do come 
We'll observe our boatswains whistle 
And we'll be staunch unto our guns. 
Broadside for broadside we will return them, 
While we have life or limbs to stand, 
And God preserve our gracious king, 
And send him long to rule the land. 
Yale, Ib57t800 
867 
109. THE FEMALE VOLUNTEER (II) 
The Female Volunteer 
Air.--The White Cockade. 
In danger's hour, when haughty foes 
Our British stan~ard dare oppose, 
When our gallant lads are obliged to roam 
Why should women idly stay at home? 
I'm volunteer turn'd, and indeed what's more 
A smart drill'd sergeant of the corps; 
And whenever old England's claims require, 
Can soon make ready, present, and fire! 
"A merry little wag in a scarlet frock," she will fight 
"Britain's foes," and she will win the day for "the 
British throne," and "pink the cowards as they fly." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, 
Ex3598.847 
Pitts, Printer, Wholesale Toy and Marble 
Warehouse, 6 Great St Andrews St., Seven 
Dials. (1819-44) 
Songsters Multum in pgrvo, III, 113 
Universal Songster"; I, 82 
Wilson, Mtisical Cytlopedia (1834), 210 
III. COMMENTS 
Wilson (Songsters Multum, 113) describes the piece 
as "written by Mr. C. Dibdin, and sung by Mrs. 
Dibdin, in character, with universal applause, at 
the aquatic theatre, Sadlers Wells." The composer 
must have been the younger Charles Dibdin, son of 
Charles Dibdin, senior. Arundell (Story of Sadler's 
Wells, 71) states that the water tanks were installed 
in Sadler's Wells in 1804, at which point it became 
"the new water theatre." Mrs. Dibdin died in 1816, 
so The Female Volunteer was performed between 1804 
and°J:816. Arundell describes The British Amazons, 
a revue by Dibdin, which satirized the volunteer 
system begun in 1803. "The show ended with the female 
volunteers in scarlet doing.military exercises~(71) 
The Female Volunteer may have been part of this revue. 
868 
THE FEMALE VOLUNTEER (II) 
The Female Volunteer 
Air.--The White Cockade. 
In danger's hour, when haughty foes 
Our British standard dare oppose, 
When our gallant lads are obliged to roam 
Why should women idly stay at home? 
I'm volunteer turn'd, and indeed what's more 
A smart drill'd sergeant of the corps; 
And whenever old England's claims require, 
Can soon make ready, present, and fire! 
I'm a merry little wag in a scarlet frock, 
And my heart's as stout as my musket stock, 
The rat-tat-to I love to hear, 
Like a merry little British Volunteer! 
With Britain's foes what can't we do, 
When sirs, you must own, we conquer you, 
See us marshall'd out and the fight begun, 
The word's charge bayonet, away they run! 
While we pink the cowards as they fly, 
Till loudly all for quarter cry; 
And as mercy's the pride of the British throne, 
The word's ground arms! and the day's our own! 
I'm a, &c. 
Their arms all grounded to our view, 
To take up arms! is of course our due; 
And having boldly gain'd the day, 
'Tis shoulder arms? and we march away! 
Then soldier like, each jovial soul, 
Crowds daily round the flowing bowl, 
And toasts with voice and heart with three, 
Britannia, Queen, and liberty! 
I'm a, &c. 
Pitts, Printer, Wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 
6, Great St. Andrews St., Seven Dials. 
Princeton/Rare Book Division, Ex3598.847 
869 
110. THE FEMALE CAPTAIN 
The. Female Captain 
Sung by Mrs. Wrighten. 
Sound the fife, beat the drum, to my standard repair, 
All ye lads who will conquer or die; 
At request of my sex, as a captain I come, 
The mens courage and valour· to try; 
'Tis your king and your country now calls for your aid; 
'Tis the ladies command you to go 
By me they announce it, and he who's afraid, 
Or refuses, our vengeance shall know. 
She declares that to "the single" the women will grant not 
"a kiss, an ogle, a sigh, or a squeeze." To "the married" 
a similar threat is proffered if the men will not serve. 
As "our dernier resort," she says, should the men refuse to 
fight, the women will "the breeches assume." They will 
"march, beat the French, then march back" and beat the men. 
I. SOURCES 
British Museum, 
G311(105), Selected Tracts 
Roundelay or the New syren, 14 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Union Catalogue of Early Music, II, 966 
III. COMMENTS 
According to one copy (British Union Catalogue, II, 
966) the piece was "sung by Mrs. Wrighten. The words 
by Mr. Wrighten." James Wrighten was the prompter 
to the Theatres Royal Drury Lane and the Haymarket. 
(See Thespian Dictionary, "Wrighten".) His wife, 
Mary Ann Matthews Wrighten Pownall, left him and 
went to America in 1792. (See Who Was Who in America, 
493.) The Female Captain must havel)een written and 
perform~before that date. 
870 
THE FEMALE CAPTAIN 
The Female Captain. 
Sung by Mrs. Wrighten. 
Sound the fife, beat the drum, to my standard repair, 
All ye lads who will conquer or die; 
At request of my sex, as a captain I come, 
The mens courage and valour to try; 
'Tis your king and your country now calls for your aid; 
'Tis the ladies command you to go; 
By me they announce it, and he who's afraid, 
Or refuses, our vengeance shall know. 
Then first to the single these things I declare, 
So each maiden most firmly decrees; 
Not a kiss will be granted, by black, brown, or fair, 
Not an ogle, a sigh, or a squeeze. 
To the married, if they but look glum, or say no, 
Should the Monsieurs dare bluster or huff; 
We've determin'd nem. con. that their foreheads shall show; 
A word to the wise is enough. 
These punishments we've in terrorem proclaim'd; 
But still, shou'd your valour but lack, 
As our dernier resort, this resolve shall be nam'd, 
Which egad will soon make you all pack. 
We'll the breeches assume, 'pon my honour 'tis true, 
So determine maids, widows, and wives, 
First we'll march, beat the French, then march back and beat you, 
Aye, and wear 'em the rest of our lives. 
Roundelay or the New Syren, a Collection of Choice Songs. London: 
W. Lane, n.d.), p. 14. 
871 
111. THE FEMALE PRESSGANG 
The Female Press~ang; The Maidens Frolic) 
The Female Press Gang. 
Or, A True and Particular Account of 
Seven Young Women that Prest Fourteen 
Taylors in One Night in London. 
It was in London town as we do understand, 
Seven lasses they took a brisk frolic in hand, 
And as I protest they were in sailor's dress, 
Not far from Cheapside they resolved to press 
Fourteen Taylors. 
With "Nancy" as "the guide" these women force the "Taylors" 
they meet, one by one, through various tricks and "thump-
ings" into "King George's" (or "William's") service. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
25242.25, 33r 
J. Pitts, Printer and Wholesale Toy 
Warehouse, 6 Great st Andrew Street, 
7 Dials. (1819-44) 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division, 
KVB, II, 15 r 
J. Pitts, Printer and Wholesale Toy Ware 
house, 6 Great st. Andrew street. 7 Dials. 
(1819-44) 
Uncat. BSS, II 
J. Pitts, Printer and Wholesale Toy Ware 
house, 6 Great st. Andrew street. 7 Dials. 
(1819-44) 
New York Public Library/Arents Collection, 
J. Pitts, Printer and Wholesale Toy Ware 
house, 6 Great st, Andrew sreet, 7 Dials. 
(1819-44) 
Library of Congress/Rare Book Division, 
BS Ballads, 1790-1830, 99 
J. Pitts, Printer and Wholesale Toy Ware 
house, 6 Great st, Andrew sreet, 7 Dials. 
(1819-44) 
Princeton/Rare Book Divi~ion, 
Ex 3598.321, 10 
872 
J. Pitts, Printer and Wholesale Toy Ware 
house, 6 Great. st, Andrew sreet, 7 Dials. 
(1819-44) 
Holloway an~~lack, 95 
Roxburghe B~ll~ds, III, 401 
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. 
J. Back. 
II. CATALOGUES 
British Museum, Vol. 150, p. 575 
Simpson, 794 
Wing, M269 
873 
Deacon, J. 
(1682-96) 
Blare, 
. ,. THE FEMALE PRESSGANG • 
The Maidens Frollick: 
OR, A BRIEF RELATION HOW SIX LUSTY LASSES 
HAS PREST FULL FOURTEEN TAYLORS ON THE 
BACKSIDE OF ST. CLEMENTS, AND THE OTHER 
ADJACENT PLACES. 
To the tune of An Orange. Licensed according to Order. 
Of late near the Strand, we.well understand, 
Six lasses that took a brisk frollick in hand; 
'Twas thus I profess, they in seaman's dress, 
Not far from the May-pole resolved to press 
Fourteen Taylors. 
Young Nancy she ty'd a sword by her side, 
And she was resolved for to be their guide: 
This young female crew, Kat¢, Bridget, and Prue, 
And she that went formost was Lieutenant Sue, 
Pressing Taylors. 
These maids by consent, their minds fully bent, 
First thro' the back side of St. Clements they went, 
Where just in the street they a Taylor did meet, 
They prest him, and streight he fell down at their feet, 
I'm a Taylor. 
I tell, said he, I ne'er was at sea, 
And therefore, kind gentlemen, pray set me free, 
And pity these tears, I have liv'd forty years, 
And never us'd weapon, but bodkin and shears, 
I'm a Taylor. 
But Susan and they strait haul'd him away, 
While Tom the poor Taylor did sigh, beg, and pray, 
Yet all was in vain, for they did him retain, 
And told him that now he must fight on the main, 
Tho' a Taylor. 
Then to White-hart-yard they went with regard, 
And there a poor Taylor was labouring hard 
Upon his shop-board, Nandrew out her sword, 
Saying, he must King William his service afford, 
Tho' a Taylor. 
874 
The Taylor did quake, nay, quiver and shake, 
At length with a pitiful voice he did spake, 
While tears down did run, he cry'd, I'm undone, 
I never did know the right end of a gun, 
I'm a Taylor. 
Then stout Boston Bess said, Nevertheless, 
You must go with us, we've a warrant to press; 
Then wave this excuse, and lay by your goose, 
Such nimble young fellows may be of great use, 
Tho' a Taylor. 
And then, by report, they went to Round Court, 
Where seven young Taylors were making of sp[ort,] 
Their hearts void of care, tho' when they come the[re] 
These maids did catch napping, as Moss catch'd [his] ma[re]. 
Seven Taylors. 
They thought to resist, but Joan with her fist, 
She thumpt them about till the Taylors they Pi[st] 
And then in a rage, the rest did engage 
And brought them away to the Round-house or Ca[geJ 
These poor Taylors. 
With all might and main, down to Dutchy-lane, 
These petticoat press-masters hurried again, 
To press some they knew, 'twas Morgan and Hu[gh], 
A couple belong'd to the cross-legged crew, 
And Welsh Taylors. 
Then Morgan hur railes, crys, Splutter-a-nails, 
Hur newly come up to fair London from Wales, 
Then pray cease your strife, hur has a young wife 
Besides hur was never yet kill'd in hur life, 
A Welsh Taylor. 
But yet, right or wrong, they brought 'em along, 
And happen'd to meet with three more in the thro[ng] 
Then said lusty Jane, You must serve King and Que[en] 
And thus these stout females did press full fourte[en] 
And all Taylors. 
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back. 
Roxburghe Ballads, Vol. III, p. 401. 
875 
112. THE SOLDIER'S BRIDE 
The Soldier's Bride 
Young Delia once, a soldier's bride, 
Assumed the soldier's garb; 
But yet not hers the warrior's stride, 
Not hers the snaffled barb; 
A cap and feather graced her brow, 
Her form the Highland plaid; 
In vain--her voice, so faint and low, 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
She goes to "the distant camp" seeking to be Henry's page, 
and "his country's foes t'engage." Finding him, she 
guards his tent. The trumpet sounds, and "the hostile 
legions shout." She becomes afraid--"where now her look, 
of nought afraid?" The battle rages, and she watches. She 
finally sees that her Henry survives. 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Universal Songster, II, 444 
876 
THE SOLDIER'S BRIDE 
The Soldier's Bride. 
Young Delia once, a soldier's bride, 
Assumed the soldier's garb; 
But yet not her's the warrior's stride, 
Nor hers the snaffled barb; 
A cap and feather graced her brow, 
Her form the Highland plaid; 
In vain--her voice, so faint and low, 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
The distant camp her Henry sought, 
His country's foes t'engage,--
Why cannot I, delightful though! 
She cried, be Henry's page? 
Love urged the fond deceit, and Love 
First, too, belied the maid,--
The dimpled smile, the chamois glove, 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
Now, bolder grown, she moved along, 
All fled Love's sighs and tears; 
Unscared, beheld the marial throng, 
Nor dreamed of future fears; 
Yet oft, to arms and camps unused, 
She sought the woodland glade, 
Whilst o'er her cheek the blush suffused, 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
And now, as page, her Henry's tent 
And arms 'twas hers to guard, 
As he, with toil and danger spent, 
For soft repose prepared: 
With firm and measured step she pace, 
Nor asked Minerva's aid; 
But still the foot and taper waist 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
But, hark! the trumpet sounds from far, 
The hostile legions shout--
Forth from its sheath, to meet the war, 
The glittering sword leaps out; 
Where now her warrior step, where now 
Her look, of nought afraid? 
Her pallid cheek and hectic brow 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
877 
• 
• 
The legions join, the battle burns, 
Now these, now those prevail, 
And many a shriek and shout, by turns, 
Swell on the vesper gale; 
But who is he that stands alone? 
I ken his Highland blade; 
He lives! she cried, and Love's fond tone 
The trembling fair betrayed. 
Universal Songster; or Museum of Mirth (London: George 
Routledge and Sons), Vol. II, p. 444 • 
878 
113. THE .CHESTER GARLAND 
The Chester Garland 
A Merchant of London, as many report, 
He for a long time a young lady did court, 
At length by long cou~tship this handsome lady 
Did promise this merchant his bride to be. 
They marry, and the merchant sails for India before they 
have lain together. The lady stays home. Coming from 
Russia the ship encounters a storm and, altering course, 
lands at Chester. In a tavern the merchant lays a wager 
with a shopkeeper on his wife's chastity. The shopkeeper 
goes to London and contrives to be delivered inside a 
chest to the wife's room. While she is asleep, he takes 
her girdle and watch. Returning to Chester, he shows the 
articles to the merchant to win the bet. The merchant 
plots to murder his wife, sending John, a servant, to per-
form the deed. John spares the woman, killing a hog in the 
forest instead. He brings the hog's heart and the clothes 
of the wife to the merchant. The woman dresses "in man's 
apparel" and becomes a servant to a gentleman. She gets 
"a commission for a captain's place" and goes to Flanders 
where she fights "with great courage." She "and her men" 
return for the winter to West Chester where she, "dress'd 
as a commander," encounters the merchant who tells her 
that his wife is dead. Going to a justice of the peace, 
she reveals "the whole matter," and the husband and servant 
are sent for. John recounts his killing of the hog, and 
the woman reveals herself in the court. The shopkeeper 
who had made the wager is ordered "to stand in the pillory" 
and pay 40,000 pounds to the merchant. He is then sent 
to prison where he kills himself. The merchant and lady 
"dwell together in love," and she loves the young servant 
"as a child of her own." 
I. SOURCES 
A. Printed Versions 
Harvard, 
pEB75P4128C, no. 58 
25242.61F, 21r 
Huntington Library, 
287426 
Printed and Sold by S. Harward. (1760-75) 
UCLA/Special Collections, 
*PR1181C92, A Curious Coll. 
Printed and Sold in Bow Church-Yard, 
879 
London. 
University of Kentucky, 
BS Ballads, VI, 67 . 
(1736-63) 
Printed and sold by J. Pitts, 14 Great 
St, Andrew street, 7 Dials. (1797-1819) 
BS Ballads, VI, 161 
Sold by G. Gamidge in Worcester.(1758-68) 
Yale, 
Ib58Tdl 
Ib58Tdl 
Ib58Tdl 
Ib58Tdl 
Printed and Sold in Bow-Church-Yard, 
London. (1736-63) 
II. CATALOGUES 
"Catalogue of Maps, &c •.. Printed and Sold by William 
and Cluer Dicey .•. 1754," Bodleian MS 258.c.109, 
reproduced in Thomson/'Develdpment'~ 290 
"The Stock Ballads of Samuel Harward, printer at 
Tewkesbury between 1760 and 1775," Gloucestershire 
Notes and Queries, III, 227 
British Museum, Vol. 37, p. 1232 
Shipton and Mooney, I, 146 
III. COMMENTS 
A striking parallel to this story can be found in 
the ninth novel of the second day in Boccaccio's 
Decameron. 
880 
THE CHESTER GARLAND 
The Chester Garland. 
In Four Parts. 
PART I. 
A Merchant of London, as many report, 
He for a long time a young lady did court, 
At length by long courtship this handsome lay 
Did promise this merchant his bride to be. 
Of one thing this lady she was ignorant, 
To go his own factor the merchant was bent. 
The ship was freighted, all thing ready were 
In order to sail, but the wind was not fair. 
So he to make sure of this lady bright, 
Was marry'd one morning before it was light. 
And marry'd they were, but the same day 
Tidings came to him the ship must away. 
He said, My dear jewel, the thing it is so; 
That I my own factor to India must go. 
It will not be long ere I shall return 
To you home in safety; so, dear, do not mourn. 
So then he embraced, and away did hie. 
To be left alone the lady did cry, 
As he is gone from me I'll do what I can, 
To keep myself free from the scandal of man. 
Then this noble lady, with troubled mind, 
She unto her chanber herself close confin'd; 
Wherein we must leave her to sigh and complain, 
And turn to the merchant, who's gone o'er the main. 
He sail'd into Russia, where, as we find, 
His ship was laden with traffick so fine, 
Then to come to London his course he did steer, 
And what happen'd to him you quickly shall hear. 
Upon the wide ocean a storm did arise, 
In which gloomy clouds did darken the skies. 
The wind did blow, and the storms did roar, 
Which drove them almost to the Irish shore. 
For several hours by the waves they were tost, 
Expecting each moment their lives would be lost. 
In the midst of their danger one did contrive 
To alter their course, and at Chester arrive. 
The thing was soon noised abroad in the town, 
And many shopkeepers to this ship came down. 
881 
• 
One bought the whole cargo; the money, 'tis said, 
To this London merchant in a few days was paid. 
One day at a tavern these dealers, we find, 
Stay'd several hours with drinking of wine. 
At length the shopkeeper said, Shall we go 
And get us a miss?--The merchant said, No. 
Sir, with such a lady I fairly did wed, 
And never had time to enjoy her bed. 
A woman whose body no man ever knew. 
Then to such a wife I will be chaste and true. 
The shopkeeper said, Your conceit is strong 
To think any woman can tarry so long, 
To wait for a husband. I'll lay what you dare 
That I can defile your chaste lady fair. 
To which the merchant said, Sure I am free 
To lay ship and money on her chastity. 
Then before witness the thing was agreed, 
And the shopkeeper came up to London with speed. 
PART II. 
He went to a tavern, and there did presume 
To call for a bottle of wine, and a room. 
'Twas a widow-woman who lived then there, 
For the sake of some money the wife did ensnare. 
He ask'd, If she knew such a one? the reply, 
Was, Yes, sir, and she lived hard by. 
He said, Fifty guineas I'll give you straitway, 
If into her chamber you will me convey. 
Her answer was to him, As I am alive, 
A way to get you there I soon will contrive. 
She went to this lady, and said, It is so, 
To my dying father this night I must go • 
My jewels and plate and other things brave, 
Lie lock'd in a chest, which by me I have, 
This night in your chamber pray let them lie here, 
Tomorrow I'll fetch them, you need not fear. 
This lady not knowing her wicked design, 
Gave leave to bring them at night, as we find, 
This vile subtle bawd, to compleat the jest, 
Had him convey'd then lock'd in the chest. 
This lady she used to keep a great light, 
To burn in her chamber always in the night. 
And as this lady was in a deep sleep 
The shopkeeper out of the chest did creep. 
When he came to the bed, like one in amaze, 
He on this lady did stand and gaze. 
And on her right breast he spied a mole, 
Which for some time he did stand to behold. 
882 
" 
Likewise on the table he chanced to spy 
A girdle and watch her name was plac'd. 
Which things in his pocket he put up in haste, 
Saying, These tokens my wager will gain, 
And now to disturb her I will refrain. 
Then into the chest he went, and there lay 
Until the next morning he was fetch'd away. 
So then for West-Chester he did repair, 
And with a good horse he soon came there; 
Crying to the merchant, the wage I've won, 
And, if I mistake not, thou art undone. 
Upon her right breast there is a mole grows, 
Which you to long courting have seen I suppose, 
Sir, there is a girdle and a watch likewise, 
Therefore you may see I tell you no lies. 
To see this, the merchant wept bitterly, 
And said, Wicked strumpet, thou hast ruin'd me; 
For to be undone thus makes my heart ake, 
Now for a subsistance what course can I take. 
To hear this moan some merchants being there, 
Said to him, Brother, do not yet despair. 
Since you are ruin'd by a vile woman, 
We'll make a man of you once more, if we can. 
So among them they raised two hundred pound, 
And set him up shopkeeper in Chester-town. 
But Satan was busy, and to stir up strife, 
He tempted the merchant to murder his wife. 
PART III. 
He then kept a servant whose name was John, 
He then sent a letter to her by his man. 
These words were in it: At Chester I be. 
With all expedition, dear wife, come to me. 
Perusing the letter, she said with a smile, 
My dear, I'll be with you in a short while. 
Next day with this young man away she went, 
Of these ill designs she was innocent, 
Riding thro' a wood to make her his prey, 
He with a penknife did turn and say, 
Come, lady, alight from your horse presently, 
For it is ordered here you must die. 
To hear these expressions she cry'd out amain, 
Young man, wherefore is it I must be slain? 
His answer was, For playing the whore; 
The man that defiled you I knew before. 
She said, If I must die I'll take it on my death, 
No man ever knew me since I drew breath. 
883 
• He said, These excuses never will do, My master sent me to murder you. 
He charg'd me to bring your cloaths and heart. 
Then I'll not prove false to him for my part. 
Thus as she stood trembling, and for life did cry, 
By providence a hog did chance to come by. 
She said, Save my life, and kill that swine, 
And take the heart, he'll think it is mine. 
Likewise take these my cloaths also, 
And give me yours, then a-wandering I'll go. 
For to save her life then he thought good, 
And the thing desired was done in the wood. 
He went home and said, Sir, to finish the strife, 
Here are the cloaths and heart of your wife. 
To see this the merchant did blush, 
And into the fire the heart did push. 
Crying, There is the heart of a strumpet again, 
Who has been my ruin, and fed me with pain. 
Thus he in vile manner did burn this heart, 
By which we may see revenge is sweet. 
But now I will leave him mistaken, and hear, 
What course of life this lady did steer. 
PART IV. 
Dress'd in man's apparel she wander'd away. 
But as she was going thro' a town one day, 
She went to a gentleman's door, it is said, 
And heartily begg'd for a morsel of bread. 
This man came forth, and look'd in her face, 
And said, Young man, it is a disgrace 
For to go a-begging. Art willing, said he, 
To serve such a master as now I may be? 
Her answer was, Yes, and thank you beside. 
Come in and sit down, the master reply'd; 
And soon I will put better cloaths on thy back, 
Be but a good servant thou nothing shalt lack. 
This man so lov'd her, that in a short space 
He got her a commission for a captain's place. 
Then she with great courage to Flanders went o'er. 
And was in the battle where cannons did roar. 
Summer being ended, both she and her men 
All that were alive, came to England again. 
For winter quarters it was order'd so. 
That she and her men to West Chester should go. 
Where walking the streets one night, this lady 
Look'd into a shop, and her husband did see. 
For to think of his actions that were so base, 
Her heart was disturb'd and mov'd from its place. 
884 
Dress'd as a commander, she to him did go, 
And said unto him, Sir, do you know 
Such a man in this town! tell me, if you can. 
His answer was, Sir, I am the man. 
Sir, did you not marry with such a lady, 
A noble knight's daughter? pray where is she? 
Yes, I marry'd her, the merchant reply'd, 
About three years ago she sicken'd and dy'd. 
Then unto a justice of peace she retir'd. 
And told the whole matter, which thing he admir'd. 
He sent for her husband and young man in haste, 
With the villain that was shut in the chest. 
But first he examin'd the lady's husband, 
But he with blushes appear'd very wan. 
And thinking his lady she had been dead, 
With fear his teeth gnashed in his head. 
The justice said, Young man, for thee, 
Didst thou kill this man's wife? tell unto me. 
He said, Sir, I was sent the lady to kill. 
Unto her, thro' mercy, I shewed no ill. 
My master charged me to bring her heart, 
But he was mistaken that time, for his part. 
For 'twas a hog's heart I brought him to show. 
And I hope she is living, but where I don't know. 
Dress'd in man's apparel she said to him, John, 
I am the young lady, tho' dress'd like a man. 
To hear this the merchant began to sweat, 
And look'd like a woodcock caught in a net. 
And then the shopkeeper was call'd in place, 
Who on this lady had brought sorrow apace. 
He being examined was found guilty. 
And order'd to stand in the pillory. 
Nay, this was not all, he was order'd to pay 
Forty thousand pounds to the merchant next day. 
Which sum was produc'd with great discontent, 
And strait to a prison he quickly was sent, 
Saying, I am ruin'd by playing the cheat, 
And shall be exposed to shame in the street, 
To prevent all scandal, he took a penknife, 
And stabbed himself, which ended his life. 
And now this merchant and lady do dwell 
Together in love, and agree very well. 
And as for the young man who pity'd her moan, 
This lady loves him as a child of her own. 
Printed and Sold in Bow-Church-Yard, London. 
UCLA/SC, A Curious Coll. of Old Songs and Ballads. 
885 
-.. 
APPENDIX II 
Ballads Which Resemble 
The Female Warrior Ballads 
886 
Introduction 
Appendix.!._! contains ballads which in some ways re-
semble the female warrior ballads in Appendix I. In 
Appendix.!._! I have included texts which depict a woman 
in male disguise in other than a military setting, texts 
which depict a woman in a military setting but do not 
portray her in disguise, and texts which structurally 
resemble the female warrior ballads. The arrangement 
of these ballads follows that of the main collection. 
The texts include: (1) ballads depicting discourse, 
(2) ballads depicting discourse and action, and (3) 
ballads depicting only action. The discourse ballads 
are dialogue-debates or statements of intention. The 
narrative ballads which depict a woman in male disguise 
in other than a military context include: (A) ballads 
involving parental interference in a courtship, (B) 
ballads in which a woman disguises herself to follow, 
to test, or to save a lover, and (C) miscellaneous 
ballads involving women disguised as men. The narratives 
also include texts which depict women in a military 
context but portray them undisguised. Because these 
pieces resemble the female warrior ballads, I have 
included them as a textual context for the ballads in 
my collection. 
887 
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF BALLAD TITLES 
The Bailiff's Daughter~ Islington (17.) 
The Boys.£!_ Wexford (36.) 
Cheat upon Cheat (33.) 
Child Waters (24.) 
The Cruel Father, £.E_ The Affectionate Lover (21.) 
The Cruel Mother (35.) 
The Doating Mother's Garland (20.) 
The Fate of Faithful Nancy (38.) 
The Famous Flower of Serving-Men (31.) 
The Female Duel (32.) 
The Female Highway Hector (34.) 
The Female Highwayman (30.) 
The Female Volunteer for Texas (15.) 
The Golden Glove (29.) 
The Heroine of the Revolution (37.) 
The Honest Maidens Loyalty (20.) 
I'm Going~ Join the Army (4.) 
Johnny and Molly (3.) 
The Jolly Roving Tar (14.) 
The Kind-Hearted Maidens Resolution (6.) 
Molly and Johnny (2.) 
The North-Countrey Maids Resolution (12.) 
Northern Knight's Garland (27.) 
888 
The Pretty Green Coat Boys Garland (18.) 
The Princely Lovers Garland (19.) 
Robin Hood and Maid Marian (26.) 
Say, Bonny Lass (8.) 
The Saylors Departure (9.) 
The Smuggler's Bride (39.) 
The Suffolk Comedy (25.) 
Tarry Trowsers (7.) 
The True-Lovers Holidaies (11.) 
The True Mayde E!. the South (23.) 
The Two Faithful Lovers (16.) 
The Two Kinde Lovers (13.) 
The Unkind Parents (1.) 
The Virtuous Wife of Bristol (28.) 
The Wexford Lovers (22.) 
Young Irish Soldier (5.) 
889 
I. DISCOURSE BALLADS 
A. Dialogue-Debates (No. 1-8) 
890 
1. THE UNKIND PARENTS 
The Unkind Parents: Or, 
The Languishing Lamentation of Two Loyal Lovers 
To an Excellent New Tune. 
Now fare thou well my Dearest Dear, 
and fare thou well a while, 
Altho' I go, I'll come again; 
if I go ten thousand mile, Dear Love, 
If I go ten thousand mile. 
Ten thousand miles is far, dear Love, 
for you to come to me, 
Yet I could go full ten times more, 
to have thy company, dear Love, 
to have thy, &c. 
Thou art my Joy and chief delight, 
Love, leave me not behind, 
If from my presence you take flight, 
then are you most unkind, dear Love, 
then are you &c. 
I cannot be unkind, my Dear, 
my heart is link'd to thee; 
But while on Shore I tarry here, 
thy Friends does frown on me, dear Love, 
thy Friends &c. 
For they in Riches for abound, 
that I am held in scorn; 
This gives my heart a fatal wound, 
which makes my life forlorn, dear Love, 
which makes &c. 
0 cruel Parents, most unkind, 
the cause of all my woe; 
This parting to my grief I find, 
will prove my overthrow, dear Love, 
will prove &c. 
If thou dost cross the roaring seas, 
into a Forreign Land, 
My heart will never be at ease, 
destruction is at hand, dear Love, 
destruction &c. 
891 
0 say not so, let patience guide 
thy heart, and don't complain; 
For tho' I cross the Ocean wide, 
I may return again, dear Love, 
I may &c. 
Thy Parents that are so unkind, 
who does our peace annoy, 
May then be of another mind, 
and Crown our days with joy, dear Love, 
and Crown &c. 
Maid.) If thou shoulst languish in distress 
in Forreign parts alone; 
Thy grief in Tears thou might'st express, 
and I not hear they moan, dear Love, 
and I &c. 
If solemnly you do ingage 
to range perpetually, 
I will in habit of a Page, 
go through the world with thee, dear Love, 
go through &c. 
Ah! say not so my Charming Fair; 
for why sweet Saint behold, 
Thy tender nature cannot bear 
the melting heat and cold, dear Love, 
the melting &c. 
Altho' I may in Deserts range, 
my heart is linked fast; 
Therefore my mind shall never change, 
so long as life does last, dear Love, 
so long &c. 
Mountains and Rocks on wings shall fly, 
and roaring Billows burn. 
Ere I will act Disloyalty; 
then wait for my return, dear Love, 
then wait &c. 
Love, might I have a Lord or Earl, 
the chief Nobility, 
Who would deck me with Orient Pear. 
I'd slight them all for thee, dear Love, 
I'd slight, &c. 
892 
And even as the Turtle Dove 
sits Cooing on a Tree, 
For the return of his true Love, 
So will I wait for thee, dear Love, 
So will I wait for thee. 
Printed for C. Bates, next the Crown Tavern in West-Smithfield. 
Harvard - photostat "322" from Uncat. box of "Misc. BSS" (on bottom 
shelf) 
893 
2 • MOLLY AND JOHNNY 
The Ranelaugh Concert, Being a Choice Collection of 
the Newest Songs Sung at All the Public Places of 
Entertainment. 
Sold at No. 42, Long-Lane 
Molly and Johnny. 
Hark! hark! the wars call me away 
My dearest dear I cannot stay, 
For I am going to fight proud Spain, 
Altho' I leave you altho' I leave you, 
Altho' I leave you, love don't complain. 
0 dearest Johnny say not so, 
I ne'er can yield to let you go, 
For if in the wars you should be slain, 
I shall never, no, no, no, never, 
Never shall see my dear Jewel again. 
Take me on board, my dear, said she, 
And well contented I will be, 
No storms nor dangers will I fear, 
I will venture, boldly venture, 
In strong battles with you, my dear. 
Amorous Molly, charmer fair, 
To hear you talk I can't forbear, 
Women in wars will frighted be, 
I am in hopes love, I am in hopes love, 
For to return in all joy to thee. 
When the war is over, and all's at peace 
I hope our joys they will encrease, 
Then I will return to my turtle dove, 
And in sweet pleasure out of measure, 
Telling sweet prattling tales of love. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol. VII, Ch. 22 
894 
3 • JOHNNY AND MOLLY 
Johnny And Molly; 
Or The Parting Lovers. 
Hark! hark the War calls me away, 
My dearest love I cannot stay, 
For I must go across the Main, 
Altho' I leave thee, Altho' I leave thee, 
Altho' I leave thee Love don't complain. 
Alas my lovely Fair will say 
My heart forebodes the bloody fray; 
But do not fear, safe o'er the Main, 
That to my Love, that to my Love, 
That to my Love I shall come again. 
Gentle Johnny said the Fair, 
Let I in all your dangers share; 
No arms, or Battles will affright, 
While I behold, while I behold, 
While I behold my Souls delight. 
Ah! cease my Fair to rend my heart, 
'Tis Fate ordains, and we must part; 
Thy softer Sex was never made, 
To meet in War, to meet in War, 
To meet in War the dreadful Blade. 
But soon as Conquest spreads her Wings, 
And home the peaceful Olive brings; 
Then I'll return to meet my Love, 
Joy and Pleasure, Honour, Treasure, 
Every moment shall improve. 
Coll. of English Ballads from the Beginning of the Present 
Century when they were first engraved and published singly 
with music, Vol. III, MDCCXC (BMus. G308 (93) 
895 
4. I'M GOING TO JOIN THE ARMY 
I'm Going to Join the Army 
So fare you well, my darling, 
So fare you well, my dear; 
I'm going to join the army, 
I'm going to volunteer. 
It's been my sad misfortune 
A soldier for to be; 
0 be contented, darling, 
And don't you weep for me. 
I'm going to Pensacola 
To tarry for awhile; 
So far from you, my darling, 
About five thousand mile. 
She wrung her lily-white hands, 
So mournfully she cried: 
You're going to join the army, 
And in that war you'll die. 
Your waist it is too slender, 
Your fingers long and small, 
Your cheeks too red and rosy 
To face a cannon ball. 
I know my waist is slender, 
My fingers long and small; 
But it would not make me shudder 
To see ten thousand fall. 
I hear the cannons roaring, 
The balls are flying high; 
The drums and fifes are sounding 
To drown the dreadful cry. 
In the center you'll be wounded, 
In the center you'll be slain; 
It'll break my heart asunder 
If I never see you again. 
The ships all stand at anchor, 
The boys all dressed in blue, 
You're going away to join them, 
And love, what shall I do? 
896 
Combs, 207 
I'll sail around the enemy 
My fortune for to try; 
I'll think of you, my darling, 
And oft sit down and cry. 
If you'll portray a single life 
Throughout the great campaign, 
I'll marry you, my darling, 
When I return again. 
Then fare you well, my darling, 
Then fare you well, my dear; 
I'm coming back to see you, 
If't takes ten thousand year. 
897 
5. YOUNG IRISH SOLDIER 
Young Irish Soldier 
As I roved out one evening in the spring time of the year, 
By the shady groves of sweet Clontarf my course I chanced to 
steer, 
Where I espied a young soldier with a charming fair maid, 
And gazing on each other sequestered in a shade. 
I was struck with amazement when I saw a comely fair, 
Her jet-black locks were hanging upon her shoulders bear, 
Her fair form so majestic it caused me to delay 
And I stood awhile in ambush to hear what they would say. 
At length he broke the silence and this to her he said: 
Cheer up my dearest Sally and don't be now dismay'd, 
Right well you know that I must go as here I cannot stay, 
For I hear the bugle sounding and that call I must obey. 
She says my dearest Johnny how can you prove unkind, 
To go off to the battle field and leave me here behind, 
For the Russians they are powerful by land and on the main, 
So do not leave, for I'm your slave, my Love, for to be slain. 
You know my dearest Sally the young soldier he did say, 
Our Regiment they have got the rout and shortly must away, 
With thousands more young Irish boys that joined as well as me, 
Who now must fly, conquer, or die, before the enemy. 
But since you cannot stay at home this fair one did reply, 
Along with you I'll venture let me either live or die, 
And if you from the Russians, should by chance receive a ball, 
For to bandage up your bleeding wounds my love I'm at your call. 
He said my dearest Sally you cannot come with me, 
For hardships in a Foreign Land with your health would not agree, 
But I hope I will return home with lots of Gold in store, 
And God will help our union when this war it is all o'er. 
She says my dearest Johnny when once you part from me, 
I can't tell then but the Russians may gain the Victory, 
then won't know but by the foe, my love you might be slain, 
And left stretched amongst the heaps of dead amongst the 
battle plain. 
He said my dearest Sally cheer up and banish woe, 
For Irishmen were always brave wherever they did go, 
At trafalgar, Copenhegan, the Nile, and Waterloo, 
And on the plains of India they have shewed what they could do? 
898 
As this couple they were parting down her cheeks the tears did 
flow, 
And then embraced each other with hearts oppressed with woe, 
She says may fortune favour you and Victory crown your joy. 
National Library of Ireland BSS (UCLA Folklore Archive) 
899 
6. THE KIND-HEARTED MAIDENS RESOLUTION 
The Kind-hearted Maidens Resolution. 
Wherein she doth shew her real Affection and true Love 
unto her dearest Friend. 
Her Father and Mother they still do say no; 
Yet she is resolv'd with her Love for to go. 
Tune is, Jenny, Jenny. 
Now farewel dear Father, and Mother also, 
Pray give me your blessing before I do go; 
Whether I travel on Sea or on Shore, 
For I will go with my Love all the World o'r. 
But I hope my dear Daughter you'll not be such a one, 
As to go and forsake us and leave us alone, 
Now we have brought you up, and by you set great store, 
Now you will go, &c. 
But let Reason rule you at home for to stay, 
And go not such a journey, least you lose your way; 
Thou'st have all when we dye, what would'st thou have more 
If thou'lt not go, &c. 
I value not your Riches, nor your brave attire; 
So I have but the Man whom my heart doth desire, 
There is no Locks nor Bolts shall keep me in a door: 
But I will go with my Love all the World o'r. 
The Second Part, To the same Tune. 
For his sight and his presence is dearer to me, 
Then all the rich Treasures i'th world I can see: 
In my arms i'll imbrace him my joys to restore 
And I will go with my love all the world o'r. 
For what joy or what comfort has any young Girl, 
Though she wears rich jewels of Gold or of Pearl, 
If her Sweet-heart be wanting her heart will be sore. 
So I will go &c. 
Do not Ladies of honor a Man much regard: 
And shall I for his kindness with disdain him reward, 
No, first i'll be hang'd upon the next door. 
For I will go &c. 
Oh! did not fair Phillis that Lady so bright, 
Unknown at her Gate feed her Husband and Knight, 
And at his death she grieved full sore: 
So I will go, &c. 
Then why may not I be as true to my friend, 
As ever was Phillis unto my lives end: 
There's no inchanting tongue, shall win me on no score. 
But I will go, &c. 
900 
He may be in danger, or sick he may be, 
And for want of my company there he may dye 
But i'll be his Surgeon for to cure his sore: 
And I, &c. 
All that I can do for him the truth for to tell, 
Nothing shall be wanting my Love to maintain, 
I'll run through Fire and Water and through the deep shore; 
But I, &c. 
His behaviour and favour he's so civil in's Ways, 
That whoever sees him they give him the praise; 
Which makes me so much his Fame to implore: 
And for to go, &c. 
He's no Ranter nor Swearer, nor Drunkard, 
Yet he'l laugh and be merry, and modest withal!; 
He's courteous and humble to Rich and to Poor: 
Which makes me go, &c. 
And thus I have told to young Maids in some part, 
The conditions of him whom I love as my heart: 
But pray don't long for him, nor yet cry nor Rore, 
But I will go with my Love all the World o'r. 
London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Veres, J. Wright, and J. Clarke. 
Harvard, 25254.24.25, Photostat 20. 
901 
7. TARRY TROWSERS 
Tarry Trowsers 
As I was a walking one May summer's morning 
The weather being fine and clear; 
There I heard a tender mother, 
Talking to her daughter dear. 
Says she daughter I would have you marry, 
And live no longer a single life; 
No said she, I'd sooner tarry, 
For my jolly sailor bright. 
Daughter sailors are given to roving, 
And to foreign parts they go; 
Then they leave you broken hearted, 
And they prove your overthrow. 
0 sailors they are men of honour, 
And do face their enemy, 
When the thundering cannon's rattle, 
And the bullets they do fly. 
I know you would have me wed a farmer. 
And not give me my heart's delight; 
Give me the lad whose tarry trowsers, 
Shines to me like diamonds bright 
Polly my dear our anchor's weighing, 
And I'm come to take my leave, 
Tho' I leave you my dear jewel, 
Charming Polly do not grieve, 
Jennny my dear let me go with you, 
No foreign dangers will I fear; 
When you are in the height of battle, 
I will attend on you my dear. 
Hark! how the great guns rattle, 
And small guns do make a noise: 
When they were in the height of battle, 
She cries fight on my jolly tars. 
902 
Now all young maidens pray take warning, 
Who a jolly sailor is your delight; 
Never be forced to wed with another, 
For all their gold and silver bright. 
Pitts, Printer, wholesale Toy and Marble warehouse St. Andrew 
Street, Seven Dials. 
New York Public Library/Rare Book Division - Uncat. BSS, Box IV 
903 
8. SAY, BONNY LASS 
O, Bonny Lass 
0 Bonny lass will you lie in a barrack? 
0 Bonny lass, &c. 
And marry a soldier, and carry his wallet? 
0 yes I will do it, and think no more of it 
I'll marry my soldier, and carry his wallet, 
I'll neither spercleave of my mammy or daddy, 
But mount and away with my soldier laddie. 
0 bonny lass will you go a campaigning, 
Endure all the hardships of battle and famine, 
When bleeding and fainting, 0 could you draw near me, 
And kindly support me, and tenderly cheer me? 
0 yes I will go thro those hardships you mention, 
And twenty times more if you have the invention, 
Neither danger nor death, nor battles alarm me, 
My soldier is near me, and nothing can harm me. 
0 bonny lass in the heat of the battle, 
When men lay a bleeding and cannons do rattle, 
While your soldier with enemies fierce is assailed, 
Your heart that's most tender, 0 sure it will fail you 
Not so, no such dangers shall ever affright me, 
To follow my soldier shall ever delight me, 
In battle's fierce conflict I'll closely attend him, 
And cheerfully venture my life to defend him. 
Harvard, 25274.2, Vol. IV, Ch. 34 
904 
B. Statements of Intention 
(No. 9-15) 
905 
9. THE SAYLORS DEPARTURE 
The Saylors Departure From His Dearest Love, 
WISHING THAT STILL (TO HIM) SHE'D CONSTANT PROVE, 
SHE (IN THE SECOND PART) DOTH THUS REPLY, 
E'RE SHE'D FROM HIS DEPART, SHE'L CHOOSE TO DIE. 
To a new Tune of, Adieu My Pretty One. 
Now I am bound to Seas, and from my Love must part, 
May ought my Dear displease, that lies so near my heart: 
Nor mourn my sweet for me, to perturbate thy mind; 
Since there no help can be, I must leave thee behind. 
Remember me on shore, as I thee on the main, 
So keep my love in store, till I return again. 
Poor Saylors must indure the stormes of Boreas blast, 
Of life no man is sure. while Seas do raging last. 
But when the storms are o'er. that wind and tide serves well, 
We hast to kiss the shore where our true Lovers dwell. 
Remember me on shore, &c. 
When we are landed there, and come to greet our friends, 
Strange wonders we declare, how God us safe defends: 
Then Love (if thou so please) pray still for my success, 
And prosperous gale at Seas, to shield us from distress. 
Remember, &c. 
Our shipping shall be built, without the help of tree; 
The hardest flint shall melt, ere I prove false to thee: 
And though I be inforc'd, to part thy company, 
My love bide's undivorc'd, and shall do till I die. 
Remember, &c. 
The fire shall freeze ••• kind, the snow shall flaming burn; 
The rain shall turn to wind, or e're my love return. 
Young men and maidens all, that live in England wide, 
To witness I you call, how firm my love shall bide. 
Remember me, &c. 
The Mountains high shall fall beneath the Valleys deep, 
E're I prove false at all, my promise so i'll keep. 
And if I hold not true, to thee my gentle Dove, 
Let not mine eyes e're view, Earth, Aire, or heaven above. 
Remember, &c. 
906 
The Fish shall seem to fly, yea Birds to Fishes turn, 
The Sea be ever dry, and Fire surcease to burn: 
When I turn false to thee, shall these things come to pass; 
But that will never be, nor yet so ever was. 
Remember, &c. 
Let no deluding tongue bereave me of my Love; 
Nor (sweet) do me such wrong, lest it my death should prove. 
Though seest I must away, our Ship lies under sail: 
And time for none will stay, Godsend's a happy gale. 
Remember me on shore, as I thee on the Main, 
So keep my love in store, till I return again. 
Her Answer to the Saylors wishes. The second Part, 
To the same Tune. 
Must thou depart my Dear, and leave me thus alone? 
'Twill cost me many a tear, though to thee it be unknown: 
But be assur'd I'le pray, and to the Powers Divine, 
To prosper thee the way, where Fate shall now designe. 
While I remember thee, and keep thy love in store: 
Do thou the like for me, on Sea or on the shore. 
0 till thou dost return from off the Ocean Main. 
Full often I shall mourn, in a lamenting strain: 
And when fierce winds arise or but contrary blow, 
My sighs and watery eyes, shall simpathize thy woe. 
Thus i'le remember thee, &c. 
Each hour shall seem to me, in length (at least) a year, 
Till thy return, I see my joyes are fill'd with fear: 
For on the Seas, I know, what sundry dangers be, 
Rocks, sands and many a foe, from which Lord keep thee free. 
Thus I'le, &c. 
I would I might but sail through surging Seas with thee, 
My heart would never faint, while thou wert near to me. 
Or that I could but hear thy voice, I should be well, 
But thou'lt not be so near, to hear or see thy Nell. 
Yet i'le, &c. 
Though loth we be to part, yet since it seemes wee must; 
To Sea bear thou my heart, with whom it's put in trust. 
And thine with me let rest, till thou return'st again, 
And each be doubly blest, my making one of twain. 
So i'le, &c. 
907 
Mean while my jem and joy, ile kiss thee lovingly, 
Our hopes doth time destroy, would I could him deny. 
But time will comfort bring, though wee a time are crost: 
And Winter finds a Spring. restores what seemed lost. 
Yet i'le, &c. 
Man. Farewell my Love, farewell ten thousand times adieu, 
My witty, pretty Nell, till my return to you. 
Maid. Farewell to thee Sweet-heart, That now to Seas art gone, 
With what great grief I part, to Lovers best 'tis known. 
Yet i'le remember thee, and keep thy love in store, 
Do thou the like by me, &c. 
London, Printed for M. Wright at the Kings head in the Old Baily. 
Euing Ballads, No. 315, p. 519. 
908 
1 0 • THE HONEST MAIDENS LOYALTY 
The Honest Maidens Loyalty: 
Or, The Young Mans Faithful Constancy. 
He vows to endure the Rack and the Stake 
And suffer dearly for his true Lovers sake. 
To a pleasant new tune, Wert thou more fairer 
Now early in a morning fair, a young man sung this pleasant quire. 
Where his dear sweeting did use to lye, and thus lamenting he did cry 
Farewell sweet heart for I must be gone, 
but I'le have my love or I'le have none. 
Set forty thousand on a row, there's none can make so fair a show. 
For in the Pallace of her twinkling eyes, I see how amorous Cupid 
flies, 
As for my part I have chosen one, &c. 
No rack nor stake with tortures great, That shalt my Love entire 
defeat, 
0 do not waver like the turning wind, But bear a lovers constantmind, 
As for my part, &c. 
Thus who can love so true as I, That am so sick yet cannot dye: 
A cordial kiss can my heart revive, And make a love-sick man alive, 
And by experience is well know, &c. 
A Lady in her high degree, Her lofty mind cannot fancy me: 
For many are ambitions in their ways, But maidens chaste young men 
should praise 
I will be faithful to my own, For ile have, &c. 
Your city dames with mincing feats, Have many tricks and fine conceits 
But my true Love is virtuous chast and wise And like an Angell in 
mine eyes, 
As for my part, &c. 
Into some far Countrey I'le go, Confine myself to care and wo, 
Till fickle fortune please to smile, That hath so lower'd all this 
while, 
As for my part I have chosen one, And I'le have, &c. 
909 
" 
The Second Part to the same Tune. 
The Young-man ending of his Song, The Maiden knew his voice and 
tongue, 
And stepping then unto his windowside How fares my Love, aloud she 
cry'd, 
As for my part I have chosen one, I'le have my true or I'le have 
none. 
Though Locks and Bolts do hinder me, Theres none shall keep my 
Love from thee, 
But as the Dove is constant to the end, So Ile prove true to thee my 
friend. 
As for, &c. 
My Father and my Mother both, Have bound it with a fearful! oath, 
They will thee kill and spill thy harmless blood, And so disturb us 
of our good, 
As for, &c. 
My Brother does in ambush wait, Thee to betray withal! deceit; 
Though Father frown and Mother angry be, Yet I will have no Man but 
thee, 
As for, &c. 
My Uncles and my Kindred all, Are much enrag'd (to) scold and brawl 
And wish that day that I to thee am wed, That we may perish in our 
bed. 
As for, &c. 
And I ten thousand pounds of gold, Or Lands, they surely should be 
sold. 
I'le change my state into a low degree, And go a begging along with 
thee. 
As for &c. 
Through fire and water I will go Along with thee who e're say no, 
I am coming now to take with thee my lot, That we may tye the 
Trueloves knot. 
as for, &c. 
Welcome my sweet to him that bears A loyal! heart, overwhelm'd with 
cares. 
Welcome a thousand times my dearest Love For I most faithful! to thee 
will prove. 
as for, &c. 
910 
Heaven blesse the day as we enjoy True Lovers bliss without annoy 
A thousand kisses to my love I'le give, Our hearts united in love 
to live. 
as for, &c. 
Young men and Maids wh[a]t e're you be, Make all your choices firm 
and free 
Prove Loyal, constant, to your dearest friend, So Heavens will 
blesse you unto the end. 
Let all your voices thus go into one, 
I will have my true Love or Ile have none 
London, Printed for Richard Burton at the Horse-shoe 
in Smithfield. 
Yale, BS BY6 f (1641) 
911 
11. THE TRUE-LOVERS HOLIDAIES 
The True-Lovers Holidaies: 
OR, THE WOOING, WINNING, AND WEDDING 
OF A FAIR DAMOSEL; PERFORMED BY A 
LUSTY SOULDIER, BEING ONE OF THE 
AUXILIARIES. 
The Souldier Woo'd the Maid with words most kind, 
She answered him according to his mind. 
To the Tune of, Nobody else shall plunder but I. 
My sweetest, my fairest, My rarest, my dearest, 
Come sit thee down by me and let's chat a while, 
It doth my heart good, when I see thee most nearest, 
That we with pleasant talk & sad times may beguile 
If thou'lt have the patience to stay in this Bower, 
That I may discourse with thee just half an hour, 
I'le shew thee a Ticket from Cupids Commission, 
Which Venus set hand to, upon this condition, 
that no body else shall enuoy thee but I. 
The Summer is come, and the time is in season, 
That each pretty bird have made choise of his Mate, 
Now I being a young man of judgement and reason, 
Have cause to be doing e're time's out of date, 
Hark, hark how I hear the sweet Nightingales verses 
Whose ecchoes records what true-lovers rehearses; 
The true-hearted Turtle-Doves now are a billing, 
And so will I do my Love, if thou art willing 
that no body else shall enuy thee but I. 
I pray thee Love leave me not, though I am a Souldier, 
And want skill in wooing to deal with a Maid; 
Yet if thou wilt kisse me, and make me thy bolder, 
Mark well and consider what here shall be said, 
My hand and my sword shall from danger defend thee, 
My purse and my person shall stoutly attend thee; 
I'l buy thee a new kirtle, wrought waiscoat and beaver 
A dainty silk Apron, my mind shall not waver, 
So no body else shall enjoy thee but I. 
If thou wilt consent, that things shall be so carried, 
Before this day fortnight I'l make thee my wife, 
And we in the Church will be lawfully married, 
So shalt thou live bravely all dayes of thy life; 
Tho shalt have thy servants to wait on thy leisure, 
Thy purse shall be cram'd with gold crowns & rich tresure 
Nothing shall be wanting & I can procure thee, 
912 
So thou wilt be constant and thus much assure me, 
that no body else shall enjoy thee but I. 
Make answer sweet hony to what I have spoken 
That I may the better know whereon to trust, 
Receive this Gold Ring as an eminent token, 
My love shall be permanent, loyal and just; 
One lovely look from thee, for aye will revive me, 
But a frown of thine will of life streight deprive me, 
Then answer me kindly at this time dear sweeting, 
That I may finde comfort by this happy meeting, 
and no body else shall enjoy thee but I. 
THE SECOND PART TO THE SAME TUNE. 
BEING THE MAIDS LOVING ANSWER TO THE SOULDIER. 
I'le leave all my kindred both father and mother, 
My Uncle, my Aunt, and my Grandam also, 
My nearest acquaintance, my Sister and Brother, 
For tis my desire with a Souldier to go, 
In weal and in woe I will with my Love travel 
Whilst some at my service and toyle do much marvel 
So long as my life lasts, if fortune will guide me 
I'le march with thee bravely, what ever betide me. 
And I'le be thy true-love until I dye. 
'Tis not the great Ordance when they do rattle, 
Shall make me fly from thee, my minde is so stout, 
For when I perceive thee preparing for battel, 
I'le closely stick to thee, of that make no doubt, 
And when thou hast drawn they brave blade to befriend me 
For courage and valour and skill I'le commend thee 
In peace and in warres if thou pleasest to prove me, 
By day and by night thou shalt finde how I love thee, 
I'le still take thy part till the day that I dye, 
Moreover sweet Souldier thus much I must tell thee, 
When I understood you took mee for your choice, 
It made the very heart of me Leap in my belly, 
And all the merry veins in my body rejoyce; 
You also requested of me certain kisses, 
The which you accounted as true-Lovers blisses, 
Instead of one kisse, now I'le give thee full twenty, 
So thou wilt repay me again with like plenty. 
and I'le be thy true love until I do dye. 
This Ring which thou gavest me, shall serve for a token, 
I'le keep it for thy sake whiles heaven lends me life, 
The promise betwixt us shall never be broken, 
Be thou my sweet Husband, I'le be thy kinde Wife; 
Then serve Cupids warrant upon me and spare not, 
For what thou canst do with thy Ticket I fear not: 
Let Vulcan and Venus with Cupid conspire, 
913 
To kindle Loves fuel, or quench Lovers fire, 
yet I'le love my Souldier until that I dye. 
You said in a fortnight that we should be married 
But I am unwilling to stay for't so long: 
Besides in my minde I have over much tarried; 
Delayes amongst Lovers doty oftentimes wrong. 
Pray make all things ready 'twixt this and Sunday, 
That we may be married on the next Munday, 
So we in the Holy-days may make us merry, 
With Banquets and Patimes until we be weary. 
and I'le be thy true-love until that I dye. 
L.P. 
FINIS. 
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. Wright. 
Harvard, 25242.68 - pEB-B65H, Vol. II, BS 273r 
914 
12. THE NORTH-COUNTREY MAIDS RESOLUTION 
The North-Countrey Maids Resolution & Love To Her Sweetheart. 
Her Daddy and Mammy she'l rather forsake, 
Then be seperated from her loving Mate: 
She sold all her Linnen, her Goods and her Geer 
And followe her sweet-heart his Snapsack to bear. 
To a pleasant new Northern Tune. 
As from Newcastle I did pass, 
I heard a blithe and bonny Lass, 
Who in the Scottish Army was, 
Saying, prethee le me gang with thee man, 
Unto a Cavaliero Blade, 
As I suppose, her moan she made, 
For ever more these words she said, 
Ile follow my Cavalilly man, 
0 my dainty Cavalilly man, 
My finnikin Cavalilly man, 
For Gods Cause and the Protestants, 
I prithee le me gang with thee man. 
Sweet-heart, quoth she, if hou't consent, 
To follow thee my minde is bent, 
I'll strive to give thee all content, 
Then prethee le me gang with thee man; 
I'll sell my Rock and eke my Reel, 
And after that my Spinning wheel, 
To buy my Love a Cap of Speel, 
And follow my Cavalilly man: 
0 my dainty, &c. 
My Uncle gave me a House and Land, 
I'll sel't for money out of hand, 
And all sall be at thy command, 
Then prethee le me gang with thee man: 
My Mammy gave me a Pot and a Pan, 
My Dady gave me a Yew and a Lamb, 
Yet I's forsake my Dady and Mam, 
To follow my Cavalilly man: 
0 my dainty, &c. 
I'le pawn my Kirtle and eke my Gowne, 
Which cost my Mother many a Crowne 
And goe with thee from Town to Town 
Then prethee le me gang with thee Man: 
915 
I'le sell my Petticoat from my back, 
My Smock and all ere thou shalt lack, 
For either Money Beer, or Sack: 
Then prethee le me goe with thee man, 
0 my dainty, &c. 
Thy company I love so deere, 
Then rather then I'le tarry here, 
Thy Snapsack on my back I'le beare 
And follow my Cavalilly man, 
I'le sell off all my Hemp and Pards, 
And throw aside my wooll and Cards, 
To march along from gards to gards, 
Then prethee le me goe with thee man. 
0 my dainty Cavalilly man, 
My finikin Cavalilly man, 
For Gods Cause and the Protestants, 
prethee le me gang with thee man. 
Whatsoever shall of my selfe betide, 
Where thou shalt either goe or ride, 
Throughout the Kingdom far and wide, 
I'le follow my Cavalilly man: 
I neither care for dirt nor mire, 
Nor marches long my legs to tire, 
Thy company I most desire, 
Then prethee le me goe with thee man, 
0 my dainty Cavalilly man; 
My finikin Cavalilly man, 
For Gods Cause and the Protestants, 
I prethee le me goe with thee man. 
For hose and shoes thou's want for nean, 
Though thy Apparrell be but mean, 
I's wash thee weel and keep thee clean, 
Then prethee le me go with thee man: 
Thou salt have cleath to make thee a sark 
That every yard sall cost a Mark. 
And whether it sall be light or darke, 
I 1le follow my Cavalilly man, 
0 my dainty, &c. 
Give me thy Musket in my hand. 
And when thy Captain gives command, 
Upon the Centry I will stand, 
In stead of my Cavalilly man: 
I'm not afraid of Pistoll shot, 
Nor Cannon bullets burning hot, 
Since that it is my happy lot, 
To follow my Cavalilly man, 
0 my dainty, &c. 
916 
Whilst drums are beating loud alarms 
I will be ready in thine arms, 
To keep my love from further harms, 
To follow my Cavalilly man, 
In frost, in Snow, in Hail, and Raine, 
Ore Hill, and Dale, and many a Plaine, 
I'le follow thee through all the Traine, 
Then prethee le me goe with thee man, 
0 my dainty, &c. 
And when the Wars are at an end, 
That I's return heam with my Friend, 
I'le worke for means for thee to spend, 
Then prethee le me goe with thee Man, 
I'le buy thee new Apparel! gay, 
To wear upon thy Wedding day, 
Then doe not hinder me I pray, 
To follow my Cavalilly man. 
0 my dainty, 
The Soldier hearing of her mean, 
Was loath to leave her all alean, 
And she along with him is gean, 
To follow her Cavalilly man: 
She vows that he his part will take, 
And though her life were laid at'th stake, 
Sheel rather die then him forsake, 
To follow her Cavalilly man. 
0 my dainty Cavalilly man, 
My finnikin Cavalilly man, 
For Gods Cause and the Protestants, 
I prethee le me gang with thee man. 
Entered according to Order. London: Printed for F. Grove dwelling 
on Snow-Hill. 
Euing Ballads, No. 257, p. 419 
917 
1 3 • THE TVVO KINDE LOUERS 
The Tvvo Kinde Louers: 
Or, 
The Maidens Resolution And Will 
To Be Like Her Truer Laue Still. 
To a Dainty new tune. 
Two louely Louers, walking all alone: 
The Female to the Male, was making pittious mane: 
Saying, If thou wilt goe, Laue let me goe with thee, 
Because I cannot liue, without thy company. 
Be thou my Master, Ile be thy trusty Page, 
To waite on thee in thy weary Pilgriage. 
So shall I still enioy thy louely presence, 
In which alone consists my earthly essence. 
Be thou the Sunne, Ile be the heavnes so bright, 
Be thou the Moone, Ile be the light all night: 
Be thou Aurora, the giver of the day, 
I will be the pearly dew, upon the flowers gay. 
Be thou the Rose, thy smell I will assume, 
And yeild a sweet odoriferous perfume: 
Be thou the Rain-bow, Ile be the colours many, 
Be thou the cloud, Ile be the weather rainy. 
Be thou the Lyon, Ile be the Lionesse: 
Be thou the seruant, Ile be the Mistresse: 
Be thou the Porpentine, and ile be the quill, 
That wheresoeuer thou goest: I may be with thee still. 
Be thou the Turtle and I will be thy Mate, 
And if thou dye, my life ile euer hate: 
Be thou the nimble fairy, that trips upon the ground, 
And I will be the circle, where thou maist dance a round. 
Be thou the swan, ile be the bubling riuer: 
Be thou the gift, and I will be the giuer: 
Be thou the chast Diana, and I will be as chast: 
Be thou the Time ile be the houres past. 
918 
Be thou the Ship ile be the surging Seas, 
That shall transport my Loue, where he doth please: 
Be thou the Neptune, ile be triple Mace, 
Be thou the iocund Hunter, ile be the Deere in Chase. 
The Second Part. To the same Tune. 
Be thou the Shepheard, ile be the Shepherdesse, 
To sport with thee in ioy and happinesse: 
I will be the Marigold, if thou wilt be the Sunne: 
Be thou the Fryer, and I will be the Nun. 
I will be the Pelican, and thou shalt be the yong, 
Ile spend my blood, to succour thee from wrong: 
Be thou the Gardner, and I will the flowers, 
That thou maist make me grow with fruitful! showres. 
Be thou the Falconer, the falcon I will be, 
To yeeld delight and pleasure unto thee: 
Be thou the Lantherne, I will be the light, 
To lead thee to thy fancy meny darkesome night. 
Be thou the Captaine, ile be the Souldier stout, 
And helpe in danger still to beare thee out: 
Be thou the louely Elme, and I will be the Vine, 
In sweet concordance, to smypathize and twine, 
Be thou the Pilot, ile be the Sea Mans Card, 
Ile be the Taylor and thou shalt be my yard: 
Be thou the Weauer, and ile the (thread) be, 
Be thou the (Forester) and I will be the tree. 
Be thou the Blake-smith, I will be the Forge: 
Be thou the Waterman, I will be the barge: 
Be thou the Broker, and I will be the Pawne: 
Be thou the Parasite, and I will learne to fawne. 
These louely Louers being thus combind, 
Most equally agreed both in heart and mind. 
Accursed may they be, who seeke to part these twaine: 
Whom Loue and Nature did to loue ordaine. 
919 
I wish all yong men, that constant are in Loue, 
To find out a woman that will so loyal! proue: 
And to all honest Maidens, in heart I wish the same, 
That Cupids !awes may be deuoyd of blame. 
Finis. 
Printed at London, by the Assignes of Thomas Symcocke. 
NYPL/Research Division, *ZKC 893-16865 (Microfilms of Books 
Printed in England before 1640). 
920 
14. THE JOLLY ROVING TAR 
The Jolly Roving Tar. 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3 Monmouth Court. 
It was in London City & near to the highway, 
I overheard a pretty maid as I along did stray, 
She did appear like Venus or some sweet lovely star, 
As she walked the beach, lamenting for her jolly roving tar. 
0 William, gallant William how could you sail away, 
I have arrived at 21, I am a lady gay, 
I'll man one of my father's ships and brave the Chinese war, 
And to cross the briny ocean for my jolly roving tar. 
Young William look'd so manly drest in his Sailor's clothes, 
His cheeks are like two roses his eyes as black as sloes. 
His hair hung down in ringlets but now he's gone afar 
And my heart lays in the bosom of my jolly roving tar. 
Its many pleasant evening my lad and I did pass, 
With many a jolly Sailor gay, and many a bonny lass, 
The harp was sweetly playing likewise the wild guitar 
I went hand & hand together with my jolly roving tar. 
Come all my jolly Sailors and push the boat from shore, 
That I may view my father's ship to find she is secure, 
Provision you'll have plenty and lots of grog in store, 
Give chace my jolly Sailors for my jolly roving tar. 
She quickly jump'd into the boat, and boldly left the land, 
And as the Sailors row'd, she wav'd her lily, lilly hand, 
Farewell you girls of London I fear no wound or scar, 
And away went pretty Susan for her jolly roving tar. 
Huntington Library, 297337. 
921 
15. THE FEMALE VOLUNTEER FOR TEXAS 
The Female Volunteer for Texas. 
Tune -- The Dashing White Sergeant. 
Oh! had I a beau, 
Who for Texas would go, 
Do you think I'd say no, 
No, no, not I; 
When his rifle I saw, 
Not a sigh would I draw, 
But give him eclat, 
For his bravery. 
If a band of young patriots should come in my way 
A volunteer for Texas I'd march away. 
March, march, &c. 
When the field I am on, 
Do you think I would mourn, 
Or wish to return, 
No, no not I --
With freedom I'd burn, 
All fear would I scorn, 
Till Texas was crowned with Liberty! 
If a band of young patriots should come in my way 
A volunteer for Texas I'd march away. 
March away, march away, &c. 
Then arouse, man & maid, 
Fair Texas to aid, 
Grasp rifle and blade, 
And never fly, 
Till freedom again, 
Shall smile on her plain, 
Your life's blood drain, 
For victory. 
If a band of young patriots should come in my way 
A volunteer for Texas I'd march away. 
March away, march away, &c. 
Brown/John Hay Songster Coll./A52368/SmBks 
Songster. Philadelphia, New York, Boston: 
p. 210. 
922 
- The American Sailor's 
Fisher & Bro., (185-), 
II. DISCOURSE-NARRATIVE 
BALLADS 
(No. 16) 
923 
16. THE TWO FAITHFUL LOVERS. 
The Two Faithful Lovers. 
To the Tune of, Franklin is fled away, &c. 
Man) Farewell my heart's delight 
Ladies adieu, 
I must now take my flight, 
what e're ensue; 
My Country Men i see, 
They cannot yet agree; 
Since it will no better be, 
England farewel. 
Maid.) 0 be not so unkind, 
Heart love and joy, 
To leave me here behind, 
breeds my annoy: 
0 have a patient heart, 
I'll help to bear the smart 
E're I from the will part, 
my turtle dove. 
M) I'll leave the gold good store, 
thee to maintain; 
What can'st thou wish for more? 
do not complain: 
Servants shall wait on thee, 
I'll give the jewels three, 
That thou may'st think on me 
when i am gone. 
M.) Your gold i count but dross, 
when you are fled, 
Your absence is my loss, 
'twill strike me dead; 
Servants i will have none, 
When you are from me gone, 
I'd rather lye alone, 
from company. 
M.) I am resolv'd to go, 
fortune to prove; 
Advise me what to do, 
my dearest love: 
For here i will not bide, 
What e're doth me betide; 
Heavens now be my guide, 
and lead the way. 
924 
M.) Then let me go with you, 
heart love and joy; 
I will attend on you 
and be your boy; 
If you will go to sea, 
i'll serve you night and day; 
For here i will not stay, 
if you go hence. 
M.) The seas are dangerous, 
strangers unkind, 
The rocks are perillous, 
so is the wind; 
My care is all for thee 
As thou may'st plainly see, 
Dear heart, go not with me 
but stay behind. 
M.) Tho' seas do threaten death, 
my hearts delight 
With the i'll spend my breath, 
naught shall affright, 
With the i 111 live and dye, 
In thy sweet company, 
Though dangers shall be nigh, 
both day and night. 
In man's apparel now to sea she went, 
Because with him she'd be 
her heart's content; 
She cut her lovely hair, 
And no mistrust there were, 
That she a maiden fair, 
was at that time. 
To Venice they were bound 
with ful consent, 
With sorrows compast round 
away they went. 
On an unhappy day 
The ship was cast away, 
Which wrought their lives decay 
Friends discontent. 
925 
The ship being cast away 
fortune so frown'd, 
He swam to land that day, 
but she was drown'd 
Oh! his true love was drown'd, 
And never after found, 
And he encompast round 
with grief and care. 
0 cruel seas (quoth he) 
and rocks unkind, 
To part my dear and me, 
in love combin'd: 
0 cast her on this shore; 
I may her death implore, 
And mourn for ever more 
until i dye. 
You loyal lovers all 
that hear this ditty, 
Sigh and lament my fall 
let's move you to pity: 
She now lies in the deep, 
In everlasting sleep, 
And left me here to weep 
in great distress. 
Dear love, I come quoth he, 
heaven's me guide. 
I long to be with thee 
my only bride 
In Venice he did dye, 
And there his corpse doth lye, 
And left his friends to cry, 
0 Hone, 0 Hone. 
Harvard, 71-217F, No. 11 
926 
• 
III. NARRATIVE BALLADS 
1. Ballads Which Depict a Woman in Male Disguise 
in Other than a Military Context 
(A) Ballads Involving Parental Interference 
in a Courtship (No. 17-22) 
927 
17. THE BAILIFF'S DAUGHTER OF ISLINGTON (Child 105) 
The Bailie's Daughter 
There was a youth an a weel-faurt youth 
An he wis a squire's son 
An he loved the Baillie's ae daughter 
That lived at Islington - ton 
That lived at Islington. 
But when his parents came to know 
His fond and foolish mind 
They sent him on to fair London 
An apprentice for to bind. 
When all the maids of Islington 
Went out to sport and play 
All but the Baillie's ae daughter 
She privately stole away. 
She pulled off her gowns o silk 
And put on men's attire 
And she has to fair London gone 
For her true love to enquire. 
And as she went along the road 
The weather being hot and dry 
She set her down upon a bank 
And her true love came riding by. 
She started up with her colour so red 
Catching hold of his bridal rein. 
One penny one penny kind sir she said 
Would ease me o much pain. 
Before I give you a penny he said 
Pray tell me where you were born. 
At Islington town kind sir said she 
Where I've had many a scorn. 
I prithee then tell to me he said 
Oh tell me if you know 
The Bailie's daughter of Islington? 
She is dead some years ago. 
928 
If she be dead whom I like well 
And in her grave laid low 
Ye'll take fae me my milk-white steed 
My arrow and my bow. 
If she be dead then take my horse 
My saddle and bridle also 
For I will go to some far countrie 
Where no one shall me know. 
She is well she is well and very very well 
And she stands by your horse side 
She is well and she's well and very very well 
And she's willin to be your bride. 
0, farewell grief and welcome joy 
Ten thousand times farewell 
For now I've found mine own true love 
Whom I thought I would never see more. 
Greig-Duncan, p. 434, No. 168. 
929 
18 • THE PRETTY GREEN COAT BOYS GARLAND 
--------
The Pretty Green Coat Boys Garland. 
Ye pretty young maidens and batchelors sweet, 
Come draw near to me while I do relate, 
Tis a true story as e'er you did hear, 
Wherefore good people I pray now draw near. 
Near Durance in France there lived at a town, 
A noble lord of fame and renown, 
Who had a fine lady and by her we hear, 
He had a fine son whom he loved dear. 
There was an old farmer who lived just by, 
Who had a fine daughter as ever you did spy, 
Sure in this country there never was bred, 
Such a sweet creature for white and red. 
Which ma.de the nobility both far and near, 
Dukes lords and knights thither to repair, 
To couple this beauty but all in vain, 
Since none of them could her favour obtain. 
At length this young lord's son among the rest, 
Came a courting to her as I do protest, 
0 pretty Jenny now grant me thy love, 
Or else you will my destruction prove. 
She said noble lord I am poor and low, 
My father is a poor farmer you know, 
And he is not able to portion me, 
And so to consent I'm not willing said she. 
If I yield unto you perhaps they will say 
This lord has thrown himself quite away, 
And so noble lord we shall never agree, 
A labouring man is much better for me. 
Who getteth his bread by the sweat of his brow, 
And still take delight to follow the plough, 
He has more delight I'll make it appear, 
Than a noble knight of ten thousand a year. 
Who has health and riches of houses and land, 
Has men and maid-servants now at his command, 
If thou canst but love me sweet Jenny said he, 
A lady of honour you quickly shall be. 
She said noble lord I would be your bride, 
But what will become of us both she reply'd, 
If your honoured father should chance to know, 
How you love a poor farmer's daughter so. 
If my father chance to be angry with me, 
Or my mother frown when my jewel she see, 
I'll work while I'm able to follow the plough, 
And get my bread by the sweat of my brow. 
930 
I hope my Jenny will never complain, 
Whatever I promise while life doth rem(ain) 
I'll faithfully perform my jewel said he, 
Jenny consent my bride for to be. 
As they were discoursing by a grove we hear, 
His father was walking to take the air, 
He drew near to them close by a ditch side, 
Where these lovers met this debate to decide. 
And having heard what between them did pass, 
He came to his son and said to him alas, 
Are you going to disgrace your family, 
One farthing I never will give unto thee. 
But straight will banish you from this place, 
Thou shalt not be to me a scorn and disgrace, 
By wedding a husbandman's daughter so poor, 
And so son do not come nigh me any more. 
The son on his knees to his father did say, 
0 do not take from me my jewel I pray, 
And if I'm obliged to beg for my dear, 
I'll travel the world around far and near. 
The father in a rage to the mother did go, 
And told her the news with a heart full of woe, 
Sweet wife your son will be wedded indeed, 
To a farmer's daughter it makes my heart bleed. 
Unto whom sweet husband? the wife did reply, 
To one of my tenants who liveth hard by, 
With that his mother in a passion did run, 
Go fetch my son to me or I am undone. 
He came to her presence when she saw his face, 
0 son thou hast brought me to shame and disgrace, 
By joining to one that's not fitting for thee, 
I am not wedded sweet mother said he. 
The son on his knees to his mother did cry, 
If you part me from my jewel I die, 
Was I lord of ten thousand a year, 
I'd part with it all for the sake of my dear. 
The father in a passion replies to the son, 
I will take heed you shall not be undone, 
And for the jewel thou dost love so dear, 
I'll have her transported so you shall not hear. 
Which way is she gone or where does she go, 
And how to find her you never shall know, 
With that the son fell on his knees, 
Dear parents do with me just as you please. 
Now I'll leave the son in tears to complain, 
And unto the farmer's daughter return, 
She knowing his father would send her away, 
She went to the taylor the very next day. 
931 
And bargain'd with him for a livery of green, 
Coat waistcoat and breeches so neat and so trim, 
She got a black bag and ty'd up her hair, 
And then for a journey she did prepare. 
She goes to the town whereat she did dwell, 
Good people now mind but what I shall tell, 
The lord sent his servant to bring her with speed, 
In hopes to have her transported indeed. 
They came to her father and thus did say, 
We come for your daughter to send her away, 
You may look for her the farmer did cry, 
If I lose my daughter I surely shall die. 
Away they did ride to their master with speed, 
And said she is gone noble lord indeed, 
Well if it is so I am glad he replies, 
With that the young lord most bitterly cries. 
The very next morning when daylight did peep, 
The mother rose and left the father asleep, 
She went to her son and to him did say, 
Having opened the door where lamenting he lay. 
She said sweet son here's five hundred pound. 
And take my horse and go out of town. 
Before thy father gets out of sleep, 
My blessing go with thee then he did weep. 
I thank you mother the son did reply, 
At parting both kiss'd and then did cry. 
Cries he I'll travel the world far and near, 
In search of my jewel whom I love so dear. 
Then taking his horse away he did go, 
Leaving his parents in sorrow and woe, 
But as he was riding along the highway. 
He met with his lover in pages array. 
She bowed to him with cap in hand, 
And said noble lord I do understand, 
That you are going a journey said she, 
Are you willing to have such a servant as me. 
He said my pretty lad what is thy name, 
And where was you born tell me the same, 
I was born in Durance kind sir said she, 
Adonis is the name my parents gave me. 
He said you're a pretty lad as I do live, 
And as for the wages I surely will give. 
Where I to travel the world round said she, 
A comlier child I never could see. 
He bought her a horse and away they did ride, 
With sword case and pistols and all by her side, 
At length they did travel many a long day, 
Until they were weary almost we hear say. 
932 
Now we will leave them in grief for awhile, 
And turn to the old lord to grieve for his child, 
The old man arising and missing his son, 
He stamp'd like a madman and said I'm undone. 
His wife said to him cruel you were, 
To banish from me my own son and heir, 
Thou was cruel thus to spoil thy son in love, 
Perhaps it may to him his destruction prove. 
The father cried I'm griev'd to the heart, 
With thinking my son should from me part, 
For now he is gone the wide world to range, 
But had he been here my mind I would change. 
I wish I had give him my consent to wed, 
But now he is gone my joys are fled, 
If he and his love were here with me now, 
With all that I have I would them endow. 
Now we will leave them to sorrow and moan, 
And back again to the son will return, 
Who spent all his days in searching his dear, 
And how he did find her you soon shall hear. 
Altho' he was searching for her night and day, 
She wandered with him pages array, 
And each night with him in bed did lie, 
And was partaker of his calamity. 
When he did lament it made her to weep 
That very few nights could they sleep, 
Thus for want of rest and great poverty, 
They in strange countries were like to die. 
Along they did travel in sorrow and grief, 
From door to door begging some relief, 
Which made the young lord to shed many a tear, 
And cry'd had I once but the sight of my dear. 
0 then would I freely resign up my breath, 
For hear I am weary of living on earth, 
Then the sweet heavens do pity me, 
And grant me a sight of my jewel to see. 
Then spoke his lover in pages array, 
Come let us go home dear sir I pray. 
And there your true love you will surely find, 
Your father and mother both living and kind. 
My sweet loving child I pity thy case, 
But I am resolv'd to die in this place, 
My father and mother I never more will see, 
Because in my love they proved cruel to me. 
0 do not say so then answered the lad 
Your father to see you will surely be glad. 
And also your mother who on you doth wait, 
Would be glad to see you and fly to your feet. 
933 
He heard what she said and took her advice, 
Then taking of shipping they sailed in a trice, 
Unto fair Durance city when landed they were, 
He unto his parents doth straight repair. 
Then going towards home with tears in his eyes. 
At last his father and mother he spies, 
For as they were standing both by the door, 
They spied their son come distressed and poor. 
His father said yonder cometh my son, 
His mother with joy away did run, 
As soon as she saw him she fell in a swoon, 
And with perfect joy she fell on the ground. 
Then in they went with joy overspread, 
The father to see his son was overglad, 
For joy of his coming great feasting was made, 
But yet for his lover his heart it did ache. 
The father said son what makes you so sad, 
I'm sure to see you my heart it is glad, 
If that your lover was but here now, 
With all that I have I would you endow. 
His lover standing by in pages array, 
With tears in her eyes she to him did say, 
I am the young creature that should be your bride, 
Altho' seven years I have laid by your side. 
With that the younglover was in amaze, 
And for a long time upon her did gaze, 
Art thou the poor farmer's daughter said he, 
Who seven years have begged with me. 
Then said the father sure that cannot be, 
That you whom he sought was in his company, 
Now I consent you shall be his bride, 
That word has reviv'd me the son did reply. 
They sent for her father and mother with speed, 
To hear of her company they were glad indeed, 
Come play us a jig the old woman did cry, 
Since my daughter's a lady I'll dance till I die. 
They sent to the gentry both far and near, 
To view this couple they thither did repair, 
For a finer couple there never was seen, 
The old farmer's daughter as fine as a queen. 
Let all loyal lovers take warning by this, 
Do as they did and you'll never do amiss, 
If you were to travel the wide world all round 
Two loyaler lovers could never be found. 
Printed and Sold by J. Pitts, No. 14, Great St. Andrew Street, 
Seven Dials. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. VI, 72. 
934 
' I 
19. THE PRINCELY LOVERS GARLAND 
The Princely Lovers Garland. 
Once I read a noble volume, Or a history book, some call em, 
Of two lovers true indeed, None for love could them exceed. 
It is of a king's fair daughter, (pray now mark what follows after) 
And a noble prince of fame; To her father's court he came. 
Where he soon observ'd her beauty. Now, quoth he, it is my duty 
For to woo both day and night, Since thy charming beauty bright 
Has my heart so deeply wounded, That my senses are confounded. 
Yet to her I dare not speak, Because her father isso great. 
No, no, no, I dare not venture, Or into her presence enter, 
Fearing of her father's rage. Would I were her serving-page. 
Then should I observe my duty, Still admiring her beauty; 
Which doth glance from her fair eyes, As the morning star doth rise. 
In the private garden walking, He thus to himself was talking, 
From her window she did him spy, Then on the prince she cast an eye. 
Where young Cupid soon did hover Round about this princely lover, 
With his conquering bended bow, She was wounded with love also. 
This young princess had a brother, Who her love did soon discover. 
Where he soon declar'd the same This noble knight of fame. 
This young knight, and did enquire Of his noble birth and fame? 
None could tell from whence he came. Tho' he was both son and heir 
To a king and queen so fair, Yet het he never understood, 
He was born of royal blood. And for that very same reason, 
It was counted as high trason For to court this princely dame, 
Where he suffer'd for the same. 
Her father hearing of the story, Now, quoth he, I'll blast the glory. 
How dare he this thing presume? Noght but death shall be his doom. 
Since it lies within my power, Instead of love I'll him devour. 
Him by these hungry lions jaws, And with his body fill their maws. 
To my daughter you'd be marry'd, To a den you shall be carry'd; 
Where instead of bridegroom's bed, Lions shall your hearts blood shed. 
Yet these lions had no power His poor carcase to devour. 
Which from them he understood He was born of noble blood. 
Then came down the lions keeper, For to clease the den, and sweep her, 
Where this noble knight got hold Of this keeper, stout and bold. 
Where he made him for to swear That he never would declare, 
For his life, to any one, But that the lions had pick'd his bone. 
Now within a short time after, He wrote to the king's fair daughter, 
That he was alive and well, Living in a lonesome cell. 
The young princess told her brother, He with joy then soon went 
thither 
Where they soon contriv'd, we hear, To steal her from her father dear. 
935 
Then a ship was soon made ready, To convey this princely lady. 
But now comes a great surprise, Violent storms did soon arise. 
Where the ships was tore and shatter'd, And those loyal lovers 
scatter'd 
From each other, as we hear, Fortune proving so severe. 
On a plank then swam her brother, And the princess on another. 
Where in short time we understand, They were drove unto the land. 
The poor knight in his condition Was taken up by one a fishing. 
To the land he was convey'd, And to the king he was betray'd. 
Tho' you was preserv'd from lions, You shall now be bound in irons, 
Where you shall resign your breath, In a dungeon starv'd to death. 
He bing thus confin'd in fetters, To the jailor he sends letters, 
To speak with him speedily, He being sick and like to die. 
Then the jailor he did enter, Now, quoth he, pray jailor venture 
From these irons set me free. Store of gold I'll give to thee. 
And being greedy of the treasure. Soon he freed him with great 
pleasure 
Being from the irons freed. He the jailor kill'd with speed. 
Once more he his freedom gained, And his liberty obtained. 
Yet his heart was filled with woe, That he must from his princess go. 
Travelling with grief and sorrow, To the court of Bohemia, 
From that court he understood He was born of noble blood. 
Being at a great collation, Strait appear'd an apparition 
At the table where he din'd, With a flaming torch, we find. 
Most gracious king and queen so royal, That's your son, make no 
denial, 
Ever since the rebellion, He has been missing so long. 
I'm his nurse, who was disloyal. To murder that young prince so royal. 
My knife was three times at his throat, To let his royal blood run 
out. 
Yet I having not the power, Into the woods with him did scower, 
Where three years I did maintain The royal prince, till I was slain. 
As the child and I were walking, To the young prince, I was talking, 
Came a lion from the wood, Nurs'd the child and suck'd my blood. 
When she had the same revealed Which long time had been concealed 
Then she vanish'd clear away, And left them all surpriz'd that day. 
Now this frightful apparition Brought good news unto the nation, 
Tongue nor pen cannot express The nation's joys the prince possess 
Now we'll leave his in this nation To relate the great vexation 
Of that tyrant king once more, Of whom we rehears'd before. 
He with royal passion fretted, When to him it was related, 
That the knight was dead and gone, 
And the jailor dead was found. 
With revenge said to his daughter, In great spightful smiles and 
laughter, 
Madam, you would fain be wed, Go and take your love that's dead. 
You shall not have your desire, I his corps will burn with fire. 
936 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
I i 
The great princess in distress Ran unto the mournful hearse. 
At the hearse she met her brother With a dagger; she had another. 
Come dear brother, she did cry, Since he's dead let us two die. 
Cruel father, prince of tyrants, You would fain destroy with lions; 
But his royal, blood you see Sav'd him from that tyranny. 
Since you are to me so cruel, His dead corps to burn with fuel. 
With my tears I'm him embalm, And then burn within his arms • 
Strait the princess with her brother, Ddi the mournful hearse 
uncover, 
Where unto their joy they found The jailor corps; the prince was gone. 
Said the princess with discretion I will travel from the nation, 
For to find my dearest dear. Father, you are too severe. 
Strait she dress'd in man's attire, Thro strange nations did enquire 
After this brave knight of fame. To his court at length she came. 
For a service she enquired. Her sweet charms the prince admired, 
Come, sweet youth, the prince he said, You will be my waiting-page. 
A hunting went the prince soon after With his nobles, full of 
laughter 
In the middle of the sport, The prince left the royal court, 
The prince with his page did wander Till at length he spy'd a farmer 
In one bed the royal pair Forced to take their lodging were. 
The royal prince was discontented, In the right he thus lamented 
Oh! my royal love, said he I wish you was along with me. 
Said the page, Dear lord and master, Don't lament your sad disaster 
Her dear picture you shall see For I have it here with me. 
I mean at your palace royal. The next day without denial, 
Returning thanks, they pass'd away To the court, without delay. 
For her picture long he waited, Tarrying long, at length he fretted. 
Strait he went, in a great rage, For to seek his servant-page. 
The young princess being ready, There was no page, but a lady • 
Oh! great princess most divine. Lovely picture, thou art mine. 
With great joy beyond expressing, Were this royal pair possessing. 
The great day appointed were For to join this happy pair. 
News was carry'd to her father, That they both were join'd together 
Tho' you held him once in scorn, He is ace, borrinp royal fir,n • 
Huntington Library, 289716-289788 
937 
2 0 • THE DOATING MOTHER' S GARLAND 
The Commical Wedding, A Garland, in Four Parts. 
I. How a wealthy old Gentlewoman having but one Daughter, 
would not let her marry her Lover who was a Sailor. And how she 
detained her Daughter's Portion in order to purchase herself 
an Husband. II. How her Daughter, seeing her so eager for an 
Husband, dressed herself in Man's Attire, and went to Court her 
Mother. III. How she consented to marry her, and agreed to 
resign over all her Riches to her. IV. How she was discovered 
by her Aunt: and how the Daughter married the Sailor. 
Belfast: Printed in the Year, 1766. 
The comical Wedding. 
Part I. 
To the Tune of, Butter and Eggs. 
You maidens all that here do dwell, I pray you draw near a while, 
To hear this pleasant Ditty, 'Twill make you for to smile, 
'Tis of a Merchant's widow That does in London dwell, 
And she had store of Riches As many People tell. 
She had a handsome Daughter, Indeed she had no more, 
And she was Heir as we do find To all her worldly Store. 
A Sailor for to court this Maid Did come, but he was poor, 
Yet ne'ertheless this Maiden Heir She did him much adore. 
This youthful Couple had agree'd To wed in little time, 
If the good old Woman They could get in that mind: 
But of her Gold and Silver She such a God make, 
She kept her Daughter single, All for her Portion's sake. 
The Maiden said, pray Mother Let me go Wed my Dear; 
For we have lov'd each other Above these seven years. 
The Mother to her then did say, Have him, with all my Heart, 
One Farthing of your Portion To you I'll ne'er impart. 
The Daughter said, your Reason For that give me to know; 
Six thousand Pounds my Father He left me, that is true. 
As long as I have Wealth enough I'll have the Man I love. 
And therefore I hope that you will Never unfaithful prove. 
The old Woman in a passion flew, And thus she out did swear, 
You are too young to marry first, And therefore pray forbear: 
For you must let me marry first, Tho' I am old and Gray, 
I have a tooth within my Head, That's cloutish yet, I say. 
Dear Mother, you do make me blush To hear you talk thus wild; 
But since you do a Husband want, I swear, as I'm your Child, 
I'll stay till you are marry'd first, And when it is my turn, 
I hope to have the Man I love, So let the Game go on. 
938 
Pray fit me for the Country, For there I mean to go, 
And there the jolly Sailor Will not be in my view. 
The old Woman rejoic'd at this; Did fit her out straightway, 
Thinking she to Worcester shire Wou'd go without delay. 
Part II. 
This young crafty damsel had A Fralick in her Head. 
She went then for her True-Love, And unto him she said, 
My Mother says, my Portion Must her a husband buy, 
For she without a Bed-Fellow Much longer cannot lie. 
And therefore I'm resolved This Fralick for to play; 
I'll cut my lovely white Hair, And Dress in Man's array; 
A Suitor to my mother, I'll go in this Disguise, 
And bite the good old Woman Of all her Golden Prize. 
Her Lover he did heartily Laugh for to hear the same, 
Saying, if you do proceed, my Dear It will be pretty Game, 
But, prithee, do you think That she'll not know your Face, 
Ne'er fear, reply'd the Maiden fair, For thus must stand the Case. 
I'll stifle her with Kisses, And put her in surprize: 
I'll vow and swear I nothing see But Beauties in her Eyes. 
And if that she at any time But gazes in my Face, 
I'll on her bosom lay my Head, Her Bubies to embrace. 
The old Woman then thinking Her Daughter out of town 
She was resolved not very long Then for to lie alone: 
And she among her Friends A visiting did go, 
In hopes a Husband for to get, As she walk'd to and fro. 
Part III. 
Her Daughter dress'd up like a Beau, One Day shecmnc'd to meet, 
Who kindly did embrace her, And swore the Kiss was sweet; 
Dear Madam, I'm so deep in Love, Before that we do part, 
I beg you tell me where you live, Or else you'll break my Heart. 
She said, you may go along with me, And if your Love be true, 
You are a charming pretty Youth, And I can fancy you. 
I have store of Gold and Silver To make you Rich and great 
A Chariot wherein you may ride, And Footmen on you wait. 
She little thinking who this brisk Young airy Spark might be; 
She took her new acquaintance Home immediately. 
The Spark he fell a courting her, And solemnly did swear, 
Ten thousand charming Beauties In her bright Eyes there were. 
Then gave her melting Kisses, And pull'd her on his Knee, 
And with her ancient Bubbies play'd A pleasant Comedy. 
The old Woman did simper, And was pleased to the Heart 
Saying, my Dear, a Diamond Ring I'll give before we part. 
And then up she took her Love To see her Golden Store; 
Saying, the Day I marry you I'll give you this and more. 
But can you love me heartily? Tell me, my pretty Dear, 
Because you see that I am old, And stricken well in Years. 
939 
And you are but a stripling, I fear you'll a Whoring run, 
And leave me for to pine, Then I shall be undone. 
Dear Madam I did never love A Whore in all my Life; 
I'll be as constant as the Dove, When you are made my Wife. 
My dear, said the old Woman, Upon Saint Andrew's Day, 
We will be join'd together In private, I do say; 
I'll make you Master of my Store Before to Bed we go, 
That you the better may reward My love, for doing so. 
With many amorous Kisses They parted for that night, 
She goes unto the Sailor, Her Joy and Heart's delight; 
She gave him the Diamond Ring And told her good success; 
And tho' she had the Breeches on They lovingly embrac'd. 
A courting to her Mother, Each Day she constant went, 
At length Saint Andrew's Day came Unto their great content. 
To Church then to be Married, This Couple they did hie, 
The marriage being over, The Fun comes by and by. 
Part IV. 
As soon as e'er the Bridegroom Did come within the Door, 
She took him in, and made him Master of all her Store, 
Her Gold, her Bonds and Leases, She did to her Spouse resign: 
Saying, take Possession of my Store, For thou art fairly mine. 
Thus done, the Female Bridegroom Began to be in fear, 
Which way the Golden Prize To convey unto her Dear, 
Then turning to her Mother, She said, my Heart's delight, 
We'll go Abroad to Dine to Day So home to Bed at Night. 
The Bride she had a Sister Liv'd in Hanover Square, 
She agree'd for to go thither, And her Spouse to meet her there, 
Her Chariot was made ready, And as soon as she was gone, 
The Bridegroom for the Sailor sent, And told him what was done. 
Ten thousand Pounds to the jolly Sailor she did give 
Saying, to-morrow I'll be with you, If that I do live: 
But I must give my Bride My Company this Night; 
I fear her Bargain she'll repent Before the Morning light. 
The Sailor steer'd off with the Prize, The Bridegroom to the Bride, 
And when he enter'd the Room The Aunt in surprize said 
Is this your Husband, Sister dear? I verily do fear 
It is your only Daughter now, That does the Breeches wear. 
The Devil take her if it be, The old Woman did say, 
Now steadfastly I look at her, I really think 'tis she: 
But to be further satisfy'd I solemnly do swear, 
I soon will have the Breeches down, To know what sort of ware. 
Then rising in a passion, Did to the Breeches fall; 
The Daughter laughed heartily, She had no strength at all, 
She cry'd how can you be so rude Such things for to discover, 
I'm sure I am as good a Man As ever was my Mother. 
She having got the Breeches down, She found the thing was true, 
She said, Since you have me deceiv'd; I'll surely make you rue. 
940 
It is not in your Power, The Daughter she did say: 
You fairly did surrender Your treasure unto me. 
The old Woman tore with Anger The teeth out of her Head, 
Next Day the youthful Lady She did the Sailor Wed. 
The Mother an Hundred a Year She now does possess, 
And when it does come in her turn She is to be caress'd. 
FINIS. 
Harvard, 25276.2, Vol. III, ch. 6 
941 
21. THE CRUEL FATHER, OR 
THE AFFECTIONATE LOVER 
The Cruel Father, or the Affectionate Lover. 
'Twas of a damsel both fair and handsome 
Those lines are true as I've been told, 
On the banks of the Shanon in a lofty mansion 
Her parents claimed stores of gold. 
Her hair was black as a raven's feather, 
Her form and features describe who can, 
But still tis a folly belonging to nature, 
She fell in love with her servant man. 
Sweet Maryann with her love was walking, 
Her father to them nearer drew, 
And as those true lovers were fondly talking, 
Home in anger her father flew. 
To build a dungeon was his intent, 
To part these true loves he contrived plan, 
He swore an oath 'tis vile to mention, 
He'd part that fair one from her servant man. 
He built a dungeon of bricks and mortar, 
With a flight of steps, it was underground, 
The food he gave her was bread and water, 
The only cheer that for her was found. 
Three times a day he did cruelly beat her, 
Unto her father she thus began: 
As I have transgressed, now, dear father 
I'll live and die for my servant man. 
Young Edward found out her habitation, 
It was well secured by an iron door, 
He vowed in spite of all this nation, 
He'd gain her freedom or rest no more. 
It was his leisure, he toiled with pleasure, 
To gain relief for his Maryanne. 
He gained his object and found his treasure, 
She cried, my faithful servant man. 
A suit of clothing he brought his lover, 
Of man's apparel, her to disguise, 
Saying for your sake I'l face your father, 
To see me here it will him surprise. 
When her cruel father brought bread & water 
To call his daughter he then began, 
942 
Said Edward, enter I've cleared your daughter 
I will suffer, your servant man. 
When her father found him so tender, 
Down he fell on the dungeon floor, 
He said, true lovers shall not be parted, 
Since love can force an iron door. 
Soon they joined to be parted never, 
And roll in riches this young couple can, 
This fair young lady has rural pleasure, 
And lives content with her servant man. 
W. Birmingham, 103, Thomas-street, Dublin 
Providence Public Library, Irish Bs. Coll., Special Collections 
943 
22. THE WEXFORD LOVERS 
The Wexford Lovers. 
H. Disley, Printer, 57, High Street, St. Giles. 
Being in the summer season, In the lovely month of June, 
When cowslips and primroses and daises, where in full bloom, 
I heard a lovely maid complain, these words to me did say, 
Cruel was my parent that sent my love away. 
My father was a nobleman, his riches they were great, 
I was his child & only heir all for his whole estate 
Near Wexford Town of high renown, there liv'd a sporting blade, 
My heart's delight there he was reared a carpenter by trade. 
Young Preston was my lovers name, he was full six feet three, 
My father said he'd take his life, if married we would be, 
False oaths my cruel father swore, and sent my dear away, 
I'll find out the man I love I'll travel night & day 
She dressed herself like a man, her passage she did pay 
On board ship this lady went bound for America 
She advertised for young Preston, but no tidings could get there 
For New South Wales, like a man, this female did prepare. 
It was in twelve months after she arrived in New South Wales, 
Young Preston was the first she seen her carpenter by trade, 
She hired him her servant man for twenty pounds a year, 
And when she'd think of Wexford Town, she'd surely shed a tear. 
They both set out for Ireland, without the least delay, 
For seven years and six long months this couple was away, 
when they arrived at Waterford shore these words she did say 
You're welcome here my heart's delight, this is our wedding day. 
This couple they were married all in their youth and bloom, 
By the river sunny side they live nearto waxford town, 
They have a son, and lovely heir and gold for him in store, 
of her cruel parents she brought her love safe home. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. II, 164. 
944 
(B) Ballads in Which a Woman Disguises Herself 
To Follow, To Test, or To Save a Lover 
(No. 23-30) 
945 
2 3 • THE TRUE MAYDE OF THE SOUTH 
-- --- -- -- ---
The True Mayde Of The South: 
OR, A RARE EXAMPLE OF A MAIDE DWELLING AT 
RIE, IN SUSSEX, WHO, FOR THE LOVE OF A YOUNG 
MAN OF LESTER-SHIRE, WENT BEYOND THE SEA IN THE 
HABIT OF A PAGE, AND AFTER, TO THEIR HEARTS' 
CONTENT, WERE BOTH MARRYED AT MAGRUM, IN 
GERMANY, AND NOW DWELLING AT RYE AFORESAID. 
To the Tune of Come, come, my sweet and bonny one. 
With the haven towne of Rye, 
That stands in Sussex faire, 
There dwelt a maide, whose constancie 
Transcendeth all compare: 
This turtle dove 
Did dearely love 
A youth, who did appeare 
In minde and face 
To be the grace 
And pride of Lester-shire. 
This young man, with a noble peere 
Who lik't his service well, 
Went from his native Lester-shire 
In Sussex for to dwell: 
Where living, nye 
The towne of Rye, 
This pretty mayde did heare 
Of his good parts, 
Who by deserts 
Was pride of Lester-shire. 
For comming once into that towne, 
It was at first his chance 
To meet with her, whose brave renowne 
All Sussex did advance: 
And shee likewise 
In his faire eyes, 
When once she came him neere, 
Did plainely see 
That none but bee 
Was pride of Lester-shire. 
946 
Then little Cupid, God of Love, 
Began to play his part; 
And on the sudden from above 
He shot his golden dart; 
Which did constraine 
These lovers twaine 
To prize each other deare: 
Sweet Margery 
Lov'd Anthony, 
The pride of Lester-shire. 
Thus with concordant sympathy 
These lovers were combin'd; 
One lov'd the other heartily, 
Yet neither told their mind: 
She long'd to speake, 
Her minde to breake 
Unto her lover deare, 
She durst not tell, 
Though she lov'd well 
The pride of Lester-shire. 
Within short time it came to passe 
To sea the young man went, 
And left this young and pretty lasse 
In woe and discontent: 
Who wept full sore, 
And griev'd therefore, 
When truely she did heare 
That her sweet-heart, 
From her must part, 
The pride of Lester-shire. 
THE SECOND PART. 
To the same tune. 
It was his hap that time to goe 
To travell with his lord, 
Which to his heart did breed much woe, 
Yet could he not afford 
A remedy 
To 's misery, 
But needs hee must leave here 
His Madge behinde, 
Who griev'd in minde 
For the pride of Lester-shire. 
947 
She being then bereaved cleane 
Of hope, yet did invent, 
By her rare policy, a meane 
To worke her heart's content: 
In garments strange 
She straight did change 
Her selfe, rejecting feare, 
To goe with him, 
Whom she did deeme 
The pride of Lester-shire. 
And, in the habit of a page, 
She did intreat his lord 
That, being a boy of tender age, 
He would this grace afford--
That he might goe, 
Service to show 
To him both farre and neere; 
Who little thought 
What love she ought 
To the pride of Lester-shire. 
This lord did take her, as she seem'd 
To be a pretty lad, 
And for his page he her esteem'd, 
Which made her heart full glad: 
To sea went shee, 
And so did hee 
Whom shee esteem'd so deare; 
Who, for her sake, 
Great moane did make, 
And shed full many a teare. 
Thus he, poore lad, lay with his love 
Full many a tedious night; 
Yet neither of them both did proove 
A lover's true delight: 
She heard him weepe 
When he should sleepe, 
And shed forth many a teare 
For Margery, 
Who then lay by 
The pride of Lester-shire. 
Long time these lovers travelled, 
And were bed-fellowes still, 
Yet she did keepe her mayden-head 
Untill she had her will. 
Yet still unknowne 
948 
She kept her selfe, for feare; 
Yet, at the last, 
She cleaved full fast 
To the pride of Lester-shire. 
For having travelled sixe weekes 
Unknowne unto her lover, 
With rosie blushes in her cheekes 
Her minde she did discover: 
See here, quoth she, 
One that for thee 
Hath left her parents deare--
Poore Margery, 
The mayde of Rie, 
I am, behold me here! 
When Anthony did heare this word, 
His heart with joy did leape; 
He went unto his noble lord, 
To whom he did report 
This wonderfull thing, 
Which straight did bring 
Amazement to him there: 
Of such a page, 
In any age, 
Quoth he, I did not heare. 
At Magrum then, in Germany, 
Their lord did see them marryed, 
From whence unto the towne of Rye, 
In England, were they carry'd; 
Where now they dwell, 
Beloved well 
Of neighbours farre and neere; 
Sweet Margery 
Loves Anthony, 
The pride of Lester-shire. 
You mayds and young men, warning take 
By these two lovers kinde, 
Whoever you your choyce doe make, 
To them be true in minde; 
For, perfect love 
Comes from above, 
949 
As may by this appeare, 
Which came to passe 
By Sussex lasse, 
And the lad of Lester-shire. 
FINIS. 
Printed at London for Francis Coules. 
Roxburghe Ballads, Vol. I, p. 626. 
950 
24. CHILD WATERS (Child 63) 
Child Waters 
Childe Watters in his stable stoode, 
And stroaket his milke-white steede; 
To him came a ffaire young ladye 
As ere did weare womans wee[de]. 
Saies, Christ you saue, good Chyld Waters! 
Sayes, Christ you saue and see! 
My girdle of gold, which was too longe, 
Is now to short ffor mee. 
And all is with one chyld of yours, 
I ffeele sturre att my side; 
My gowne of greene, it is to strayght; 
Before it was to wide. 
If the child be mine, Faire Ellen, he sayd, 
Be mine, as you tell mee, 
Take you Cheshire and Lancashire both, 
Take them your owne to bee. 
If the child be mine, Ffaire Ellen, he said, 
Be mine, as you doe sweare, 
Take you Cheshire and Lancashire both, 
And make that child your heyre. 
Shee saies, I had rather haue one kisse, 
Child Waters, of thy mouth, 
Then I wold haue Cheshire and Lancashire both, 
That lyes by north and south. 
And I had rather haue a twinkling, 
Child Waters, of your eye, 
Then I wold haue Cheshire and Lancashire both, 
To take them mine oune to bee. 
To-morrow, Elen, I must forth ryde 
Soe ffarr into the north countrye; 
The ffairest lady that I can ffind, 
Ellen, must goe with mee. 
And euer I pray you, Child Watters, 
Your ffootpage let me bee! 
951 
If you will my ffootpage be, Ellen, 
As you doe tell itt mee, 
Then you must cutt your gownne of greene 
An inche aboue your knee. 
Soe must you doe your yellow lockes, 
Another inch aboue your eye; 
You must tell noe man what is my name; 
My ffootpage then you shall bee. 
All this long day Child Waters rode, 
Sheeran bare ffoote by his side; 
Yett was he neuer soe curteous a knight 
To say, Ellen, will you ryde? 
But all this day Child Waters rode, 
Sheeran barffoote thorow the broome; 
Yett he was neuer soe curteous a knight 
As to say, Put on your shoone. 
Ride softlye, shee said, Child Watters; 
Why doe you ryde soe ffast? 
The child which is no mans but yours 
My bodye itt will burst. 
He sayes, Sees thou yonder water, Ellen, 
That fflowes from banke to brim? 
I trust to god, Child Waters, shee said, 
You will neuer see mee swime. 
But when shee came to the waters side, 
Shee sayled to the chinne: 
Except the lord of Heauen be my speed, 
Now must I learne to swime. 
The salt waters bare vp Ellens clothes, 
Our Ladye bare vpp her chinne, 
And Child Waters was a woe man, good Lord, 
To ssee Faire Ellen swime. 
And when shee ouer the water was, 
Shee then came to his knee: 
He said, Come hither, Ffaire Ellen, 
Loe yonder what I see! 
952 
Seest thou not yonder hall, Ellen? 
Of redd gold shine the gates; 
There's four and twenty ffayre ladyes, 
The £fairest is my wordlye make. 
Seest thou not yonder hall, Ellen? 
Of redd gold shineth the tower; 
There is four and twenty £faire ladyes, 
The fairest is my paramoure. 
I doe see the hall now, Child Waters, 
That of redd gold shineth the yates; 
God giue good then of your selfe, 
And of your wordlye make! 
I doe see the hall now, Child Waters, 
That of redd gold shineth the tower; 
God giue good then of your selfe, 
And of your paramoure! 
There were four and twenty ladyes, 
Were playing att the ball, 
And Ellen, was the £fairest ladye, 
Must bring his steed to the stall. 
There were four and twenty faire ladyes 
Was playing att the chesse; 
And Ellen, shee was the £fairest ladye, 
Must bring his horsse to grasse. 
And then bespake Child Waters sister, 
And these were the words said shee: 
You haue the prettyest ffootpage, brother, 
That euer I saw with mine eye; 
But that his belly it is soe bigg, 
His girdle goes wonderous hye; 
And euer I pray you, Child Waters, 
Let him goe into the chamber with mee. 
It is more meete for a little ffootpage, 
That has run through mosse and mire, 
To take his supper vpon his knee 
And sitt downe by the kitchin fyer, 
Then to goe into the chamber with any ladye 
That weares soe [rich] attyre. 
953 
But when the had supped euery one, 
To bedd they took the way; 
He sayd, Come hither, my little footpage, 
Harken what I doe say. 
And goe thee downe into yonder towne, 
And low into the street; 
The ffairest ladye that thou can find, 
Hyer her in mine armes to sleepe, 
And take her vp in thine armes two, 
For filinge of her ffeete. 
I pray you now, good Child Waters, 
That I may creepe in att your bedds feete; 
For there is noe place about this house 
Where I may say a sleepe. 
This [night] and itt droue on affterward 
Till itt was neere the day: 
He sayd, Rise vp, my litle ffoote-page, 
And giue my steed corne and hay; 
And soe doe thou the good blacke oates, 
That he may carry me the better away. 
And vp then rose Ffaire Ellen, 
And gaue his steed corne and hay, 
And soe shee did and the good blacke oates, 
That he might carry him the better away. 
Shee layned her backe to the manger side, 
And greiuouslye did groane; 
And that beheard his mother deere, 
And heard her make her moane. 
Shee said, rise vp, thou Child Waters, 
I thinke thou art a cursed man; 
For yonder is a ghost in thy stable, 
That greiuouslye doth groane, 
Or else some woman laboures of child, 
Shee is soe woe begone. 
But vp then rose Child Waters, 
And did on his shirt of silke; 
Then he put on his other clothes 
On his body as white as milke. 
954 
• 
And when he came to the stable-dore, 
Full still that hee did stand, 
That hee might heare now Faire Ellen, 
How shee made her monand. 
Shee said, Lullabye, my owne deere child! 
Lullabye, deere child, deere! 
I wold thy father were a king, 
Thy mother layd on a beere! 
Peace now, he said, good Faire Ellen, 
And be of good cheere, I thee pray, 
And the bridall and the churching both, 
They shall bee vpon one day. 
Child, Vol. II, Pt. 1, No. 63 A (Percy Manuscript, p. 274) • 
955 
25. THE SUFFOLK COMEDY 
The Suffolk Comedy. 
In Three Parts. 
To the Tune of Phillis the Lovely. 
You young men and maidens of beauty most bright, 
Give ear to my story of live and delight, 
I know that most people will of it approve. 
It shews that some maidens are crafty in love. 
It is an old saying we often do hear, 
That maids go a courting when it is Leap-year, 
A comical courtship this proves in the end, 
Most people will smile ere my song's at an end. 
Young Cupid he ranges about now and then, 
Fair maidens are wounded as well as the men. 
For all must submit to his conquering bow, 
As now by experience you soon shall know. 
A pretty bright lady in London did dwell. 
Whose parents were dead, 'tis known very well, 
She had the possessions all in her own hands, 
Of great sort of riches and houses and lands. 
A gentleman out of the country did ride, 
And at a great milliner's shop in Cheapside 
He took up his lodgins, as I do declare, 
That many a beautiful lady came there. 
Fine gloves, and rich ribbons, and fans to buy, 
And other fine nick-nacks that pleased their eye. 
The gentleman of them did take a full view, 
And often would pass a fine compliment too. 
This beautiful lady amongst all the rest, 
She came to the milliner's shop I protest, 
And seeing this gentleman she for her part. 
This instant was wounded by Cupid's dart. 
This honoured beautiful lady by birth, 
She thought him the beautifullest creature on earth, 
Sweet was his carriage with eloquent ways, 
That he was much deserving of praise. 
When business was over this man to be plain, 
He took coach, and rid to Suffolk again; 
At which the lady was grieved full sore, 
For he was the person that she did adore. 
The fire of love it was kindled so great, 
Her heart it lay panting, and so did beat; 
So deeply was wounded, that she could not rest, 
The tortures of love so inflamed her breast. 
956 
I I 
Then said the young beautiful lady, I find 
That now I am deeply perplexed in mind; 
In love I am deeply entangled, she cry'd, 
Oh! that I could be that gentleman's bride. 
Methinks I could be much pleas'd at the choice, 
I like well his temper, and likewise his voice. 
His courteous behaviour in ev'ry degree, 
So fine, so sweet, and so pleasing to me. 
I never shall rest 'till I find out his name, 
And likewise from what place he came; 
But if I my passion to him should unfold, 
I fear he should slight me and call me too bold. 
But rather than I will quite languish and die, 
In short time I am resolved to try, 
Perhaps by policy I shall contrive 
To gain whom I fance, my heart to revive. 
PART II. 
Soon after this beautiful lady so gay, 
Then in man's apparel herself did array; 
And after this said man enquiry made, 
Because to love him her heart was betray'd. 
They told her from St. Edmund's Bury he came, 
Which is in the county of Suffolk by name. 
Disguised she rid down to Suffolk we find, 
In order to ease her poor troubled mind. 
In the town of Bury then as it is said, 
For this gentleman she enquiry made, 
In short time she found out the place where he dwelt, 
But who can express the hot flames she felt. 
This lady she went to a tavern hard by, 
But drest like a man that no one may spy 
That she was a woman thus in her disguise, 
You'll say that she acted most cunning and wise; 
She sent for this gentleman, with a design 
To come and take part of a bottle of wine, 
And soon to the tavern this gentleman came, 
To visit this stranger of honour and fame, 
This lady was like a young man to behold, 
And said, Sir, excuse me for being so bold, 
Tho' I'm a stranger no harm I do mean. 
In fair London city your face I have seen. 
The gentleman straitway replied in mirth 
You look like a person that means to cheat, 
And not like a person that's bred by birth, 
But what is your business let me entreat. 
Sir, I come from London, and hope no offence, 
To you in great business, and ere I go hence, 
The truth of this matter you soon shall know, 
This set him a longing when he talked so. 
957 
They call'd for a supper and when it was o'er, 
The gentleman said, Sir, I do you implore 
To tell me your business then in her disguise, 
She acted her business, both cunning and wise. 
Sir, I have a sister, a lady by birth, 
She is the most beautiful creature on earth; 
And she is worth hundreds and thousands a year. 
To tell you the truth, she loves you most dear. 
My sister lies languishing now for your sake, 
And therefore I hope you compassion will take, 
And slight not a captive in love so confin'd, 
Your answer I hope will be loving and kind. 
The gentleman answer'd, without more ado, 
You question me hard, but now tell me true, 
If that your faces resemble alike, 
Then I with your sister a bargain will strike. 
Dear sir, she is like me in every part. 
Why then I can love her with all my heart, 
If there is no bubble nor trick in the case, 
Your sister's kind proffer I mean to embrace. 
She said, I must ride down to Cambridge with speed; 
But since you have answer'd so kindly indeed, 
I will ride to London before you get there, 
And sir, you shall find all the matters are fair. 
PART III. 
The gentleman then betweixt hope and despair, 
His journey to London forthwith did repair; 
He found where this beautiful lady did dwell, 
Hearing her fame he was pleased well. 
The lady got home as before she had said, 
And he was admitted by her waiting maid 
To the lady's chamber; approaching the room, 
To pay her this visit he then did presume. 
Dear honoured lady excuse me, I pray, 
From St. Edmund's Bury in Suffolk by name. 
I had the good fortune your brother to see, 
And by him to you here invited to be. 
Sir, what do you mean? I'll take it on my death, 
I have ne'er a brother alive on the earth. 
This fill'd the gentleman with discontent, 
And said, that he of a fool's errand was sent. 
So taking his leave, he was going away, 
This beautiful lady she cas'd him to stay; 
And then to a supper she did him invite. 
The charms of her beauty his soul did delight. 
She said, Worthy sir, right welcome you be, 
But pray relate the whole matter to me! 
What person it was made use of my name, 
Besides to affront you he was much to blame. 
958 
Dear sir, I am sorry with all my heart 
That you should have such affront for your part. 
Then the whole story he soon did declare 
The lady $he smil'd and could not forbear. 
He had but small stomach to eat at the first, 
Her kind entertainment soon made him mistrust, 
That it was some juggle; the matter to prove 
He greeted the lady with proffers of love, 
She said, I could fancy you, had you not red hair. 
Dear madam, you wrong me, I solemnly swear. 
With that he pluck'd off his fine wig, and threw jown, 
Saying, Madam my hair it is a dark brown 
The lady burst out in a laughter, and said, 
Your wig will just fit me as I am a maid. 
Her dress she pull'd off, and his wig she put on 
Saying, Sir, do I look like a handsome young man. 
The gentleman's heart then began to rejoice, 
Saying, that is the face and sweet pretty voice 
That I saw at Bury, therefore be not coy, 
For now I am crown'd with raptures of joy. 
Why, sir, are you sure on't, perhaps you mistake. 
No, madam, I do not, my oath I can take. 
Then how do you like me, sir, tell unto me, 
Sweet honoured lady, right happy I be. 
Excuse then a lady, sir, I you intreat, 
For I'm a poor captive who lies at your feet, 
I now crave your pardon for being so rude, 
On such a kind gentleman thus to intrude. 
Tis true, sir, I want not for silver nor gold, 
I hope you'll excuse me for being so bold. 
For love is a witchcraft, none can it withstand, 
When little brisk Cupid gets the upper hand. 
Dear lady, your love makes amends for it all, 
And therefore in right happy splendor we shall 
Be crowned with comfort when we are both ty'd, 
And I shall be blest with a beautiful bride. 
At Bow Church in London soon married they were, 
Attended with gentlemen and ladies fair, 
They rode down to Bury, and as many say, 
Great feasting lasted for many a day. 
Printed and sold at the Printing-Office in Bow-Church-Yard. 
Harvard, Uncat. BSS, Box IV 
959 
26. ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN (Child 150) 
A Famous Battle between Robin Hood and Maid Marian declaring their 
Love, Life, and Liberty. 
Tune, Robin Hood Reviv'd. 
A bonny fine maid of a noble degree, 
With a hey down down a down down 
Maid Marian calld by name, 
Did live in the North, of excellent worth, 
For she was a gallant dame. 
For favour and face, and beauty most rare, 
Queen Hellen shee did excell; 
For Maian then was praisd of all men 
That did in the country dwell. 
'Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore, 
Whose beauty was clear and bright, 
That could surpass this country lass, 
Beloved of lord and knight. 
The Earl of Huntington, nobly born, 
That came of noble blood, 
To Marian went, with a good intent, 
By the name of Robin Hood. 
With kisses sweet their red lips meet, 
Forshee and the earl did agree; 
In every place, they kindly imbrace, 
With love and sweet unity. 
But fortune bearing these lovers a spight, 
That soon they were forced to part, 
To the marry green wood then went Robin Hood, 
With a sad and sorrowfull heart. 
And Marian, poor soul, was troubled in mind, 
For the absence of her friend; 
With finger in eye, shee often did cry, 
And his person did much connnend. 
Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind, 
Shee drest her self like a page, 
And ranged the wood to find Robin Hood, 
The bravest of men in that age. 
960 
With quiver and bow, sword, Buckler, and all, 
Thus armed was Marian most bold, 
Still wandering about to find Robin out, 
Whose person was better then gold. 
But Robin Hood, hee himself had disguisd, 
And Marian was strangly attir'd, 
That they provd foes, and so fell to blowes, 
Whose vallour bold Robin admir'd. 
They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went, 
At least an hour or more, 
That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face, 
And Marian was wounded sore. 
0 hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood, 
And thou shalt be one of my string, 
To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood, 
To hear the sweet nightingall sing. 
When Marian did hear the voice of her love, 
Her self shee did quickly discover, 
And with kisses sweet she did him greet, 
Like to a most loyal! lover. 
When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see, 
Good lord, what clipping was there! 
With kind imbraces, and jobbing of faces, 
Providing of gallant cheer. 
For Little John took his bow in his hand, 
And wandring in the wood, 
To kill the deer, and make good chear, 
For Marian and Robin Hood. 
A stately banquet the(y) had full soon, 
All in a shaded bower, 
Where venison sweet they had to eat, 
And were merry that present hour. 
Great flaggons of wine were set on the board, 
And merrily they drunk round 
Their boules of sack, to strengthen the back, 
Whilst their knees did touch the ground. 
961 
First Robin Hood began a health 
To Marian his onely dear, 
And his yeomen all, both comly and tall, 
Did quickly bring up the rear. 
For in a brave veine they tost off the(ir) bouls, 
Whilst thus they did remain, 
And every cup, as they drunk up, 
They filled with speed again. 
At last they ended their merryment, 
And went to walk in the wood, 
Where Little John and Maid Marian 
Attended on bold Robin Hood. 
In sollid content together they livd, 
With all their yeomen gay; 
They livd by their hands, without any lands, 
And so they did many a day. 
But now to conclude, an end I will make 
In time, as I think it good, 
For the people that dwell in the North can tell 
Of Marian and bold Robin Hood. 
, . Child, Vol. III, Pt. 1, No. 150; Wood BS, 401, leaf 21 b. 
962 
2 7 • NORTHERN KNIGHT'S GARLAND 
Northern Knight's Garland. 
Shewing, How a Northern Lord sold his beautiful 
Daughter to a Knight, for her Weight in Gold, 
Which was borrowed of a Jew.--How the Knight 
fled from the Jew to the German Court, where 
he was kindly received.--How a Dutch Lord 
betray'd him to the Jew, from whom he was 
delivered by his Lady in Man's Apparel.--How 
the Northern Lord came to have the Knight exe-
cuted for the supposed Murder of his Daughter, who, 
under the Name of the Green Knight, freed him 
from Death, and discovered herself to them. 
A Northern lord of high renown, Two daughters had, the eldest brown, 
The youngest beautiful and fair, A noble knight by chance came there. 
The said, kind sir I have Two daughters dear, which do you crave? 
She that is beautiful he cry'd. The noble lord he then reply'd, 
She is charming beautiful and gay, And is not to be given away, 
But as rich treasure bought and sold, And shall fetch her weight in 
gold 
The price I think you need not grudge, For I declare to give as much 
With her own sister, if I can Find out a loving nobleman. 
With that reply'd the noble knight, 
I'd rather have that beauty bright, At your own price, renowned lord, 
Then th' other with a large reward. 
The bargain thus it soon was made, But e'er the sum it could be paid, 
he borrow'd of a wealthy Jew, The sum so large, and writings drew, 
That if he fail'd, or miss'd his day, 
Then equal ounces he should pay, Of his own flesh, instead of gold 
As was agreed, the sum was told. 
Then he return'd inunediately To the great Lord, where he did buy 
His daughter beautiful and fair, And paid him down the money there. 
He bought her, therefore'tis well known To all mankind she was his 
own. 
With whom a son he did enjoy, A sweet and pleasant sprightly boy. 
At length the time of pay drew near, And therefore he began to fear 
The torments of the cruel Jew, Because the money it was due. 
And since the same he could not pay, He just as many ounces pay 
Of his dear flesh, pick'd from his bones. This made him sigh with 
bitter groans. 
His lady ask'd him why he griev'd: He said, dear jewel I receiv'd 
The sum of money from a Jew, With which I bought and purchased you. 
963 
Now the time of payment's come; And since I cannot raise the sum, 
He'll have my flesh, love, weight for weight, Which makes my grief and 
sorrow great. 
Tu never fear him, she reply'd, We'll cross the raging ocean wide. 
So to lure him from that fate, To her request he yielded strait. 
Then having cross'd the raging seas, They travell'd on, till by 
degrees 
Unto the German court they came, The knight, his son, and beauteous 
dame. 
And the emperor he told The story of the Sum of gold 
Which he had borrow'd of the Jew, And how for fear of death he flew. 
The emperor he did erect A court for them, and shew'd respect 
To his new guests, because they came from Britain, that blest isle 
of fame. 
While here they liv'd in much delight, A Dutch lord told this noble 
knight, 
That he a sum of gold would lay, That he laid with his lady gay. 
From her this Dutch lord was to bring A rich and costly diamond ring, 
Which was to prove and testify, That he did with his lady lie. 
He try'd but could not once obtain Her favour, but with high disdain 
She did repulse his base attempt With that unto her maid he went. 
And told her if she would but steal Her lady's ring and so conceal 
The same and bring him strait, She should enjoy a large estate. 
In hopes of such a great reward, She stole the ring. Then the Dutch 
lord 
Did bring it to the noble knight, Who almost swooned at the sight. 
Home he ran to his lady strait, Whom meeting at the palace gate 
He threw her headlong down the moat, And left her there to sink or 
float. 
As down the stream she floating pass'd, A miller catch'd her up at 
last, 
Saving her and her jewels too, Which was morethan her husband knew. 
Soon after this, in cloaths of green, Like to a warlikeknight she's 
seen 
Compleatly mounted on a steed, And to the court she rid with speed. 
Now when the emperor beheld Her brave deportment, he was fill'd 
With admiration at the sight She call'd herself an English Knight. 
The emperor did then reply, An English knight is now to die, 
For drowning of his lady gay. Quoth she, I'd see him if I may. 
It soon was granted, and she came, And calling of him by his name, 
She said, kind sir, be of good cheer, Your friend I'l be, you need 
not fear 
She to the emperor did ride, And said, pray let the cause be tried 
Once more, for I'm in hop-s to save This English gallant from the 
grave. 
'Twas granted, and the court being set The Dutch lord came, & seem'd 
to sweat 
About the ring, for he did fear The truth would make his shame appear. 
964 
Indeed it did, for soon they call The maid, who on her knees did fall 
Before the court, and did confess, The Dutch lord's base unworthiness. 
He hired me to steal a ring, Which he did to my master bring, 
And said he had it from his wife, Which is the cause of all this 
strife. 
The court reply'd, and is it so, The lady too, for all we know, 
May be alive, therefore we'll stay His sentence to another day. 
The Dutch lord gave to him the ton Of gold, which he had fairly won: 
And so he did in shame and grief, And thus the knight obtain'd relief. 
The Dutch lord to revenge the spight Upon the noble English knight, 
Did send a letter out of hand, That so the Jew might understand, 
That he was in the German court. Therefore upon this true report, 
The Jew he crossed the ocean wide, Resolving to be satisfy'd. 
So soon as e'er he fix'd his eyes Upon the noble knight, he cries, 
Now I your face once more behold, Your flesh I'll have instead of 
gold. 
Then said the noble knight in green, May not the articles be seen? 
Yes that they may, reply'd the Jew, And I resolve to have my due. 
The knight in green began to read, At length he said, I find indeed, 
You nothing else but flesh must have. The Jew reply'd, I'l want I 
crave. 
Then said the noble emperor, Pray let me see it, noble sir; Who did 
this bloody bond contrive To cut him into flakes alive. 
The poor distressed knight was brought, The bloody-minded Jew he 
thought 
To be revenged then of him, And part the flesh from every limb, 
Then said the noble knight in green, Jew, is thy knife both sharp and 
keen. 
Yes 'tis, he said, you need not fear, His arms and legs of flesh I'll 
clear 
The knight in green said, Mr. Jew, There's nothing else but flesh 
your due; 
Then see no drop of blood you shed, For if you do, off goes your head: 
Your due now take with all out heart, But with his blood we will not 
part 
With that the Jew he sneak'd away, And had not one more word to say. 
The knight in green got great apulause, In that he made him quit the 
1 cause 
By telling him what would ensue, :If any drops of blood he drew. 
No sooner were these troubles pa~t, But his wife's father came at last 
Resolving for to have his life, ~or drowning his beloved wife. 
Over the seas her father brought :Many fine horses; one was bought 
By this pretended knight in gree~, The very best that ever was seen. 
Then to the German court he came, Declaring such an one by name, 
Had drowned his fair daughter dear, And ought to die a death severe. 
965 
They brought him from his prison then Guarded by many armed men, 
Unto the place where he must die, The knight in green was standing by. 
Then from her side her sword she drew, And run her gelding thro' and 
thro' 
Her father said, why do you so? I may; it is my own you know. 
You sold this gelding; its well-known I bought it, making it my own, 
And may do what I please with it. To what she said he did submit. 
Here is a man arraign'd and cast, And brought to suffer death at last, 
Because your daughter dear he slew: Perhaps he did, what's that to 
you? 
You took his money, when you sold, Your daughter for her weight in 
gold; 
Therefore he might, it is well known, Do what he pleased with what's 
his own 
The noble lord her father there When he these arguments did hear, 
Forgave him then inunediately, Declaring that he should not die. 
Then having chang'd her garments green, And drest herself like a 
fair queen, 
Her father and her husband strait Both knew her, and their joy was 
great. 
Soon they did carry the report, Thro' all the famous German court, 
How the renowned English knight, Had found his charming beauty 
bright. 
The emperor and lords of fame, With cheerful hearts they did proclaim 
An universal joy, to see This lady's Life and liberty. 
Sold by S. Gamidge, in Worcester 
University of Kentucky, Vol. VI, 76 
966 
2 8 • THE VIRTUOUS WIFE OF BRISTOL 
The Virtuous Wife of Bristol. 
Come all you husbands lude and wild that after wanton love do stray 
Be kind unto your loveing wifes and a warning take by this I pray 
In Bristol city late did dwell a lady bless'd with beauty bright 
She marry'd to a merchant man, in whom she plac'd her whole delight 
Ten thousand pounds her fortune was but little time she had been wed 
but by a wicked harlot bold he was deluded from her bed; 
Whole nights he from his wife did go she in his absence made great 
moan 
And said, I am unfortunate the man I love is from me flown 
He for his wanton harlot did a gilded coach then strait provide 
cloathed in robes of silver bright with footmen running by her side 
While the distressed lady she was robbed of her worldly store; 
Because the worst of husbands he to her great grief did then addmore 
He made his gold and silver fly, his wanton Mistress to maintain; 
And when his substance he had spent home to his wife he'd go again. 
He plunder'd her both night and day his wanton pleasures to fulfill 
For all her arguments were vain. When she found he would have his 
will 
She said, my dear and hearts delight Ah! what have I done to thee, 
That you forsake my beauty bright for a wanton harlots company 
My fortune great wich I did bring on her you daily do bestow, 
You soon will come to poverty if in this course of life you go, 
He said, your words are all in vain I can no more adore your charms 
She is the Phoenix of the world, I have no rest but when she's in 
my arms. 
Go wicked man most unkind, in lawless love to spend your time 
You ne'er will find a heart so true, as you have found this heart 
of mine. 
When all your gold and silver store is gone, you'll little comfort 
find 
A Harlot's love is like the wind some other spark she will admire, 
That can maintain her fine and gay; your darling creature you will 
see, 
Before your face the wanton play Three Hundred pounds he then did 
take 
From her, with richest Jewels bright: while chrystal tears bedew'd 
her cheeks, 
She patiently bid him good night. 
He to his wanton Mistress goes, and shew'd to her the golden store. 
She said, now stay with me my dear when that is gone then get some 
more. 
967 
His lady to her parents went; and told to them her wretched case. 
Who kindly took there daughter home, that he her substance should 
not waste. 
But she no rest at all could take her husband still run in her mind; 
Resolving now some pranks to play if she could make him prove more 
kind 
Five hundred Guineas bright she took and from her fathers house did 
stray 
Her female dress she quite forsook and cloathed herself in man's 
array 
Her dress her person did disguise; so much that no one did her know; 
Rich scarlet overlaid with gold she appeared like a gallant beau. 
She to the place away did go, where with his mistress he did dwell; 
and in the house a lodging took, wich being stated to her will, 
She for a wealthy merchant went, he soon with her acquainted were; 
He often kept her company, but little dream'd his love was there. 
He more and more did take delight in the young merchants company 
His harlot thinking her a man, on him did fix her wanton eye. 
Seeing that he had riches store, resolves her golden bait to lay; 
Her former love she bids adieu, because his riches did decay. 
The disguised lady seeing this did oft frequent her company; 
And to this strumpet soon made love, who told her, if she would deny 
The spark wich her companion were, and yield your charms he said to 
me; 
In robes of gold I'll cloath my girl, like a lady of high degree. 
She then put on her coldest looks of high disdain upon her dear, 
His pocket being poor and low she said, ' tis time for to take care 
She said, your whole estate is gone you say our wife you cannot find 
You're like to poverty to fall, 'Tis time for me my self to mind. 
I must be kept in rich array go get your money where you can; 
Or else you may be sure that I shall soon incline to other men. 
He said, my joy and hearts delight, some hundreds I have spent on 
thee; 
And I forsook my charming bride. Don't scorn me in my poverty. 
What would you have me do, she cry'd! Pray do not weary out my life 
The only friend you can go to, I truly think it is your wife. 
From him she in a passion flew, saying, I beg come here no more; 
This made him think up on his wife. Saying nothing is baser then a 
whore. 
My marriage vows I lately broke, I slighted her who did me adore: 
I wrong'd my wife and babies dear. Now heaven scourges me therefore 
Then he did wander up and down but know not where to find his wife: 
His friends forsook his company, being weary of his wretched life, 
He once more to his mistress goes, and there before his eyes he see, 
The youthful merchant and his dear she said to him, scornfully 
Why do you follow me she said you'll soon be in a tatter'd dress. 
968 
This is yr man that I admire. Then rose and gave her spark a kiss, 
The female merchant in disguise, your suit you must now cast aside 
For now within a day or two I intend to make this girl my bride. 
But if to morrow you will come a bargain with you I will make; 
The writings I'll have fairly drawn that you her company forsake. 
And since that you are in distress the things that you to her have 
gave 
Your jewels, rings, and costly cloaths I do intend that you shall 
have. 
A Chariot then of shining gold, six steeds that are whiter then snow, 
I do intend to buy this girl for to draw her beauty to and fro 
She shall be deck'd in diamonds bright the richest from the Indian 
shore 
I will bestow upon my dear, she shall return to you your store. 
The strumpet she did soon agree. To part with all her treasure 
bright 
And said we'll not stay another day for the writings shall be drawn 
to night 
This pleas'd the lady in disguise, than for a lawyer they did send. 
And madam fetch'd down all her things thinking she'd got a better 
friend. 
Rich costly rings, and jewels bright down on the table she did lay 
And Cloaths of fine brocaded silk wich from his wife he'd took away, 
She said, now take away your geer, let me be plag'd with it no more; 
This man besure did love me well, when he entic'd me for his whore. 
The virtuous wife at this did smile, but gallants come now lend an 
ear 
Thus cunningly she did beguile she that her husband did ensnare: 
The writings being fairly drawn he takes up all the golden store, 
He said, I'll seek my virtuous wife you are welcome Sir to wed my 
whore 
Base villain Madam did say; and at this face like fury flew 
I soon shall be a merchants wife, and no more will be a whore to you 
Then said his wife, were will you go? Now you have got some riches 
store; 
He said to seek my virtuous wife and for ever will her adore, 
Then to the strumpet's great surprize into her husband's arms she 
flew 
Saying now sorrow's at an end, here is your wife that still is true 
I am your dear and loving wife disguised thus to follow thee; 
I hope your eyes are open'd clear now see a harlots treachery, 
He clasp'd his arms around her waist crying now my dear your face I 
know 
The whore cry'd out I'll have my Cloaths but his sweet wife answered 
no. 
969 
These things you know are mine I'll leave you ragged, poor and bare 
And you shall partake you Jade, of the fate you have my husband 
shar'd 
A Constable was straitway call'd to bridewell Madam she was sent 
then with his loving wife went home, and now they live in sweet 
content 
And thus the merchant lady lies bewailing her most woful case 
All marry'd men adore your wifes lest strumpets bring you to 
disgrace. 
Harvard, 25252.8, p. 31, "Elizabeth Williams.Her Book.1745" 
970 
29. THE GOLDEN GLOVE (N-20) 
The Golden Glove. 
Printed by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 
Dials. Battledores, Primers, &c. sold very 
cheap. 
A wealthy young squire of Tamworth we hear 
He courted a nobleman's daughter so fair, 
And for to marry her it was his intent, 
All friends and relations gave their consent. 
The time was appointed for the wedding day, 
A young farmer was appointed to give her away 
As soon as the farmer the young lady did spy, 
He inflamed her heart, 0 my heart she did cry, 
She turn'd from the squire but nothing she said 
Instead of being married she took to her bed, 
The thoughts of the farmer so run in her mind 
A way for to have him she quickly did find, 
Coat waistcoat & trowsers she then did put on, 
And a hunting she went with her dog & her gun. 
She hunted all round where the farmer did dwell 
Because in her heart she did love him full well, 
She oftentimes fired, but nothing she kill'd, 
At length the young farmer came into the field, 
And to discourse with him it was her intent, 
With her dog and her gun to meet him she went 
I thought you had been at the wedding she cry'd 
To wait on the squire, and give him his bride; 
No sir said the farmer, I'll take sword in hand, 
By honour I'll gain her whenever she commands 
It pleased the lady to find him so bold 
She gave him a glove that was flower'd with gold; 
And told him she found it when coming alon 
As she was a hunting with her dog & her gun 
The lady went home with a heart full of love, 
And gave out a notice that she'd lost a glove, 
And the man that found it & brought it to me 
The man that did bringit her husband shouldbe 
The farmer was pleased when heard of the news, 
With a heart full of love to the lady he goes 
Dear honoured lady I have pick'd up a glove, 
971 
And hope you will be pleased to grant me your love. 
It is already granted I will be your bride, 
I love the sweetbreath of a farmer she cried, 
I'll be mistress of my dairy & milking my cows 
While my jolly farmer is whistling at plough. 
And when she was married she told of her fun 
How she went a hunting with her dog & gun 
(But) now I have got him fast in a snare 
enjoy him for ever, I vow and declare. 
University of Kentucky, Vol. V, 22. 
972 
30. THE FEMALE HIGHWAYMAN (N-21) 
Sylvia's Request, And William's Denial. 
Fair Sylvia on a certain day, 
Drest herself in man's array; 
With a brace of pistols by her side, 
To meet her true love away did ride. 
She met her true love on the plain, 
And boldly bid him for to stand; 
Stand and deliver kind sir I crave. 
Or else this moment your life I'll have. 
When she had got his watch and store, 
She said kind sir there's one thing more 
There's a diamond ring I saw you have 
Deliver that, your life I'll save. 
My diamond ring a token was 
My life I'll lose but that I'll keep, 
Being tender hearted like a dove, 
She rode away from her true love. 
One day this couple they were seen, 
Like two lovers in a garden green, 
He spied his watch hang on her clothes, 
Which made him blush like any rose. 
What makes you blush at such a silly thing, 
I fain would have had your diamond ring, 
For 'twas I that robb'd you on the plain, 
So take your watch and gold again. 
How could you venture such a plot, 
If you had fired your pistol shot; 
You must have suffered innocent, 
And I in grief then should repent. 
I only did it for to know, 
Whether you were a true lover or no; 
But now I've a contented mind, 
My heart and all, my dear are thine. 
The match was made without delay, 
And soon they fix'd the wedding day; 
And now they live in joy and content, 
In happiness their days are spent. 
Harvard, 25242.27, p. 319 
973 
(C) Miscellaneous Ballads Involving 
Women Disguised as Men 
(No. 31-37) 
974 
• 
31. THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF SERVING-MEN (Child 106) 
The Famous Flower Of Serving-Men; 
Or, The Lady Turn'd Serving Man. 
You beauteous ladies, great and small, 
I write unto you one and all, 
Whereby that you may understand 
What I have suffer'd in this land. 
I was by birth a lady fair, 
My father's chief and only heir; 
But when my good old father died, 
Then was I made a young knight's bride. 
And then my love built me a bower 
Bedeck'd with many a fragrant flower; 
A braver bower you ne'er did see 
Than my true love did build for me. 
But there come thieves late in the night, 
Who robb'd my bower and slew my knight, 
And after that my knight was slain, 
I could no longer there remain. 
My servents all did from me fly 
In the midst of my extremity, 
And left me by myself alone, 
With heart more cold than any stone. 
Yet though my heart was full of care, 
Heaven would not suffer me to despair, 
Therefore in haste I chang'd my name, 
From Fair Elise to Sweet William: 
And therewithall I cut my hair, 
And drest myself in man's attire, 
My doublet, hose, and beaver hat, 
And a golden band about my neck, 
With a silver rapier by my side; 
So like a gallant I did ride: 
The thing I did delight upon, 
It was to be a serving-man. 
Thus in my sumptuous man's array, 
I bravely rode along the way; 
And at the last it chanced so 
That I to the King's court did go: 
Then to the King I bow'd full low, 
My love and duty for to show; 
And so much favour I did crave, 
That I a serving man's place might have. 
975 
Stand up, brave youth, the King reply'd, 
Thy service shall be not be deny'd; 
But tell me first what thou canst do, 
Thou shalt be fitted thereunto. 
Wilt thou be usher of my hall, 
To wait upon my nobles all? 
Or wilt thou be taster of my wine, 
To wait upon me when I dine? 
Or wilt thou be my chamberlain, 
To make my bed both soft and fine? 
Or wilt thou be one of my guard, 
And I will give thee thy reward. 
Sweet William, with a smiling face. 
Said to the King, If it please your grace 
To show such favour unto me, 
Your chamberlain I fain would be. 
The King did then his nobles call, 
To ask the counsel of them all; 
Who gave consent Sweet William he 
The King's own chamberlain should be. 
Now mark what strange things came to pass, 
As the King one day hunting was 
With all his lords and noble train, 
Sweet William did alone remain. 
Sweet William had no company then 
With him at home, but an old man; 
And when he saw the house was clear, 
He took a lute which he had there: 
Upon the lute Sweet William play'd, 
And to the same he sung and said, 
With a sweet and noble voice, 
Which made the old man to rejoice. 
My father was as brave a lord 
As ever Europe did afford, 
My mother was a lady bright, 
My husband was a valiant knight, 
And I myself a lady gay, 
Bedeck'd with gorgeous rich array; 
The bravest lady in the land 
Had not more pleasure at command. 
I had my music every day, 
Harmonious lessons for to play; 
I had my virgins fair and free, 
Continually to wait on me. 
But now alas! my husband's dead, 
And all my friends are from me fled, 
My former joys are past and gone; 
For I am now a serving-man. 
976 
At last the King from hunting came, 
And presently upon the same 
He called for this good old man, 
And thus to speak the King began. 
What news, what news, old man! quoth he, 
What news hast thou to tell to me? 
Brave news! the old man he did say, 
Sweet William is a lady gay. 
If this be true thou tellest me, 
I'll make thee a lord of high degree; 
But if thy words do prove a lye, 
Thou shalt be hang'd up presently. 
But when the King the truth had found, 
His joys did more and more abound; 
According as the old man did say, 
Sweet William prov'd a lady gay. 
Therefore the King, without delay, 
Put on her glorious rich array, 
And on her head a crown of gold, 
Which was most glorious to behold. 
And then, for fear of further strife, 
He took Sweet William for his wife: 
The like before was never seen, 
A Serving-man became a Queen. 
Printed and sold by J. Butler, in High-Street, Worcester. Sold 
also by G. Lewis, in Broad Street, Worcester; and by S. Hazell, in 
Bolt Lane, Glocester. 
0 
Yale/Beinecke, BS BY6 4 1705 
977 
., 
• 
3 2 • THE FEMALE DUEL 
An Excellent New Song, Call'd The Female Duel; 
Or The Victorious Williamite Lady. Who Was 
Challeng'd To Fight A Duel By A Jacobite Lady. 
Tune of, If Love's a Sweet Passion. 
In Yorkshire late happened a desperate fight, 
'Tween a Jacobite Lady and a Williamite, 
'Twas fought with such courage no men could do more, 
Nor the like was nere known 'tween two women before, 
For each met in the field with her sword by her side, 
Resolving the same should their quarrel decide. 
'Twas after this manner the fray did begin, 
At a Knights in Yorkshire at a merry-making, 
There many fair ladies and gentlemen din'd, 
When dinner was over then round went the wind, 
By that time each drank for their shear a whole quart, 
Then a bumper round (for health) at a draught. 
Says the Jacobite lady, Drink a health to the King, 
Says the Williamite lady, that health I'll begin, 
In the field he's a monarch that's valiant and brave, 
And does venture his life these three kingdoms to save, 
Come Madam, success to King William I say, 
And to all his brave forces by land and by sea. 
The Jacobite lady being put to a stand, 
Immediately struck glass and wine from her hand, 
And called her rebellious Heretick too, 
Then took up a bottle to give her a blow; 
But some there did hinder her furious design, 
And fain would persuade her to friendship that time • 
But nothing her passion that time could asswage, 
She rise up in a fury, went away in a rage; 
Next Morning she sent her a letter with speed; 
When the Williamite Lady the same once did read, 
She found she was challeng'd, a sword she must bring, 
And fight her, for drinking a health to the King • 
978 
The Williamite lady not daunted in mind, 
But answer did send, she would meet at the time; 
A suit of her brother's this lady put on 
With a sword by her side too she marched along, 
To meet her bold challenger fairly to fight, 
For she said she'd not fear any she-Jacobite. 
You are for King William, the Jacobite cry'd; 
I am so, and will be while I live, she reply'd: 
Then you and I must have a tryal of skill; 
You see I am prepared to kill, or be kill'd. 
Then bravely they thrust at each other I say, 
But the Jacobite lady was forc'd to give way. 
Their glittering swords they did heartily push, 
Till the Jacobite lady fell into a bush. 
A man who did spie them came running in hast, 
And held, as he thought, a young man by the wast, 
Till the lady who fell, and lay bleeding, did cry, 
I am wounded, come help me, or else I shall dye. 
Her hat and wigg falling off made them to be known, 
Or else they had gone for two young men unknown; 
But when I found out who these young women were, 
They beg'd I would not their strange quarrel declare; 
And had not one's Brother come just as he did, 
This secret for me should for ever been hid. 
Printed and sold by P. Pelcomb. 
FINIS. 
Fawcett, Broadside Ballads of The Restoration Period, pp. 136-137. 
979 
.. 
3 3 • CHEAT UPON CHEAT 
Cheat Upon Cheat, Or, The Debaucht Hypocrite. 
Being a True Account of two Maidens, who 
lived in London near Fish-street, the one 
being named Susan, the other Sarah, Susan, 
being dressed in Mans Apparel, Courted Sarah, to 
the Great Trouble of the deceived Damsel, who 
thought to be pleasur'd by her Bridals Nights Lodging 
as you may find by the sequel. 
When Maidens come to Love and Dote. Against their wills they needs 
must shew't 
And want the use of man, Let them do what they can. 
To the Tune of, Tender hearts of London City. 
Come and hear the strangest Story, Ever Fortune lay'd before ye, 
Of a wedding strange but true, For such a one was neverknown, 
as I will now declare to you. 
There was two maids in London-City, One was wanton 'tether witty; 
Sue and Sarah were their Names, It doth appear they married were 
and Sarah tasted Cupids flames. 
A Gentleman that lived nigh 'um, had a mighty mind to try 'um, 
and this Susan did ingage, That she would go and Court her so, 
that she her passion might asswage. 
Disguis'd went she, and fell to wooing Sarah she would needs be doing, 
for she quickly gave consent, They soon agreed to match with speed, 
but now poor Sarah doth lament. 
Susan strangely was disguised, Sarahs heart was soon surprized, 
so that she did condescend, She ne'r deny'd to be a Bride, 
but her young Lover did commend. 
While her joys were thus compleated, Sarah was extreamly cheated, 
which did make her vitals fail, To bed they went with joynt consent, 
and she found a Cat without a Taile. 
Now is Sarah much concerned, But by this some wit she Learned, 
though she for it paid full dear, For from her eyes with fresh 
supplies, 
down trickles many a brackish tear. 
Sarah thought love her befriended, Now but mark what this attended, 
and twill make you much admire, That Susan she, so arch should be, 
to let poor Sarahs heart on fire. 
With Sword & Wigg was Susan dressed Sarah thought that she was blessed 
with a Gallant none more fair, But pitty 'twas, a wanton Lass, 
should be so much mistaken there. 
980 
Now is Sarah discontented, her misfortune much lamented, 
Maidens then pray have a care, Lest Susan comes with Sugar plums, 
to bring poor damsels into a snare. 
Quoth Sarah why would you abuse one, Whom you lov'd deceitful Susan, 
why would you me thus betray, Oh then quoth she, 'twas jollitry, 
that made me thus the antick play. 
Let no one know how you miscary'd, how mistaken when you marry'd, 
for twill make the world to laugh, You walkt your round, & then you 
found 
a Constable without a Staff. 
Wonder not why this I write you, To be merry I invite you, 
and to none I harm do think, Let Sarah grieve, Sue did deceive, 
which made poor Sarahs heart to sink. 
To all Maids let this be a warning, All are wise that still are 
learning 
Beauty is a meer decoy, Then have a care, least Cupids snare, 
do make you curse the blinking Boy. 
Printed for, I. Blare, at the Looking-Glass in the New-Buildings 
on London-Bridge. 
Harvard, 25242.68-pEB-B65H, Vol. I, BS 28 r 
981 
You 
The 
She 
She 
She 
34. THE FEMALE HIGHWAY HECTOR 
The Female Highway Hector: 
Or, An Account Of A Woman, Who Was 
Lately Arraign'd For Robbing On The High-Way 
In Man's Apparel: Containing, A Relation 
Of Several Noted Exploits Which She Perform'd 
In That Bold Undertaking. 
To an excellent new Tune called The Rant. 
Gallants of every Station, give ear to a frolicksome Song; 
like was ne'er seen in the Nation, 'twas done by a Female so young 
bought her a Mare and a bridle, a Saddle, and Pistols also, 
resolved she would not be idle, for upon the Pad she did go. 
Cloathed her self in great Splendor, for Breeches and Sword she 
Her Body 
And then 
She left 
appear'd very slender; she show'd like a 
like a Padder so witty, she mounted with 
all her friends in the City, and steered 
had on, 
pretty Young-man. 
speed on her Mare; 
her Course towards 
Ware. 
The first that she met was a Grocer was walking with Cane in his hand, 
The soon to the Spark came up closer, and boldly she bid him to stand. 
She took from him but a Guinea, and then met a Taylor with Shears, 
And because the poor Rouge had no Money, she Genteely clipt of his 
Ears. 
The next that she met was a Tanner for loss of his money he cry'd, 
And because he bauld in this manner, she handsomely tanned his hide. 
She rode about seven miles farther, and then a Stage-Coach she did 
Rob; 
The Passingers all cry'd out Murther: but this was a Fifty-pound Jobb. 
And then she robb'd a Welsh Miller, she fac'd him and gave him the 
Word: 
but splutter'd and swore hur would kill her, if that hur had got but 
her Sword. 
And then she came up with a Quaker, she told him, she must have his 
Coin: 
Quoth he, Tou silly Wise-acre thou shalt have no Money of mine. 
She show'd him a Pistol to prove him; he told her by Yea and by Nay, 
That since the good Spirit did move him, she might take his money 
away. 
An Excise-man, she then next accosted and bid him Deliver with speed; 
He often of Valour had boasted, but he was a Coward indeed. 
982 
She Rifled him then of his Money; oh! this was a very rich Prize. 
She took from him four-score Guineys, which he had receiv'd for 
Excise. 
The next that she met was a Padder, well mounted upon a bay Nag; 
Oh! this made her for much the gladder, she told him she wanted a 
bag. 
He thought she would certainly fight him, prepared himself out of 
hand: 
And she was resolved to fright him, She damn'd him, and bid him to 
stand. 
He presently drew out his Rapier and bid her to stand on her guard; 
But quickly away she did Caper. The highway man, follo'd her hard. 
He follow'd and soon overtook her, and searched her Breeches with 
speed; 
And as he did well over look her, he found her a woman indeed! 
The highway man stood all amazed; but she had no cause to complain. 
Tho' with her he did what he pleased, he gave her the Money again. 
Printed for C. Bates at the White hart in West Smithfield. 
Harvard, 25242.68-pEB-B65H, Vol. I, BS 103 r 
983 
To 
35. THE CRUEL MOTHER (Child 20) 
The Duke's Daughter's Cruelty: Or 
The Wonderful Apparition Of Two Infants 
Whom She Murther'd And Buried In A Forrest, 
For To Hide Her Shame. 
an excellent new Tune. Licensed according to Order. 
There was a Duke's Daughter lived in York, 
Come bend and bear away the Bows of Yew 
So secretly she loved her Father's Clark, 
Gentle Hearts be to me true. 
She lov'd him long and many a day, 
Come bend, &c. 
Till big with Child she went away, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She went into the wide Wilderness, 
Come bend, &c. 
Poor she was to be pitied for her heaviness, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She leant her back against a Tree, 
Come bend, &c. 
And there she endur'd much misery, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She leant her back against an Oak, 
Come bend, &c. 
With bitter sighs these words she spoke. 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She set her foot against a Thorne 
Come bend, &c. 
And there she had two pritty Babes born, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She took her filliting off her head, 
Come bend, &c. 
And then she ty'd them hand and leg, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
984 
She had a penknife long and sharp, 
Come bend, &c. 
And there she stuck them to the heart 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She dug a Grave, it was long and deep, 
Come bend, &c. 
And there she laid them into sleep 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
The coldest Earth it was their Bed, 
Come bend, &c. 
The green Grass was their Coverlid, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She cut her hair and changed her Name 
Come bend, &c. 
From Fair Elinor to Sweet William 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
As she was gowing by her Father's hall, 
Come bend, &c. 
She see three Children aplaying at ball, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
One was drest in Scarlet fine, 
Come bend, &c. 
And the other as naked as e're they was born, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
0 Mother, 0 Mother, if these Children was mine, 
Come bend, &c. 
I would dress them Scarlet fine, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
O Mother, O Mother, when we was thine, 
Come bend, &c. 
You did not dress us in Scarlet fine, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
You set your back against a Tree, 
Come bend, &c. 
And there you endured great misery, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
985 
You set your foot against a Thorne, 
Come bend, &c. 
And there you had us pretty Babes born 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
You took your filleting off your head, 
Come bend, &c. 
And there you bound us hand and leg, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
You had a Penknife long and sharp, 
Come bend, &c, 
And there you stuck us to the heart 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
You dug a Grave, it was long and deep 
Come bend, &c. 
And there you laid us into sleep, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
The coldest Earth it was our Bed, 
Come bend, &c. 
The green Grass was our Coverlid, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
O, Mother, O Mother, for your sin, 
Come bend, &c. 
Heaven-gate you shall not enter in. 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
0, Mother, 0 Mother, for your sin, 
Come bend, &c. 
Hell-gates stands open to let you in, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
The Lady's cheeks look'd plae and wand, 
Come bend, &c. 
Alas! said she, What have I done? 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
She tore her silken locks of hair, 
Come bend, &c. 
And dy'd away in sad despair, 
Gentle Hearts, &c. 
986 
Young Ladies, all of beauty bright, 
Come bend and bear away the Bows of Yew, 
Take warning by her last good-night 
Gentle Hearts be to me true. 
London, Printed for J. Deacon at the sign of the Angel in 
Guiltspur Street. 
Fawcett, Broadside Ballads of The Restoration Period, p. 150, No. 60. 
987 
36. THE BOYS OF WEXFORD 
The Boys of Wexford. 
Street Ballad. 
Robert Dwyer Joyce, M.D. 
Air--"The Boys of Wexford." 
In comes the captain's daughter, 
The captain of the Yeas, 
Saying, Brave United man, 
We'll ne'er again be foes. 
A thousand pounds I'll give you, 
And fly from home with thee, 
And dress myself in man's attire, 
And fight for libertie! 
We are the boys of Wexford, 
Who fought with heart and hand 
To burst in twain the galling chain, 
And free our native land! 
And when we left our cabins, boys, 
We left with right good will, 
To see our friends and neighbours 
That were at Vinegar Hill! 
A young man from our ranks, 
A cannon he let go; 
He slapt it into Lord Mountjoy--
A tyrant he laid low! 
We are the boys of Wexford, 
Who fought with heart and hand, 
To burst in twain the galling chain, 
And free our native land! 
We bravely fought and conquered 
At Ross, and Wexford town; 
And, if we failed to keep them, 
'Twas drink that brought us down. 
We had no drink beside us 
On Tubber'neering's day, 
Depending on the long bright pike, 
And well it worked its way! 
We are the boys of Wexford, 
Who fought with heart and hand 
To burst in twain the galling chain, 
And free our native land! 
988 
They came into the country 
Our blood to waste and spill; 
But let them weep for Wexford, 
And think of Oulart Hill! 
'Twas drink that still betrayed us--
Of them we had no fear; 
For every man could do his part 
Like Forth and Shelmalier! 
We are the boys of Wexford, 
Who fought with heart and hand 
To burst in twain the galling chain, 
And free our native land! 
My curse upon all drinking! 
It made our hearts full sore; 
For bravery won each battle, 
But drink lost evermore; 
And, if for want of leaders, 
We lost at Vinegar Hill, 
We're ready for another fight, 
And love our country still! 
We are the boys of Wexford, 
Who fought with heart and hand 
To burst in twain the galling chain, 
And free our native land! 
Duncathail [Varian], Ballads, Popular Poetry and Household Songs 
of Ireland, p. 100. 
989 
37. THE HEROINE OF THE REVOLUTION 
The Heroine of the Revolution. 
By Philip Freneau. 
To men in power. 
Ye Congressmen and men of weight, 
Who fill the public chairs, 
And many a favour have conferr'd 
On some unknown to Mars; 
And ye, who hold the post of fame, 
The helmsmen of our great affairs, 
Afford a calm attentive ear 
To her who handled sword and spear, 
A heroine in a bold career, 
Assist a war-worn dame. 
With the same vigorous soul inspired 
As Joan of Arc, of old, 
With zeal against the Briton fired, 
Her spirit warm and bold, 
She march'd to face her country's foes 
Disguised in male attire: 
Where 'er they prowl'd through field or town, 
With steady step she follow'd on; 
Resolved the conflict to sustain, 
She met them on the hill, the plain, 
And hostile to the English reign, 
She hurl'd the blasting fire. 
Now for such generous toils undured, 
Her day of warfare done, 
In life's decline at length reward 
This faithful Amazon: 
She asks no thousands at your hands, 
Though mark'd with many a scar; 
She asks no share of Indian lands, 
Though lands you have to spare! 
But something in the wane of days 
To make her snug and keep her warm, 
A cottage and the cheery blaze, 
To shield her from the storm; 
And something to the pocket, too, 
Your bounty might afford, 
Of her, who did our foes pursue 
With bayonet, gun, and sword. 
990 
Reflect how many tender ties 
A female must undergo 
Ere to the martial camp she flies 
To meet the invading foe: 
How many bars has nature placed, 
And custom many more, 
Less slighted woman should be graced 
With trophies gain'd in war. 
All these she nobly overcame, 
And scorn'd a censuring age, 
Join'd in the ranks, her road to fame, 
Despised the Briton's rage 
And men, who, with contracted mind, 
All arrogant, condemn 
And make disgrace in womankind 
What honour is in them. 
Wm. McCarty, Songs, Odes and Other Poems, on National Subjects; 
Compiled from Various Sources, Vol. III. (Philadelphia: Wm. 
McCarty, 1842), p. 273. 
991 
2. Ballads Which Depict Women in a Military Context 
But Which Portray Them Undisguised 
(No. 38-39) 
992 
38. THE FATE OF FAITHFUL NANCY 
-- --- -- ----- ---
The Fate Of Faithful Nancy And William Of 
The Waggon Train. 
Tune -- Bushes and Briers. 
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3, Mounmouth-court. 
Attend awhile, and do not smile young men and maids around, 
While I relate a tale so true, as ever yet was found, 
A female did a soldier wed, and with him she did go, 
To join the Peninsular War and share young William's woe. 
The trumpet sounded wars alarms, and call'd young William away, 
He left his dearest Nancy's arms, and thus to her did say, 
Adieu, adieu! my lover true, upon yon hill remain, 
Till you behold your soldier bold, young Will of the Waggon Train. 
'Twas on that lofty mountain, poor Nancy she did stand, 
Her moments she was counting, and view'd the battle grand, 
The battle thrice was lost and won & thousands there lay slain, 
The daring foe had laid them low, and Will of the Waggon Train. 
The trumpet sounded victory, the sun had sunk to rest, 
A stranger fired so angry, and wounded Nancy's breast. 
She cried, oh, save my soldier brave, or I will share his pain, 
For honour cries young Nancy, and Will of the Waggon Train. 
Then from the mountain Nancy went, her William for to find, 
To seek her soldier she was bent, her danger did not mind, 
But mark that night what met her sight, she found her soldier slain 
Her soldier bold, lay dead and cold, poor Will of the Waggon Train. 
She wrote a letter to her friends, and sealed it with her gore, 
Crying--say you witness'd my sad end, I soon shall be no more 
Then said farewell, and down she fell, upon the gory plain, 
She closed her eyes no more to rise from Will of the Waggon Train. 
The officers were standing by, and view'd the pet so true, 
A tear did dim each warriors eye as from them they withdrew, 
But be true and kind, ne'er change your mind, young men when 
hearts you gain, 
Be kind and true like Nancy to Will of the Waggon Train. 
UCLA/SC #605. 
993 
39. THE SMUGGLER'S BRIDE 
The Smuggler's Bride. 
Attention give and a tale I'll tell, 
Of a damsle fair that in Kent did dwell, 
On the Kentish coast when the tempest rolled, 
She fell deep in love with a smuggler so bold. 
Upon her pillow she could not sleep, 
When her valiant smuggler was on the deep, 
While the winds did whistle, she would complain 
For her valaint smuggler that ploughed the raging main 
When Will arrived on his native coast, 
He would fly to her that he valued most--
He would fly to Nancy his lover true, 
And forget all hardships he'd lately been thro'. 
One bright May morning the sun did shine, 
And lads and lasses all gay and fine, 
Along the coast they did trip along, 
To behold their wedding and sing a cheerful song. 
Young Nancy then bid her friends adieu, 
And to sea she went with her lover true, 
In storms and tempests all hardships braves, 
With her valiant smuggler upon the foaming waves. 
One stormy night when the winds did rise, 
And dark and dismal appeared the skies, 
The tempest rolled and waves did roar, 
And the valiant smuggler were driven from shore. 
Cheer up cries William, my valiant wife, 
Says Nancy,--! never valued life, 
I'll brave the storms and tempest through, 
And fight for William with a sword and pistol too. 
At length a cutter did on them drive, 
The cutter on them did soon arrive, 
Don't be daunted--though we're but two, 
We'll not surrender-but fight like Britons true. 
Cheer up, says Nancy with courage true, 
I will fight dear William and stand by you 
They like Britons fought, Nancy stood by the gun, 
They beat their enemies and quickly made them run. 
Another cutter now hove in sight, 
And join'd to chase them with all their might; 
They were overpowered and soon disarmed, 
It was then young Nancy and William were alarmed. 
994 
• 
• 
A shot that moment made Nancy start, 
Another struck William to the heart, 
This shock distressed lovely Nancy's charms, 
When down she fell and expired in William's arms. 
Now Will and Nancy love bid adieu, 
They lived and died like two lovers true, 
Young men and maidens now faithful prove, 
Like Will and Nancy who lived and died in love. 
George Walker, Jun., Printer, Sadler-Street, Durham • 
Harvard, 25242.17, Vol. II, BS 5 
995 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
996 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
I. Sources for the Collection of 
Female Warrior Ballads (Appendix!) 
A. Unpublished Collections 
The American Antiquarian Society 
Worcester, Massachusetts 
784 Isl 
v.1 c.2 
[The Isaiah Thomas Ballad Collection] 
[Uncatalogue4 Broadside Ballads] 
Boston Public Library, Rare Book Division 
Boston, Massachusetts 
**G.382.46 
* *H.80.219 
**H.80.219 
**H.90a.544 
(xbH90A.544) 
["Songs and Ballads Chiefly Comic and 
Humorous as Sung upon the English 
Stage. Broadsides with Illustration. 
London: Laurie and Whittle, 1798-
1821"] 
"Scrapbook" [A Collection of 505 
Songs and Ballads] 
[A Collection of 90 Irish Broadsides] 
The Sailor of Dover 
British Broadcasting Corporation 
Archive of Recorded Sound 
London, England 
12055 
17035/Leader LEE4054 (Cecilia Costello, 12"LP (1975) 
18583 (Ireland) 
22015 (Ireland) 
22037 
997 
Brown University 
Providence, Rhode Island 
John Carter Brown Library 
[Broadside Collection] 
bD78/H252s 
The Happy Ship Carpenter, or 
the heroick Damsel 
John Hay Library 
[Broadsides. Harris Collection. 50 Boxes] 
[Miscellaneous Harris Broadsides] 
Coll.-S433.2 
Coll.-S6981 
Harris 
Rare Books 
76BR5972 
[Scrapbook Collection of Broadside 
Songs and Ballads] 
[Collection of Song Sheets. 4 Vols.] 
The Bristol Bridegroom. To which 
is added Mother's Farewell, and 
Happiness in death. New Haven--
printed [17--] [garland] 
Harvard University 
Cambridge, Massachusetts 
Houghton Library (Harvard) 
*54-784 
*71-217F 
*fEC75.AlOO. 
B775C 
pEB-B65H 
*pEB75P4128C 
"Miscellaneous Prints" 
[Ballads. 2 Vols.] 
[Ballads of the late 17th and 18th 
century] 
[A Collection of broadsides printed 
in England in the 17th, 18th and 
19th centuries, including songs en-
graved with music, ballads, poli-
tical satires, proclamations, etc. 
3 Vols.] 
[A Collection of 334 Broadside Ballads 
in black letter, chiefly belonging 
to the Period of the Restoration. 
2 Vols.] 
[Percy Collection of Broadside 
Ballads. 5 Boxes] 
998 
25241. 46. 5 
25241.47F 
25242.4 
25242.17 
25242.18 
25242.25 
25242.27 
25242.30 
25242.61F 
25242.62 
25242.67PF 
25242.71 
25242.75F 
25242.77 
Tolman, Albert. "Tolman Papers" 
[Songs and Ballads. Manuscript 
Collection. 1 Box] 
[Child Manuscripts] 
[Ballads. Miscellaneous Collection of 
English Ballads and broadsides, 
including many MS. copies of songs 
and ballads, newspaper clippings, 
show-bills, valentines, Christmas 
carols, etc. cir. 1740-1860. 2 Vols.] 
[A Collection of Broadside Songs and 
Ballads printed in England in the 
Nineteenth Century. 14 Vols.] 
[Ballads, Songs, &c. collected 
during a tour through parts of 
Cheshire and Lancashire in August 
1831] 
[A Collection of 324 Slip Ballads by 
J. Pitts--7 Dials] 
[Street Ballads. A Scrapbook contain-
ing broadsides from London and Man-
chester] 
[40 Irish Ballads] 
[A Collection of Old Songs and 
Ballads] 
[A Collection of 155 Old Street 
Ballads] 
[A Collection of 225 English Broad-
side Ballads, Reign of Charles II. 
2 Vols.] 
[A Collection of 274 Broadsides] 
[A collection of Halfpenny Ballads, 
Elegies, Songs, &c. formerly sold 
in the streets. printed and sold 
in 7 Dials and divers Towns and 
Places] 
[A Collection of Song Sheets: A.W. 
Auner, Philadelphia] 
999 
25242.83 
25242.85F 
25243.lOPF 
25252.6 
25252.8 
25252.19 
25262.2 
25274.2 
25276.2 
25276.4.7 
25276.9.5 
25276.18 
25276.19 
25276.20 
25276.23 
(28 Irish Ballads (c. 1840)] 
(308 Broadside Ballads] 
[Ballads. A Collection of Slip Sheets] 
[A Collection of 71 Garlands] 
"Elizabeth. Her Book. 1745" [Ballads. 
A Manuscript Album containing 242 Old 
English Ballads Copied by Elizabeth 
Williams etc.] 
[109 Chapbooks collected by John Bell, 
Newcastle] 
[Murison Manuscript. Pieces collected 
in Old Deer, Scotland, by Mrs. A.F. 
Murison for Prof. Child] 
[An extensive collection of histories, 
ballads, songs, jest-books ... &c. 
probably formed by James and Sir 
Alexander Boswell. 55 Vols.] 
"Curious Productions" [A Collection 
of 83 Chap-books printed in London 
and Belfast; formed by James Bos-
well. 3Vols.] 
[A Collection of Scottish ballads, 
tales, etc. published in Paisley, 
etc. from 1823-1838) 
[Grub St. Garlands] 
[A Collection of 17 Scotch chap-books 
from the Gibson-Craig Collection] 
[Collection of 88 Scotch Chap-books. 
5 Vols.] 
[A Collection of 26 Chap-books, con-
taining Songs, tales, etc. 2 Vols.] 
[A Collection of 34 pieces, contain-
ing songs, ballads, and tales, 
printed at Glasgow, Paisley, Stir-
ling, Airdrie, and Otley, cir. 
1827-29] 
1000 
25276.43.5-43.13 [Collection of Miscellaneous 
Chapbooks. 1 Box] 
25276.43.8 [A Collection of 22 Chapbooks con-
taining English and Scotch Songs 
and Ballads] 
25276.44 [A Collection of 30 Chap-books, un-
bound, formerly belonging to Bishop 
Percy, and having annotations in 
his hand] 
Uncatalogued Broadsides 
4 Boxes 
Uncatalogued Scrapbook, "Street Ballads" 
[Miscellaneous Uncatalogued Broadsides. 1 Box] 
[Miscellaneous Broadsides. "Uncatalogued Poetry"] 
Widener Library (Widener) 
25252.20 [Collection of Chapbooks]. 2 Vols. 
25276.33 [Chapbooks] 
Huntington Library 
San Marino, California 
55382 
259489 
289716-788 
297337 
430486 
[A Collection of 87 Broadside Songs, 
Mounted, and Numbered] 
[Collection of Broadside Songs] 
[Collection of 18th-century English 
Broadside Ballads, &c.] 
[Collection of about 300 Broadside 
Ballads, &c.] 
[A Collection of Broadside Ballads] 
Irish Folk Music Collections 
University College, Earlesfort Terrace 
Dublin, Ireland 
1001 
Irish Folklore Collections (formerly The Irish Folklore 
Commission) 
Irish Folklore Department 
University College 
Dublin, Ireland 
A number 
s prefix 
R prefix 
T prefix 
Asterisk 
McCall 
MacDonagh 
O'Leary 
with no 
= MSS. 
= Disc 
= Tape 
= Copy 
prefix = Main MS Collection 
na Scol 
---
recording 
recording 
at UCLA Folklore Archive 
[Patrick J. McCall Collection of 
Ballads, 2 Vols.] 
[The Donagh MacDonagh Collection] 
[O'Leary, Simon. Irish Ballad Sheets 
(collected by Simon O'Leary (1865-
1955] of 8 The Glen, Limestone Rd., 
Belfast, and deposited in the Irish 
Folklore Commission 12 June 1968)] 
Library Company of Philadelphia 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
[Broadside Ballad Collection] 
Library of Congress 
Washington, D.C. 
Archive of Folk Song 
Gordon Manuscripts 
Main Collection of Archive Recordings 
Manuscript Division 
[Cole, Thomas. Orderly Book] 
1002 
.. 
Library of Congress 
Washington, D.C. 
Music Division 
[Uncatalogued Broadsides. 5 Boxes and Miscellaneous 
Folders] 
Rare Book Division 
[Civil War Songs. Union. 3 Vols.] 
[Collection of Broadside Songs] 
PR974 
C47 
PR976. 
I7 
PR977 
B7folio 
PR1187. 
G3 
PR1187. 
GS 
PS593. 
L8A3 
V.1-4 
[Chapbooks, Glasgow, &c., 1823-29] 
[Irish Ballads and Songs; a Collec-
tion of Broadsides] 
[Broadside Ballads, London &c. 
1790-1830] 
"A Garland of New Songs" [Collection 
of Chapbooks] 
"Good Ship Kitty, &c. [ Ballad gar land] 
"American Ballads and Songs" [A 
Collection of Mounted Broadsides. 
4 Vols.] 
Massachusetts Historical Society 
Boston, Massachusetts 
[Collection of Ballads] 
Memorial University of Newfoundland 
Folklore and Language Archive 
St. John's Newfoundland 
The MacEdward Leach Collection 
Folklore and Language Archive Collection 
1003 
National Library of Ireland 
Dublin, Ireland 
J39988 
Hume MS. 
490 
[Dublin Song Book, (c. 1820)] 
[Songs and Ballads in use in the 
Province of Ulster ••. 1845] 
New York Historical Society 
New York City, New York 
[Broadside Ballads] 
S.Y. 1817-8 
The Happy Ship Carpenter 
[Broadside Ballads] 
Y.S. 1800-43 
The Happy Ship Carpenter 
[Irish Ballads] 
New York Public Library 
New York City, New York 
The Arents Collection 
[Broadside Ballad Scrapbook. c.1800] 
Music Division 
[Broadside Collection. Special Collections] 
*MO+ 
(English) 
*MP 
us 
Rare Book Division 
Individually 
Catalogued 
Ballads *KVB 
*KVBp.v.1-2 
Grainger, Percy and Rose Grainger. 
[Percy Grainger's Collection of 
English Folksongs, Sea Chanties, 
etc., Nos. 100-300] (facs.) 
[American Songs and Ballads. Col-
lection of Broadsides] 
The Bristol Bridegroom &c. 
[Collection of Street Ballads. 
2 Vols.] 
1004 
*KVBp.v.3 [Collection of Ballads. Manchester. 
J. Swindells] 
*KVDp.v.9,No.13 Bonny Mally Stewart; To which are 
added Her Blue rollin' e'e. &c. 
*KVDp.v.10, 
No. 89 
*KVDp.v.10, 
No. 100 
Bonny Mally Stewart; To which are 
added, Her blue rollin' e'e. &c. 
Rob Boy Macgregor, To which are 
added, Mrs. F's Delight, &c. 
[Uncatalogued Broadside Ballads. 4 Boxes] 
Research Division 
NCK 
Pearse Street Library 
Duhl in, Ireland 
Gilbert 
Princeton University 
Princeton, New Jersey 
Erin Machree &c. [Collection of 
Irish Chapbooks] 
The Sir John T. Gilbert Collection 
Firestone Library, Main Collection 
3588.999 [American Ballads. A Collection of 
Pamphlets] 
Firestone Library, Rare Book Division 
(EX) PR1181. 
xc6 
EX 
3598.321 
EX 
3598.847 
Russell, Ma-
linda and 
Samuel 
[A Collection of English, Scottish 
and Irish Broadside Ballads] 
[Eighteenth-century Broadsides] 
[Scrapbook containing Broadsides, 
Chapbooks, &c.] 
[Manuscript Commonplace Books] 
1005 
Providence Public Library, Special Collections 
Providence, Rhode Island 
[Collection of Irish Broadside Ballads] 
Royal Irish Academy 
Dublin, Ireland 
[Broadside Ballad Collections] 
3.C.37 
3.C.38 
Schrader, Arthur F. 
Southridge, Massachusetts 
12.Bl.12 
12.73.18 
66.H.17 
Selected photocopies of broadsides in "The Madden 
Collection of Broadside Ballads," University Library, 
Cambridge University, Cambridge, England 
Trinity College 
Dublin Ireland 
[Broadside Ballad Collections] 
21.bb.51 
21.bb.52 
Ulster Folk Museum 
Belfast, Northern Ireland 
22.0.11 
66.w.165 
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) 
Los Angeles, California 
UCLA Folklore Archive 
Center for the Study of Comparative 
Folklore and Mythology 
82.a.40 
Gall.R.15.35 
Morton 
Collection 
Folksong Collection of Robin Morton 
of Ulster, Northern Ireland; copies 
in UCLA Folklore Archive 
National 
Library of 
Ireland Broadsides 
Copies in UCLA Folklore Archive 
1006 
Shields 
Collection 
Western 
Kentucky Collec-
tion 
Folksong Collection of Hugh Shields, 
Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland; 
copies in Ulster Folk Museum, Belfast, 
and UCLA Folklore Archive 
Wilgus Collection, Western Kentucky 
State University, Bowling Green, Ken-
tucky; copies in UCLA Folklore Archive 
UCLA, Special Collections (University Research Library) 
Sp. Coll. 
lf605 
PR974 
C69 
PR974 
C691 
PR1181 
B198 
*PR1181 
C92 
PR1187 
G19r 
[Broadside Ballads. 6 Boxes] 
[Collection of 15 Ballad Chapbooks] 
[Collection of 12 English Ballad 
Chapbooks] 
[Collection of Chapbook Ballads] 
"A Curious Collection of Old Songs 
and Ballads" [Mounted Broadsides] 
"A Right Choyse and Merry Book of 
Garlands" [Collection of Chapbooks 
compiled by William Garret. 3 Vols.] 
University of Kentucky 
Margaret I. King Library, Special Collections 
Lexington, Kentucky 
[Collection of Broadside Ballads. 6 Vols.] 
Folksongs 
from East 
Kentucky 
Yale University 
"Collected by Folk Song Project of 
the Federal Music Project in Ken-
tucky. Works Progress Administration" 
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library 
New Haven, Connecticutt 
A Lover's Lamentation 
1007 
.. 
Folio 
254 
Ib57 
+t2 
Ib57 
+t3 
Ib57 
t800 
Ib57 
t800g 
Ib58 
Tdl 
IIb57 
Tl 
MS 
Osborn Shelves 
d215 
Holograph 1856 
[Miscellaneous English Broadside 
Ballads, &c.] 
[Miscellaneous Engli~h Broadside 
Ballads, &c. Collected by Charles 
Stone hill] 
[Miscellaneous English and Irish 
Broadside Ballads] 
[A Collection of 37 Popular English 
Songbooks. London, c.1800] 
[A Garland of New Songs. Case 2] 
[A Collection of English Broadside 
Ballads of the Eighteenth Century] 
[Ballads and Broadsides Collected by 
Lovat Fraser. 20 Vols.] 
"A Book of Ballads Ancient." 
[Manuscript Book of Ballads] 
1008 
B. Published Collections 
1. Books 
American Sailor's Songster. Philadelphia, New York, and 
Boston: Fisher and Brother, n.d. 
The American Songbook. New York and Boston: For the 
New York and Boston Booksellers, 1815. 
The American Songster. New York: N.C. Nafis, 1829. 
The American Songster. Baltimore: John Kenedy, 1835. 
The American Songster. Baltimore: John Kenedy, 1836. 
The American Songster. New York: Phillip J. Cozans, 
[1858]. 
The American Songster. New York: P.J. Cozans, 1860. 
The American Star. Richmond: Peter Cottom, 1817. 
Anderson, Geneva. "Ballads and Songs from East Tennessee" 
M.A. Thesis University of North Carolina 1932. 
Ashton, John. Modern Street Ballads. 
and Windus, 1888; rpt Detroit: 
1967. 
London: Chatto 
Singing Tree Press 
The Bagford Ballads, ed. Joseph Woodfall Ebsworth. 2 Vols. 
Hertford: Stephen Austin and Sons, 1878. 
Baring-Gould, Sabine and Cecil Sharp. English Folk Songs 
for Schools. London: Curwen, [1906]. 
Baring-Gould, Sabine and H. Fleetwood Sheppard. A Garland 
of Country Song, English Folk Songs with their Tradi-
tional Melodies. London: Methuen, 1895. 
Beadle's Dime Melodist. New York: William Hall and Son, 
1859-. -
Beadle's Dime Song Book, No. IX. New York and London: 
Beadle, n.d. 
1009 
Beard, Anne Winsmore. "The Personal Folk Song Collection 
of Bascom Lamar Lunsford" M.A. Thesis Miami 
University 1959. 
Belden, H.M. Ballads and Songs Collected Ex. the Missouri 
Folklore Society. Columbia, Missouri: The Uni-
versity of Missouri Studies, XV (No. 1), 1940; rpt 
1955 and 1982. 
Birch and Backus' Songs of the San Francisco Minstrels. 
New York: Dewitt, 188Y:-
The Blackbird. New York: D. Felt and Co.; Pittsburgh: 
Cook and Schoyer, 1834. 
The Book of a Thousand Songs. New York and Philadelphia: 
Turner and Fisher, 1843. 
Boston Musical Miscellany. Boston: J.T. Buckingham, 1811. 
Brewster, Paul G. Ballads and Songs.£!. Indiana. Bloom-
ington, Indiana: Indiana University Publications, 
Folklore Series No. 1, 1940. 
Broadwood, Lucy E. and J.A. Fuller Maitland. 
County Songs. London: Boosey and Co., 
English 
1908. 
Broadwood, Lucy E. English Traditional Songs and Carols. 
London: Boosey and Co., 1908. 
Brocklebank, Joan and Biddie Kindersley. A Dorset Book 
~ Folk Songs. London: English Folk-Dance an-d~-
Song Society, 1966. 
Brown, Frank C. Folk Ballads from North Carolina.2 Vols. 
eds. Henry Belden and Arthur Palmer Hudson. Durham: 
Duke University Press, 1952. 
Buford, Mary Elizabeth. "Folksongs of Florida and Texas" 
M.A. Thesis Southern Methodist University, 1941. 
Burton, Thomas G. and Ambrose N. Manning. The East Ten-
nessee State University Collection~ Folklore:~-
Folksongs .!.!.• Johnson City, Tennessee: Research 
Advisory Council of East Tennessee State University, 
1969. 
Carey, George C. A Sailor's Songbag: An American Rebel 
in an English Prison, 1777-1779. Amherst: Univer-
sity of Massachusetts Press, 1976. 
1010 
Chappell, Louis W. Folk-Songs of Roanoke and the Albe-
marle. Morgantown, West Virginia: The Ballad Press, 
1939. 
Child, Francis J. The English and Scottish Popular Bal-
lad. 5 Vols. Boston and New York: Houghton, 
Mifflin and Co., 1898; rpt New York: Dover, 1965. 
Chilton, Charles. 
Music, Ltd., 
Victorian Folk Songs. 
1965. 
London: Essex 
Christie, W. Traditional Ballad Airs. 2 Vols. Edinburgh: 
Edmonston and Douglas, 1876 and 1881. 
A Collection of Old Ballads. 
1723 andl725. 
3 Vols. London: J. Roberts, 
Cox, John Harrington. Folk-Songs£.!_ the South. Cambridge, 
Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1925. 
Creighton, Helen. Folk Songs from Southern New Brunswick. 
Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Folk Cultu~Studies, 
1971. 
Creighton, Helen. Maritime Folk Songs. 
1961. 
Toronto: Ryerson, 
Creighton, Helen. Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia. 
Toronto and Vancouver: J.M. Dent and Sons-,-1933. 
Creighton, Helen and Doreen H. Senior. Traditional Songs 
from Nova Scotia. Toronto: Ryerson, 1950. 
Croker, T. Crofton. The Historical Songs.£.!. Ireland. 
London: Printed---rc;-r the Percy Society by C. Richards, 
1841. 
Croker, T. Crofton. The Popular Songs of Ireland. London: 
Henry Colburn, 1839. 
Dallas, Karl. The Cruel Wars: 
from Agincourt toUlster. 
One Hundred Soldiers' Songs 
London: Wolfe, 1972. 
Dean, Michael C. The Flying Cloud and One Hundred and 
Fifty Other Old Time Songs and Ballads. Virginia, 
Minnesota: Quickprint, 1922. 
Dibdin, Charles. The Professional Life of Mr. Dibdin, Writ-
ten !:I. Himse1~4 Vols. London~."""c"undee, 1803. 
1011 
Dibdin, Thomas John. The English Fleet in 1342; An 
Historical Comic Opera in Three Acts":"" London: Long-
man, Hurst, Rees, and Orne, 1805-.--
[Dibdin, Thomas John]. Songs, Duets, Choruses, &c. in A 
New Historical Comic Opera in Three Acts caITed The 
English Fleet, in 1342. London: Barker and Son, 
1803. 
Doerflinger, William Main. Shantymen and Shantyboys: 
Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman. New York: 
MacMillan, 1951. 
Duncan, Ruby. "Ballads and Folk Songs Collected in 
Northern Hamilton County (Tennessee)" M.A. Thesis 
University of Tennessee 1939. 
Dunn, Ginette. The Fellowship~ Song: 
Traditions in East Suffolk. London: 
---1980. 
Popular Singing 
Crown Helm, 
D'Urfey, Thomas. New Poems Consisting~ Satyrs, Elegies, 
Odes: Together with! Choice Collection of the 
Newest Court Songs, Set !E_ Musick EL the best Masters 
~ the Age. London: J. Bullord and A. Roper, 1690. 
D'Urfey, Thomas. Wit and Mirth: .£.£, Pills !E_ Purge 
Melanch~. 6 Vol~ London: W. Pearson, 1719; rpt 
New York: Folklore Library Publishers, 1959. 
Eddy, Mary O. Ballads and Songs from Ohio. New York: 
· J.J. Augustin, [1939]. 
Edwards, Ron. Australian Folk Songs: A Continuation of 
"The Overlander Songbook." Holloways Beach, Queens-
land: Rams Skull Press, 1972. 
Elton's Forget Me Not Songster. New York: Elton, n.d. 
The Euing Collection~ English Broadside Ballads in the 
Library of the University~ Glasgow. Glasgow: 
Uni ver si ty of Glasgow, 19 71. (Euing Ballads) 
Evans, Thomas and R.H. Evans. Old Ballads, Historical 
and Narrative, with Some of Modern Date. 4 Vols. 
London: R.H. Evans, 1810-.-
Firth, C.H. Naval Songs and Ballads. London: Publica-
tions of the Navy Records Society, Vol. XXXIII, 
1908. 
1012 
Flanders, Helen Hartness and Elizabeth Flanders Ballard, 
George Brown, and Phillips Barry. The New Green 
Mountain Songster: Tra:diti.onal Folksdn~ of Vermont. 
New Haven: Yale University Press, 1939. 
Flanders, Helen Hartness and George Brown. Vermont Folk-
Songs and Ballads. Brattleboro, Vermont: Stephen 
Daye Press, [1931]. 
Ford, Robert. Vagabond Son~ and Ballads of Scotland. 
Paisley: Gardner, 1899. 
Forecastle Songster. New York: Nafis and Cornish, 1848. 
The Forget Me Not Songster. New York: 
1845. 
Turner and Fisher, 
Fowke, Edith. Traditional Singers and Song2 i~ Ontario. 
Hatboro, Pennsylvania: Folklore Associates, 1965. 
Fuson, Harvey H. Ballads of the Kentucky Highlands. 
London: The Mitre Press, 1931. 
Gardner, Emelyn E. and Geraldine J. Chickering. Ballads 
and Songs~ Southern Michig~. Ann Arbor: Univer-
sity of Michigan Press, 1939. 
Garrison, Theodore. "Forty-five Folk Songs from Searcy 
County Arkansas" M.A. Thesis University of Arkansas 
1944. 
Gray, Roland Palmer. Songs and Ballads~ the Maine Lum-
berjacks. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Uni-
versity Press, 1924. 
Greenleaf, Elizabeth B. and Grace Mansfield. Ballads 
and Sea Songs from Newfoundland. Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts: Harvard University Press, 1933. 
Greig, Gavin. Folk-Song of the North-East. Peterhead: 
"Buchan Observer" Works, 1914; rpt Hatboro, Pennsyl-
vania: Folklore Associates, 1963. 
Greig, Gavin. Transactions of the Buchan Field Club, IX 
(1906-1907). Hatboro, Pennsylvania: Folkl~ 
Associates, 1963. 
Greig, Gavin and Alexander Keith. Last Leaves of Tradi-
tional Ballads and Ballad Airs:---lberdeen:~The 
1013 
Buchan Club, 1925. 
The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Vol. I, eds. 
Patrick Shuldham-Shaw and Emily B. Lyle~ Aberdeen: 
Aberdeen University Press for the University of 
Aberdeen in Association with the School of Scottish 
Studies, University of Edinburgh, 1981. (Greig-Duncan) 
H. DeMarsan's New Comic and Sentimental Singers Journal. 
New York: DeMarsan-:--0.d. 
Hales, John J. and Frederick J. Furnivall, eds. 
Percy's Folio Manuscript. 3 Vols. London: 
Trubner and Co., 1868. (Percy Folio MS) 
Bishop 
N. 
Hammond, H.E.D. Folk Songs from Dorset. London: Novello, 
1908. 
Harding's Dublin Songster. Dublin, n.d. 
Haun, Mildred. "Cook County Ballads and Songs" M.A. Thesis 
Vanderbilt University 1937. 
Healy, James N. The Mercier Book of Old Irish Street 
Ballads. 3 Vols. Cork:~rcie"r°Press, 1967-71. 
Henry, Mellinger E. Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands. 
New York: J.J. Augustin, 1938.~-
Henry, Sam. Songs .£i. the People. Coleraine, Ireland: 
Northern Constitution, 1923-29. (Copies in Belfast 
Free Library, the Library of Congress, and the 
National Library of Ireland; photocopies in Cecil 
Sharp House, London; UCLA Folklore Archive, Los 
Angeles; and private collection of Gale Huntington, 
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts) 
Hill, Geoffry. Wiltshire Folk Songs and Carols. Bourn~-
mouth: W. Mate, [190-z;y:-
Hindley, Charles. The History .£i. the Catnach Press, at 
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick and Newcastle...;upon-Tyne, 
in Northumberland, and Seven~als, London. London: 
Charles Hindley, 1886; rpt Detroit: Singing Tree 
Press, 1968. 
Hindley, Charles. The Old Book Collector's Miscellany. 
3 Vols. Londo~ Reevesand Turner, 1871-3. 
1014 
Hogarth, George. The Songs~ Charles Dibdin, Chrono-
logically Arranged, With Notes, Historical, Bio-
graphical, and Criticaf:- 2 Vols. London: How and 
Parsons, 1842. 
Holloway, John and Joan Black. Later English Broadside 
Ballads. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 
1975. 
Hubbard, Lester. Ballads and Songs from Utah. 
City: University of Utah, 1961-.~-
Salt Lake 
Hudson, Arthur Palmer. Folk Songs £i Mississippi. Chapel 
Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1936. 
Hummel, Lynn. "Ozark Folksongs" M.A. Thesis University 
of Missouri 1936. 
Huntington, Gale. Songs the Whalemen Sang. New York: 
Dover, 1970. 
Inne's Budget £i Merry Songs. London: J. Innes, [1820]. 
Johnson, R. Brimley. Popular British Ballads, Ancient 
and Modern. 4 Vols. London: J.M. Dent and Co.; 
Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1894. 
Joyce, P.W. Ancient Irish Music: Comprising One Hundred 
Airs Hitherto Unpublished, Many £i the Old Popular 
Songs, and Several New Songs. Dublin: McGlashan 
and Gill, 1873; New York: Longmans, Green, and 
Co., 1906. 
Joyce, P.W. Old Irish Folk Music and Song. New York 
Longmans, Green, and Co., 1909. 
Karpeles, Maud. Cecil Sharp's Collection £i English Folk 
Songs. 2 Vols. London: Oxford University Press, 
1974. 
Karpeles, Maud. Folk Songs from Newfoundland. Hamden, 
Connecticutt: Archon, 1970. 
Kidson, Frank. English Peasant Songs, With Their Tradi-
tional Airs. London: Ascherberg, Hopwood,and Crew, 
1929. 
Kidson, Frank and Alfred Moffat. Folk Songs from the North 
Country With their Traditional Airs. London:----Xscher-
berg, Hopwood, and Crew, 1927. 
1015 
Kidson, Frank. A Garland of English Folk Songs. London: 
Ascherberg,-Hopwood, and Crew, [1926]. 
Kidson, Frank. Traditional Tunes. Oxford: Charles Tap-
house and Son, 1891. 
Korson, George. Pennsylvania Songs and Legends. Phila-
delphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1949. 
Leach, MacEdward. Folk Ballads and Songs E.i_ the Lower 
Labrador Coast. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada 
Bulletin No. 201, Anthropological Series No. 68, 
1965. 
[Lilly, Joseph]. Collection of Seventy-nine Blackletter 
Ballads and Broadsides, Printed in the Reign of Queen 
Elizabeth, Between the Years 1559 and 1597. London: 
Joseph Lilly, 1867;~t Detroit: Singing Tree Press, 
1968. 
Linscott, Eloise Hubbard. Folk Songs of Old New England. 
New York: MacMillan, 1939. 
Lomax, John A. and Alan Lomax. Our Singing Country. New 
York: MacMillan, 1941. 
Logan, W.H. A Pedlar's Pack E.i_ Ballads and Songs. Edin-
burgh: William Paterson, 1869; rpt Detroit: Singing 
Tree Press, 1968. 
Long, W.H. A Dictionary E.i_ the Isle of Wight Dialect, And 
of Provincialisms Used in the Island; with Illus-
trative Anecdotes and Tale~To Which is appended The 
Christmas Boys' Play, An l~le of Wight~"Hooam~vest~ 
and Songs Sung by the Peasantry; Forming a Treasury 
of Insular Manners and Customs of Fifty Years Ago. 
London: Reeves and Turner, 1886. 
Lyle, E.B. 
Songs. 
Andrew Crawfurd's Collection of Ballads and 
Edinburgh: The Scottish Tex~Society, 1975. 
Mackenzie, w. Roy. Ballads and Sea Songs from Nova Scotia. 
Cambridge, Massachusetts:" Harvard University Press, 
1928. 
Manny, Louise and James Wilson. Songs E.i_ Miramichi. 
Fredericton, New Brunswick: Brunswick Press, 1970. 
Merrick, W. Percy. Folk Songs from Sussex. London: 
Novello, [1912]-.~-
1016 
The Modern Language Association of America Collection of 
Photographic Facsimiles, No-:--l.]__. Broadside Ballads 
in the Manchester Free Reference Library. New York: 
Modern Language Association, 1927. 
The Modern Language Association~ America Collection of 
Photographic Facsimiles, No. 60. A Collection of 
Black-letter Ballads. Anthon~Wood. Oxford, The 
Bodleian Library. New York: Modern Language 
Association, 1927. 
Moore, Ethel and Chauncey O. Moore. Ballads and Folk 
Songs of the Southwest: More than Six Hundr~itles, 
Melodies,~d Texts Collected in Oklahoma. Norman: 
University"c;"I Oklahoma Press, 1964. 
Morris, Alton C. Folksongs~ Florida. Gainesville: 
University of Florida Press, 1950. 
Morton, Robin. Come Day, Go~' God Send Sunday: The 
Songs and Life Story, Told in His Own Words of John 
Maguire, Traditional Singer and Farmer from Co. 
Fermanagh. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973. 
Northumbrian Minstrel. Alnwick: W. Davison, 1811. 
O'Brien, Jane R. "Percy Grainger: English Folk Song and 
the Grainger English Folk Song Collection" Diss. La 
Trobe University 1979. 
O'Lochlainn, Colm. More Irish Street Ballads. Dublin: 
The Sign of the Three Candles, 1965. 
Ord, John. The Bothy Songs and Ballads of Aberdeen, 
Banff and Moray, Angus and the Mearns. Paisley: 
Alexander Gardner, 1930. 
O'Shaughnessy, Patrick. Twenty-one Lincolnshire Folk-
Songs from the Manuscript Collection~ Pe.E.£Y_ 
Grainger. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968. 
Owens, William A. Texas Folk Songs. Dallas: Publications 
of the Texas Folk-lore Society, No. XXIII, 1950. 
Palmer, Roy. The Rambling Soldier: 
Soldiers'~ngs and Writings. 
Books, 1977. 
Military Life through 
New York: Penguin 
Palmer, Roy and Pamela Bishop and Katharine Thomson. Songs 
of the Midlands. Wakefield: EP Publishing, 1972. 
1017 
Peacock, Kenneth. Songs of the Newfoundland Outports. 
3 Vols. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada Bulletin 
No. 197, Anthropological Series No. 65, 1965. 
The Pepys Ballads, ed. Hyder E. Rollins. 8 Vols. Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 
1929-32. 
Perry, Henry. "Folklore of Carter County, Tennessee" M.A. 
Thesis Peabody College 1938. 
Peters, Harry B. Folk Songs out of Wisconsin. Madison: 
State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1977. 
Purslow, Frank. The Constant Lovers: More English Folk 
Songs from the Hammond and Gardiner MSS. London: 
E.F.D.S. Publications, 1972. 
Purslow, Frank. The Foggy Dew: More English Folk Songs 
from the Hammond and Gardiner MSS. London: English 
Folk Dance and So~Society, 1974. 
Purslow, Frank. Marrow Bones; English Folksongs from the 
Hammond and Gardiner MSS. London: E.F.D.S. Publica-
tions, [1965]. 
Purslow, Frank. The Wanton Seed: More English Folk Songs 
from the Hammond and Gardiner MSS. London: E.F.D.S. 
Publications, 196~ 
Randolph, Vance and Floyd C. Shoemaker. Ozark Folksongs. 
4 Vols. Columbia, Missouri: The State Historical 
Society of Missouri, 1946-50; rpt Columbia: Universi-
ty of Missouri Press, 1982. (Randolph) 
Ranson, Joseph. Songs of the Wexford Coast. Enniscorthy: 
Godfrey's Market Square, 1948; rpt Norwood, Pennsyl-
vania: Norwood Editions, 1973. 
Reeves, James. The Everlasting Circle: English Tradition-
al Verse Edited With An Introduction and Notes from 
the Manuscripts of S.~aring-Gould, H--:-i:"D. Hamm~ 
and George B. Gardiner. New York: MacMillan, 1960. 
Reeves, James. The Idiom of the People: English Tradi-
tional Verse Edited with An Introduction and Notes 
from the Manuscripts~Cecil J. Sharp. London: 
Heinemann, 1958. 
Roberts, Leonard. In the Pine: Selected Kentucky Folk-
1018 
songs. 
Press, 
Pikesville, Kentucky: 
1978. 
Pikesville College 
Roth, H. Ling and J.T. Jolley. War Ballads and Broadsides 
of Previous Wars, 1779-1795-.~Halifax: ~ King, 
1915; rpt Norwood, Pennsylvania: Norwood Editions, 
1974. 
Roundelay, or the New Syren. London: W. Lane, n.d. 
The Roxburghe Ballads, eds. William Chappell and J. Wood-
fall Ebsworth. 9 Vols. Hertford: Printed for the 
Ballad Society by S. Austin and Sons, 1871-99. 
(Roxburghe Ballads) 
The Roxburghe Ballads, ed. Charles Hindley. 2 Vols. 
London: Reeves and Turner, 1873 and 1874. 
The Royal Polka Song Book. London: Ryle and Co., n.d. 
Sanford's Plantation Melodies. Pittsburgh: Hunt and 
Miner, 1860. 
Scarborough, Dorothy. A Song Catcher in the Southern 
Mountains. New York: Columbia University Press, 
1937. 
Scotish Ballads and Songs. Edinburgh: Thomas George 
Stevenson, 1859. 
Seeger, Peggy and Ewan Maccoll. The Singing Island: A 
Collection of English and Scots Folksongs. London: 
Mills Music~td., 1960-.~ 
Sharp, Cecil. English County Folk Songs. London: Novello 
and Co., Ltd., first printed in 5 Vols., 1908-12; 
rpt in 1 Vol., 1961. 
Sharp, Cecil. English Folk Songs. London: Novello, 
first printed in 2 Vols., 1920; rpt in 1 Vol., 1959. 
Sharp, Cecil. English Folk-Songs from the Southern 
Appalachia~ed~ Maud Karpeles. ~2-Vols. London: 
Oxford University Press, 1932. 
Sharp, Cecil and Charles Marson. Folk Songs from Somerset. 
1st Series. London: Simpkin and MarshaIT;-1904. 
Sharp, Cecil and C.L. Marson. Folk Songs from Somerset. 
3rd Series. London: Simpkin and Co., 1908. 
1019 
Sharp, Cecil. One Hundred English Folk Songs. Boston: 
Oliver Ditsoii" Co., [1916]. 
Shay, Frank. Sea Songs and Shanties. New York: W.W. 
Norton, 1948. 
Shoemaker, Henry W. 
Philadelphia: 
Mountain Minstrelsy of Pennsylvania. 
Newman F. McGirr, 193I":"° 
Songs, Odes and Other Poems on National Subjects. Phila-
delphia: William McCarty, 1842. 
Songs .9i_ the Ocean. New York: P.J. Cozans, 1860. 
Songsters Multum in Parvo. 6 Vols. London: John 
Fairburn, n.d. 
Stanford, Charles Villers, ed. The Complete Petrie Col-
lection .9i_ Irish Music as noted by George Petrie. 
3 Parts. London and New York: Boosey and Co., 
1902-5. 
Steely, Mercedes. "Folksongs of Ebenezar Community" M.A. 
Thesis University of North Carolina 1936. 
Stout, Earl J. Folklore from Iowa. New York: Memoirs 
of the American Folklore Society, Vol. XXIX, 1936. 
Stubbs, Ken. The Life of Man: English Folk Songs from 
the Home Counties. London: E.F.D.S. Publications, 
1970-. -
Thomas, Jean. Devil's Ditties: Bei~ Stories .9i_ the 
Kentucky Moutain People and the Songs Th~ Sing. 
Chicago: W.W. Hatfield Co.,-y"'g31. 
Thompson, Harold W. 
delphia: J.B. 
Body, Boots, and Britches. 
Lippincott Co., 1939. 
Phila-
Thompson, Harold W. A Pioneer Songster: Texts from the 
Stevens-Douglass Manuscript of Western New York. 
1841-1856. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1958. 
Uncle True Songster. Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and 
Baltimore: Fisher and Brother, n.d. 
The Universal Irish Song Book. New York: P.J. Kennedy, 
1904. 
1020 
The Uiiiversal Songster or Museum of Mirth. 3 Vols. 
London: George Routledge, n-:-"a:". 
Varian, Ralph (Duncathail, pseudonym). Street Ballads, 
Popular Poetry, and Household. Songs ·£! Ireland. 
Dublin: Gill, 1864; rpt 1873 (under pseudonym); rpt 
1882 (under pseudonym). 
The Vocal Annual, or Singer's Own Book, for 1832. Boston: 
Frederic Hill, 1832. 
The Vocal Maga~ine. London: J. Harrison, 1778. 
Whal 1, W. B. Sea Songs and Shanties. Glasgow: Brown and 
Son, and~rguson,1927. 
Williams, Owen Alfred. Folk Songs of the Upper Thames, 
with an Essay on Folk Song Activity"7in the Upper 
Thames Neighborhood. London: Duckworth, 1923. 
Wilson, James. The Musical Cyclopedia, A Collection of 
English, Scottish, and Irish Songs. London: Allan 
Bell, 1834. 
Wiseheart's New Com~c Songster. Dublin: n.p., n.d. 
Wiseh.eart's Songster's Olio and Play House Companion. 
Dublin: n.p., n.d. 
Wyman, Loraine and Howard Brockway. Lonesome Tunes: 
Folk Songs from the Kentucky Mountains. New York: 
H.W. Gray c0:-:-(1916]. 
1021 
.. 
2. Periodicals 
Adventure Magazine. 1910-26. 
Bulletin of the Folk-Song Society of the Northeast. 
1930::-Y.---U-FSSNE) 
Ceol: A Journal of Irish Music. 1963-. 
Dublin University Magazine. 1833-80. 
Ireland's Own: A Journal of Fiction Literature and 
Gener~Information. ~905-. 
Journal of American Folklore. 1888-. (JAF) 
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. 
1892--.-
Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. 
1932--.-
Journal~ the Folk Song Society. 1899-1931. (JFSS) 
Publications of the Texas Folk-lore Society. 1916-. 
Southern Folklore Quarterly. 1937-. (SFQ) 
Tocher: Selections from the Archives of the School for 
Scottish StudieS:--1971-79 • 
1022 
" 
3. Commercial Recordings 
Argo RG17 
Jean Ritchie, Songs from Kentucky. 
Aslan 7775 
Ellis Tackett, Jr., My Favorite Songs. 
FE 4075 Folkways 
Songs from the Out-Ports_£!. Newfoundland 
(recorded by MacEdward Leach). 
FE 4307 Ethnic Folkways Library 
Maritime Folk Songs from the Collection of 
Helen Creighton. 
FSA 3 Folk Legacy Records 
Edna Ritchie, Edna Ritchie. 
FSA 60-076 Folktracks 
Thomas Moran, The Bonny Bunch of Roses 0. 
FSA 60-098 Folktracks 
Sam Bennet and Cecilia Costello, Down 
by the Greenwood Side-I-0. 
FSC-10 Folk Legacy Records 
Tom Brandon, The Rambling Irishman. 
Gael-Linn CEF 043 
Triona ni Dhomhnali. 
LEA 4050 Leader 
Unto Brigg Fair (recorded by Percy Grainger). 
1023 
Library of Con~ress XX 
Folk Music of the United States. 
Library of Congress, L-21 
Anglo-American Songs and Ballads (ed. 
Duncan B.M. Emrich). 
Prestige/International 25004 
Banjo Songs, Ballads and Reels from the 
Southern Mountains: Southern Journe~. 
RLP-12-608, Riverside 
Patrick Galvin, Irish Love Songs. 
Topic 12Tl40 
A Canadian Garland: Folksongs from the 
Province of Ontario (recorded by Edith 
Fowke). 
Topic 12Tl67 
The Watersons, A Yorkshire Garland. 
Topic 12Tl82 
Sarah Makem, Ulster Ballad Singer. 
Topic 12T258 
Sussex Harvest. 
Topic 12T5232 
A.L. Lloyd, The Valiant Sailor: 
and Ballads c:;-r-Nelson's Navy. 
1024 
Songs 
II. Catalogue References for the Collection 
of Female Warrior Ballads (App~ndix !) 
A. Unpublished Catalogues 
"Alphabetical Catalogue of Garlands Collected by John Bell 
of Newcastle." 25241.44. Harvard University. 
"A Catalogue of Maps, Histories, Prints, Old Ballads, Copy-
Books, Broad-Sheet and Other Patters, Drawing-
books, &c. Garlands, &c. Printed and Sold by Wil-
liam and Cluer Dicey, At their Warehouse, Oppo-
site the South Door of Bow-Church, in Bow-Church-
Yard, London. 1754." Bodleian Library, MS 258.c. 
109. Oxford University; reproduced in Robert S. 
Thomson, "The Development of the Broadside Ballad 
Trade and Its Influence upon the Transmission of 
English Folksongs" Diss. Cambridge University 
1974, p. 287. 
Lamson, Roy. "Complete File by First Lines, Harvard 
College Library Broadsides--Chiefly Black Letter." 
Card File Index, Houghton Library. Harvard Uni-
versity. (Lamson) 
"Stationers' Register Entry by Thomas Norris and Charles 
Brown, 20 September 1712." Reproduced in Thomson, 
"Development," Appendix B. 
Stoughton, Gertrude P. (Rawson). "Study of the Ballads in 
the Wood Collection, With a Complete Catalogue." 
Huntington Library. (Stoughton[Rawson]) 
Wilgus, D.K. and Eleanor Long. Unpublished Catalogue of 
Irish Traditional Narrative Songs in English. 
UCLA Folklore Archive. (Wilgus-Long) 
B. Published Catalogues 
British Museum General Catalogue E.!_ Printed Books. 261 
Vols. London: The Trustees of the British 
Museum, 1960-66. (British Museum) 
Chappell, William. Old English Popular Music, ed. H. Ellis 
Wooldridge. New York: Jack Brussell, 1893; rpt 
1961. (Chappell) 
Cleveland Public Library, John G. White Department, Cata-
logue of Folklore and Folk Songs. 2 Vols. 
1025 
Boston: G.K. Hall, 1964. 
Crawford, James Ludovic Lindsay, Earl of. Bibliotheca 
Lindesiana: Catalogue £i ! Collection of 
English Ballads £i.. the Seventeenth and Eighteenth 
Centuries Printed for the Most Part in Black 
Letter. 2 Vols. 1890°;rpt New York°":" Burt 
Franklin, n.d. (Crawford) 
Dean-Smith, Margaret. A Guide to English Folk Song Col-
lections, 1822-!952 WithAn Index to Th~Con-
tents, Historical Annotations and An Introduction. 
Liverpool: The University Pres~f-Y:-iverpool in 
association with the English Folk Dance and Song 
Society, 1954. (Dean-Smith) 
Ferguson, Chancellor R.S. "On Some Additions to the 
Collection of Chapbooks in the Bibliotheca 
Jacksoniana in Tullie House," Transactions of 
the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian and 
Archaeological Society, XVI (1900), pp. 292-335. 
(Ferguson) 
Ford, Worthington C. Broadsides, Ballads, &c. Printed 
in Massachusetts 1639-1800. Boston: Massachu-
setts Historical Society, 1922. (Ford, Broad-
sides) 
Ford, Worthington C. "The Isaiah Thomas Collection of 
Ballads," Proceedings of the American Antiquarian 
Society, New Series, XXXIU(1923), pp. 34-112. 
(Ford, "Isaiah Thomas") 
Halliwell, James O. A Catalogue of Proclamations, Broad-
sides, Ballad~ and Poems.~Presented to the Chet-
ham Library, Manchester. London: Privately Print-
ed, 1851. (Halliwell, Catalogue of Proclamations) 
Laws, G. Malcolm, Jr. American Balladry from British 
Broadsides: A Guide for Students and Collectors 
of Traditional Song. Philadelphia-:~American 
Folklore Society, 1957. (Laws) 
National Library £i.. Scotland, Edinburgh, Catalogue of the 
Lauriston Castle Chapbooks. Boston: G.K. Hal-Y-:-
1964. 
Newton, T.W. Catalogue £i.. Old Ballads in the Possession 
.£.i. Frederic Ouvry, ~., President £i.. the Society 
.£.i. Antiquaries. London: Privately Printed, 1877. 
(Newton) 
1026 
Rollins, Hyder E. "An Analytical Index to the Ballad-
Entries (1557-1709) in the Registers of the 
Company of Stationers of London," Studies in 
Philology, XXI (1924), pp. 1-324; rpt Chapel 
Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1924; 
rpt Hatboro, Pennsylvania: Tradition Press, 1967. 
(Rollins, "Analytical Index") 
Rosenberg, Bruce A. The Folksongs.£.!. Virginia: A Check-
list~ the WPA Holdings, Alderman Library, Uni-
versity of Virginia. Charlottesville: University 
Press of Virginia, 1969. (Rosenberg) 
Shipton, Clifford K. and James E. Mooney. National Index 
of American Imprints through 1800: The Short-
title Evans. 2 Vols. Worcester, Massachusetts: 
American Antiquarian Society, 1969. (Shipton 
and Mooney) 
Simpson, Claude. The British Broadside Ballad and Its 
Music. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers Uni-
versity Press, 1966. (Simpson) 
Sonneck, Oscar George Theodore. A Bibliography of Early 
Secular American Music [Eighteenth Century], re-
vised and enlarged by William Treat Upton. Wash-
ington, D.C.: Library of Congress Music Division, 
1945. (Sonneck) 
"The Stock ballads of Samuel Harward, printer at Tewkes-
bury between 1760 and 1775," Gloucestershire 
Notes and Queries, III (1887 ), pp. 227-8. 
Thomson, Frances M. Newcastle Chapbooks in Newcastle 
upon Tyne University Library. Newcastle upon 
Tyne:~iel Press, 1969. (Thomson) 
"Trade List of William Thackeray, London c. 1689," in 
Leslie Shepard, John Pitts, Ballad Printer of 
Seven Dials, Lon~1765-1844. London: Private 
Libraries, 1969, opposite p. 20. 
Wing, Donald. Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in 
England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and British 
America And of English Books Printed in Other 
Countrie"sl641-1700. 2nd ed., revise~and en-
larged. 3 Vols. New York: The Index Committee 
of the Modern Language Association of America, 
1972. (Wing) 
1027 
Wolf, Edwin, 2nd. American Song Sheets, Slip Ball•ds 
and Poetical Broadsi~l850-1870~hiladelphia: 
The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1963. 
(Wolf) 
Wolfe, Richard J. Secular Music in America 1801-1825: 
III. 
A Bibliography. New York: New York Public 
Library, 1964. 
Selected Sources for the Discussion of 
the Female Warrior in Anglo-American 
Popular Balladry 
Abrahams, Roger and George Foss. Anglo-American Folksong 
Style. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-
Hall, 1968. 
Aldis, H.G. "Book Production and Distribution, 1625-
1800," in The Cambridge History of English 
Literature, Vol. XI. New York: MacMillan; 
Cambridge: At the University Press, 1933, pp. 
344-79. 
Alleman, Gellert Spencer. Matrimonial Law and the Mater-
ials of Restoration Comedy. Wallingfora:-:-Pennsyl-
vania: n.p., 1942. 
The Adventures of Lucy Brewer, (alias) Louisa Baker. 
Boston:~N-:----COverly, jr., 1815. 
An Aethiopian History of Heliodorus (Underdowne's Trans-
lat ion, 158 7) with an Introduction ·Et George 
Saintsbury. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, 
Kent, and Co., Ltd., n.d. 
"The Aethiopis" [by Arctinus of MiletusJ in Hesiod, the 
Homeric Hymns and Homerica, trans. Hugh G. 
Evelyn-White. -r:ondon: William Heinemann Ltd., 
1914; Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Uni-
versity Press (Loeb Classical Library), 1959. 
An Affecting Narrative .£i_ Louisa Baker. Portsmouth, New 
Hampshire: n.p., 1816. 
1028 
'> 
Allnutt, W.H., "Notes on the Introduction of Printing-
Presses into the Smaller Towns of England and 
Wales after 1750 to the En~ of the Eighteenth 
Century," The Library, New Series (2nd), Vol. 
II (1901),J'P. 242-59. 
Anderton, Basil. "Thomas Bewick, The Tyneside Engraver," 
The Library, Third Series, VI (1915), pp. 365-84. 
The Annals and History of Cornelius Tacitus. . made 
English .£Y. Several Hands. London: Matth~ 
Gillyflower, 1698. 
Apel, Willi. Harvard Dictionary of Music, 2d ed. Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press, 1972. 
Arber, Edward. A Transcript of the Registers .£.f the 
Company of Stationers of London 1554-1640. 5 Vols. 
London and Birmingham:-Privately Printed, 1875-
94. 
Ariosto, Ludovico. Orlando Furioso, trans. Allan Gilbert. 
2 Vols. New York: S.F. Vanni, 1954. 
Arundell, Dennis. The Story of Sadler's Wells 1683-1977. 
Newton Abba~ David and Charles, 1978. 
Ashton, John. A Century of Ballads. London: Elliot 
Stock, 1887. 
Ashton, John. Chapbooks of the Eighteenth Century. 
London: Chatto and Windus, 1882; rpt New York: 
Blom, 1967. 
Ashton, John. The Dawn of the Nineteenth Century in 
England-:-ASocial Sketch of the Times. 5th ed. 
London: T~ Fisher Unwin, 190°6:-
Ashton, John. Eighteenth Century Waifs. London: Hurst 
and Blackett, Publishers, 1887. 
Ashton, John. The Fleet, Its River, Prison, and Marriages. 
London:~. Fisher Unwin, 1888. 
Ashton, John. Old Times: A Picture of Social Life at the 
End of the Eighteenth Century. London: ---:fohn c-. -
-- --Nimmo, 1885. 
Ashton, John. Social England Under the Regency. 2 Vols. 
London: Ward and Downey, 1890. 
1029 
Ashton, John. Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne: 
Taken from Original~ources. London: Chatto 
and Windus, 1883; rpt Detroit: Singing Tree 
Press, 1968. 
Athill, Lawrence. "Eccentric Englishwomen: V. Hannah 
Snell," The Spectator, 158 (1937), pp. 899-900. 
Austin, Roland. "Robert Raikes, the Elder, and the 
'Gloucester Journal'," The Library, Third Series, 
VI (1915), pp. 1-24. 
Baez, Joan. The Joan Baez Song Book. New York: Ryerson 
Music Publishers, 1964. 
Barry, Phillips, "Communal Re-creation," Bulletin of the 
Folk-Song Society~ the Northeast, v (1933),~. 
4-6. 
Baynham, Henry. From the Lower Deck: The Old Navy 1780-
1840. London:~utchinsOU:-196~ 
Beaumont, Francis. The Scornful Ladie. London: Myles 
Partrich, 1616. 
Bennett, Josephine Waters. 
Queene." Chicago: 
1942; rpt New York: 
The Evolution of "The Faerie 
University of Chicago Press, 
Burt Franklin, 1960. 
Bernard, John. "The Bristol Sailor, or The Whimsical 
Ladies." Larpent MS 732. Huntington Library. 
Bibliographers Manual~ Gloucestershire Literature, comp. 
F.A. Hyatt and William Blazeley. Gloucester: 
John Bellows, 1897. 
Bibliotheca Americana, Catalogue.£!. American Publications 
including Reprints and Original Works, from 1820 
to 1852, comp. O.A. Roorbach. New York: O.A. 
Roorbach, 1852. 
[Billings, Mrs. Eliza Allen]. The Female Volunteer. n.p., 
n.d. 
Blagden, Cyprian. "Notes on the Ballad Market in the 
Second Half of the Seventeenth Century," Studies 
in Bibliography, VI (1953), pp. 161-80. 
Blount, Thomas. Fragmenta Antiquitatis. London: Printed 
by the assigns of R. and E. Atkins, for A. Roper, 
1679. 
1030 
Bourne, Henry. Antiquitates Vulgares: 
quities of the Common People. 
White, 1725-.-
Or, the Anti-
Newcastle: John 
Boyd, Elizabeth. The Happy Unfortunate; or, the Female 
Page: A Novel. London: Tho. Edlin, 1732. 
Bradbrook, M.C. "Shakespeare and the Use of Disguise in 
Elizabethan Drama," Essays in Criticism, II 
(1952), pp. 159-68. 
Brand, John. Observations on the Popular Antiquities of 
Great Britain. 3 Vols-.-Newcastle, 1777; rpt 
London: Bell and Daldy, 1873. 
Bratton, J.S. The Victorian Popular Ballad. New York: 
MacMillan, 1975. 
Bridenbaugh, Carl. Vexed and Troubled Englishmen 1590-1642. 
New York: Oxford University Press, 1968. 
The British Union Catalogue~ Early Music Printed before 
the Year 1801, ed. Edith B. Schnapper. London: 
Butterworth Scientific Publications, 1957. 
Bromley, J.S. The Manning of the Royal Navy: Selected 
Public Pamphlets 1693-1873. London: William 
Clowes and Sons, Ltd., 1974. 
Brown, H. Glenn and Maude 0. Brown. A Directory~ Print-
ing, Publishing, Bookselling and Allied Trades in 
Rhode Island to 1865. New York: New York Public 
Library, 1958-.-
Brown, H. Glenn and Maude O. Brown. "A Directory of the 
Book-Arts and Book Trade in Philadelphia to 1820 
Including Painters and Engravers," Bulletin of 
the New York Public Library, LIII (1949), pp-.-
492-503. 
Brown, Philip A.H. London Publishers and Printers: A 
Tentative List, c. 1800-1870. -i:-ondon: British 
Museum, Privately Printed, 1961. 
Buck, Anne. Dress in Eighteenth-century England. New 
York: Holmes and Meier Publishers, Inc., 1979. 
Bullough, Geoffry. Narrative and Dramatic Sources of 
Shakespeare, Vols. I ancr-II. London: Routledge 
and Kegan Paul, 1966 and 1958. 
1031 
[Burbery, John]. The History£! the Sacred and Royal 
Majesty£! Christina Alessandra Queen of Sweland. 
London: Printed for T.W., 1658. 
[Burton] B.,R. Female Excellency, .£E_ the Ladies Glory. 
London: Nath. Crouch, 1688. 
Butler, Samuel. Hudibras, ed. John Wilders. Oxford: 
The Clarendon Press, 1967. 
The Cabin Boy Wife;.£.!:., Singular and Surprising Adventures 
£! Mrs. Ellen Stephens. New York: C.E. Daniels, 
1840. 
Carnie, Robert Hay and Ronald Paterson Doig. "Scottish 
Printers and Booksellers 1668-1775: A Supplement," 
Studies in Bibliography, XII (1959), pp. 131-59. 
Carnie, Robert Hay. "Scottish Printers and Booksellers 
1668-1775: A Second Supplement (I)," Studies in 
Bibliography, XIV (1961), pp. 81-96. 
Carnie, Robert Hay, "Scottish Printers and Booksellers 
1668-1775: A Second Supplement (II)," Studies in 
Bibliography, XV (1962), pp. 105-20. 
A Catalogue£! An Unique Collection£! Ancient English 
Broadside Ballads Printed Entirely in the Black 
Letter. On Sale~ John Russell Smith-.~London: 
Privately Printed, 1856. (Also issued under the 
title: A Catalogue£! An Unique Collection £i. 
Ancient English Broadside Ballads with Notes£! the 
Tunes and Imprints, compiled~ J.O. Halliwell.) 
A Catalogue £i. the Bradshaw Collection£! Irish Books in 
the University Library Cambridge. Cambridge: 
Printed for the University Library, 1916. 
Catalogue£! the Gloucestershire Collection, comp. R. Aus-
tin. ~oucester: Henry Osborne, 1928. 
Cervantes, Don Miguel de. "A Story of Two Damsels" in 
Delight in Several! Shapes, trans. James Mabbe. 
London: -"william Sheares, 1654, pp. 1-54. 
Chandler, Frank w. The Literature£! Roguery. 2 Vols. 
New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1907. 
Cheney, C.R. "Early Banbury Chap-books and Broadsides," 
The Library, Fourth Series, XVII (1937), pp. 
98-108. 
1032 
Childs, John. The Army of Charles II. London: Routledge 
and Keg~Paul, 1976. 
Clark, Alice. Working Life of Women in the Seventeenth 
Century. London: George Routledge and Sons, 
Ltd.; New York: E.P. Dutton and Co., 1919. 
Coffin, Tristram P. and Roger de V. Renwick. The British 
Traditional Ballad in North America, rev. ed. 
Austin: University--;£ Texas Press, 1977. 
Cohen, Anne. Poor Pearl, Poor Girl: The Murdered-Girl 
Stereotype in Ball~nclNewspaper. Austin: 
University of Texas Press, 1973. 
Colman, George. "Polly, an Opera Alter'd from Gay." 
Larpent MS 431. Huntington Library. 
The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. 2 
Vols. Glasgow, New York, &c.: Oxford University 
Press, 1971. 
"The Contract or Female Captain." Larpent MS 476. Hun-
tington Library. 
Coxere, Edward. Adventures E.Y. Sea~ Edward Coxere, ed. 
E.H.W. Meyerstein. New York and London: Oxford 
University Press, 1946. 
Creighton, Helen and Calum MacLeod. Gaelic Songs in Nova 
Scota. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada Bul-
letin No. 198, Anthropological Series No. 66, 1964. 
Crockett, Harold Kelly. "The Picaresque Tradition in 
English Fiction to 1770: A Study of Popular Back-
grounds, With Particular Attention to Fielding 
Davies, 
and Smollett" Diss. University of Illinois 1953. 
Robert. A Memoir of the York Press, With Notices 
~ Authors, Printers and Stationers, in the Six-
teenth, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth CenturieS:-
Westminster: Nichols and Sons, 1868. 
Day, Cyrus. The Songs of Thomas D'Urfey. Cambridge, 
Massachusetts: -iiarvard University Press, 1933. 
Defoe, Daniel. The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Fa-
mous Mol~landers, ecf:--Edward Kelly.~N~York: 
W.W. Norton, 1973. 
Defoe, Daniel. A General History of the Pirates, ed. 
1033 
.. 
M. Schonhorn. London: Dent, 1972. 
Defoe, Daniel. Life and Adventures of Roxana; the For-
tunate Mistressor Most Unhappy Wife. n.p.-:-The 
Bibliophilist Socie~1931. 
DePauw, Linda Grant. Fortunes of War: New Jersey Women 
and the American RevolutioU:- Trenton, New Jersey: 
New Jersey Historical Commission, 1975. 
Dibdin, Thomas J. "News from the Nile, or Laurels from 
Egypt." Larpent MS 1227. Huntington Library. 
(Published as The Mouth of the Nile; or, the 
Glorious First""""'of August-.- Land~ J-.-Barker, 
1798.) 
Dictionary of National Biography, ed. Sidney Lee, 2nd ed. 
New~ork: MacMillan, 1906. 
Dix, E.R. McC. "Irish Provincial Printing Prior to 1701," 
The Library, New Series (Second), II (1901), pp. 
341-8. 
Dodge, R.E.N. "Spenser's Imitations from Ariosto," PMLA, 
XII (1897), pp. 190-5. 
Doggett, Marguerite. Long Island Printing 1791-1830. 
Brooklyn: Long Island Historical Society, 1979. 
Dorson, Richard. The British Folklorists: A History. 
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968 • 
Dowie, Menie Muriel, ed. Women Adventurers. London: T.F. 
Unwin, 1893. 
Dugaw, Dianne. "Disguised Women in Seventeenth-century 
Ballad, Chapbook, Pamphlet and Theatre," Folklore 
and Mythology Studies, II (1978), pp. 11-15. 
D'Urfe, ' Honore. Astrea. A Romance, Written in French and 
Translated by~ Person of Quality. 3 Vols. London: 
by W.W. for H. Moseley, T. Dring, and H. Herringman, 
1657 and 1658. 
Earle, Peter. The World of Defoe. London: Weiden£eld 
and Nicolson, 1976°:" 
Edwards, Charlene Frances. "The Tradition for Breeches 
in the Three Centuries that Professional Actresses 
have Played Male Roles on the English-speaking 
Stage" Diss. University of Denver 1957. 
1034 
Ellet, Elizabeth F. The Eminent and Heroic Women of 
America. New York: McMenamy, Hess, and Co., 
1873; rpt New York: Arno Press, 1974. 
Ellis, Havelock. Eonism and Other Supplementary Studies, 
Vol. VII in Studies in the Psychology of Sex. 
Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co., 1928. 
{Enlisted Branch Letters Received 3132 C (EB) 1884 Con-
cerning Franklin Thompson alias S.E.E. Seelye]. 
National Archives, Washington, D.C. 
Entwistle, William. European Balladry. Oxford: The 
Clarendon Press, 1939. 
Entwistle, William. "'La Dama de Aragon,'" Hispanic Re-
view, VI (1938), pp. 185-92. 
Erdoes, Richard. The Woman Who Dared. New York: Fawcett 
Gold Medal°"""iiooks, 1978. 
An essay £E_ the most effectual way~ recruit the army, 
and render it~ serviceable, by preventing 
desertion. Humbly offer'd to the consideration of 
the Parliament~ Great Britai~ !y_ a lover~ 
his country and the army. London: Printed for 
~Barker anclC. Kin~nd are to be sold by J. 
Morphew, 1707. 
"Extraordinary Circumstance," London Times, 9 February 
1835, p. 1, col. 5. 
Eyre, G.E. A Transcript of the Registers~ the Worshipful 
Company of Stationers; from 1640-1708 A.D. 3 Vols. 
London: --i,rivately Printed, 1913-14. 
Faderman, Lillian. Surpassing the Love~ Men: Romantic 
Friendship and Love between Women from the Ren-
aissance to"t:he~sent. New York--=--william Mor-
row and Company, Inc., 1981. 
Fawcett, F. Burlington. Broadside Ballads .£i. the Restora-
tion Period from the Jersey Collection Known As The 
Osterley Par'i.t'B'allads. London: John Lane, 1930-.~ 
The Female Marine, or Adventures of Miss Lucy Brewer. 5th 
ed. Boston: n.p., 1817. 
The Female Officer, or the Humours of the Army. Dublin: 
James Hoey, 176~ 
1035 
The Female Soldier; or, the surprising life and adventures 
of Hannah Snell.----Y:-ondon: R. Walker':-T750. 
Field, Nath[aniel]. Amends for the Ladies. London: Iol 
Okes, 1639. 
Fielding, Henry. Amelia in The Complete Works of Henry 
Fielding, ed. William Henley. New York=- Barnes 
and Noble, 1967. 
Finnegan, Ruth. Oral Poetry: Its Nature, Significance and 
Social Context. Cambridge: Cambridge University 
Press, 1977. 
Firth, C.H. Cromwell's Army: A History of the English 
Soldier during the Civil Wars, th~Commonwealth 
and the Protectorate. London: Methuen and Co. 
Ltd.:--T902. 
Fiske, Roger. English Theatre Music in the Eighteenth 
Century. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. 
Fitzgerald, Robert P. "The Wife's Lament and 'The Search 
for the Lost Husband'," Journal.£.!. English and 
Germanic Philology, LXIl (1963), pp. 769-77. 
Foxon, D.F. English Verse 1701-1750: A Catalogue.£.!. 
Separately Printed Poems with Notes on Contemporary 
Collected Editions. 2 Vo~ Cambridge: Cam-
bridge University Press, 1975. 
Fraser, Antonia. Royal Charles: Charles II and the Res-
toration. New York: Alfred A. Knopf:--T979. 
Fraser, C. Lovat. "Old Broadside Ballads Collected and 
Edited, with Reproductions in Facsimile, and 
Introduction," The Chapbook (A Monthly Miscellany), 
xv (1920), pp. 3-24. 
Fraser, John. 
York: 
The Humorous Chap-Books of Scotland. 
Henry L. Hinton, 1873. 
New 
Frazer, James George. The Golden Bough. New York: Mac-
millan, 1922; rpt"°"1951. 
Freeburg, Victor O. Disguise Plots in Elizabethan Drama. 
New York: Columbia University Press, 1915. 
Friedman, Adele C. "The Broadside Ballad Virago: E-
mancipated Women in British Working Class Litera-
ture," Journal of Popular Culture, XIII (1980), 
1036 
pp. 469-75. 
Friedman, Albert. The Ballad Revival: Sttidies in the 
Influence of Popular on Sophisticated PoetrY:-
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1961. 
Fritz, Paul and Richard Morton, eds. Woman in the Eight-
eenth Century and Other Essays. Toronto""and Sara-
sota: Samuel Stevens Hakkert and Co., 1976. 
Funk and Wagnall's Standard Dictionary£!. Folklore, Mytho-
logy and Legend, ed. Maria Leach. New York: 
Funk and Wagnalls, 1949; rpt 1971. 
Gagen, Jean E. 
Drama, 
1954. 
The New Woman: Her Emergence in English 
1600-1730. New York: Twayne Publishers, 
[General Information Index--Women Soldiers]. Box 33 of 
E-289. National Archives, Washington, D.C. 
Gent, Thomas. The Life of Mr. Thomas Gent, Printer of 
York, Writtenl>y~imself. London: Thomas Thorpe, 
1832. 
George, M. Dorothy, ed. 
Methuen and Co., 
England in Johnson's Day. 
Ltd., 1928. 
London: 
George, M. Dorothy. England in Transition: Life and 
Work in the Eighteenth Century. London: George 
Routledge and Sons, Ltd., 1931. 
George, M. Dorothy. English Social Life in the Eighteenth 
Century. London: The Sheldon Press, 1923. 
George, M. Dorothy. London Life in the Eighteenth Century. 
London: Kegan Paul, Trench,~ubner and Co., Ltd.; 
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1925. 
Gerring, Charles. Notes on Printers and Booksellers with 
a Chapter on Chap~ooks. London: Simpkin, Mar-
shall, Hamilton, Kent and Co.; Nottingham: Frank 
Murray, Regent House, 1900. 
Gilbert, O.P. Women in Men's Guise, trans. J. Lewis May. 
London: John---i:-ane The Bodley Head Limited, 1932. 
Glover, Richard. Peninsular Preparation: The Reform of 
the British Army 1795-1809. Cambridge: At th"e""° 
University Press, 1963. 
1037 
Greg, W.W. A Companion to Arber: Being A Calendar of 
Documents in Edward Arber's "Transcript of the 
Registers of the Company of Stationers of London 
1554-1640" With Text and Calendar of Supplementary 
Documents. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1967. 
Grout, Donald. A Short History~ Opera, 2nd ed. New 
York: Columbia University Press, 1965. 
Guffey, George Robert, ed. After the Tempest. Los 
Angeles: William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 
University of California, 1969. 
Habakkuk, H.J. "Marriage Settlements in the Eighteenth 
Century," Transactions of the Royal Historical 
Society, Fourth Series,~XXII (1950), pp. 15-27. 
Haec-Vir: Or the Womanish-Man: Being~ Answere to a 
late Booke intituled Hic-Mulier. London: ~rinted 
for I.T. [Trundle], 1620. 
Haller, W. and M. "The Puritan Art of Love," Huntington 
Library Quarterly, V (1942), pp. 235-72. 
Halliwell, James O. Notices~ Fugitive Tracts and 
Chapbooks Printed at Aldermary Churchyard, Bow 
Churchyard, etc. London: Richards, 1849. (Also in 
Early English Poetry, Ballads, and Popular Litera-
ture~ the Middle Ages, Vol. . London: Print-
ed for the Percy Society by Richards, 1851.) 
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York: New American Li-
brary, 1942; rpt 1969. 
Hansen, Marcus Lee. The Atlantic Migration 1607-1860: 
A History of the Continuing Settlement~ the 
United States. New York: Harper Torchbooks, 
1961. 
Hawkes, Terence. Structuralism and Semiotics. Berkeley: 
University of California~977. 
Hawkins, John Erskine. Source and Meaning in Spenser's 
Allegory: ! Study of "The Faerie Queene." 
Oxford: Clarendon, 1971. 
Hayles, Nancy K. "Sexual Disguise in 'As You Like It' 
and 'Twelfth Night'," Shakespeare Survey, XXXII 
(1979), pp. 63-72. 
1038 
Hazlitt, W. Carew. Handbook.!£. the Popular, Pdetical, 
and Dramatic Literattire of Great Britain from the 
Invention of Printing tothe Restoration.~ndon: 
John Russell Smith, 1867.~-
Heard, Priscilla S. American Music 1698~1800: An Anno-
tated Bibliography. Waco, Texas: Bayloz=-universi-
ty Press, 1975. 
Helmholz, R.H. Marriage Litigation in Medieval England. 
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974. 
Herrick, Marvin T. Tragicomedy: Its Origin and Develop-
ment in Italy, France, and England. Urbana: The 
University of Illinois Press, 1955. 
Heywood, Thomas. The Exemplary Lives and Memdrable Acts 
~Nine~ the Most Worthy Womenof the Worl~ 
London: Printed by Tho. Cotes for Richard 
Royston, 1640. 
Heywood, Thomas. rvva.V-\e(OV or, Nine Bookes of Various 
history. Concerning women. London: Printed by 
Adam Islip, 1624. 
Hie Mulier: Or, The Man-Woman: Being a Medicine to cure 
the colti~Disease ~ the Staggers in the Mas-
culine-Feminines of our Times. London: Printed 
for R. Meighen, 1620-.~ 
Highfill, Philip H., Jr. et al. ! Biographical Dictionary 
of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers 
and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660-1800. 
Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois 
University Press, 1973-8. 
Hill, Christopher. 
Revolution. 
1965. 
Intellectual Origins.£!_ the English 
Oxford: At the Clarendon Press, 
Hill, Christopher. Puritanism and Revolution. London: 
Secker and Warburg, 195~ 
Hill, Christopher. Society and Puritanism in Pre-Revo-
lutionary England. London: Secker----;l"nd Warburg, 
1964. 
Hill, Christopher. Some Intellectual Consequences of the 
English Revo~on. London: Weidenfeld an~ 
Nicolson, 1980. 
1039 
Hill, Christopher. The World Turned Upside Dawn. London: 
Temple Smith-;~New York: Viking, 19~ 
Hindley, Charles. The Catnach Press. London: Reeves and 
Turner, 186~ 
Hindley, Charles. Curiosities of Street Literature. Lon-
don: Reeves and Turner-,-1871. 
Hindley, Charles. The History~ the Catnach Press, at 
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick and Newcastle-upon-
Tyne, in Northumberland, and Seven Dials, London. 
London-;- Charles Hindley,~86; rpt Detroit: 
Singing Tree Press, 1968. 
Hindley, Charles. The Life and Times of James Catnach, 
(Late~ Seven Dials°'f:-Ballad Monger. London: 
Reeves and Turner, 1878; rpt Detroit: Singing 
Tree Press, 1968. 
The History and Lives of all the Most Notorious Pirates, 
and Their Crews':" ~ndon:~ Sabine, 1787. 
The History and Lives of all the Most Notorious Pirates, 
and their Crews. Worcest~ S. Gamidge; Kidder-
minster: Mr. Taylor; and Tewkesbury: S. Harward, 
n.d. 
The History of Argalus and Parthenia being A Choice Flower 
out~ Sir Philip Sidney[s] rare Garden. London: 
Aldermary Church-Yard, n.d. 
Hitchcock, Gordon. Folksongs of the West Country Collected 
~ Sabine Baring-Gould Annotated from the Manu-
scripts at Plymouth Library and With Additional 
Material. Newton Abbot: David and Charles, 1974. 
Hitchcock, H. Wiley. Music in the United States: 
troduction. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: 
tice-Hall, Inc., 1969. 
Hobson, Sarah. Masquerade: An Adventure in Iran. 
go: Academy Chicago Limited, 1979-.-
An In-
Pren-
Chica-
[Hodges, William]. Great Britain's Groans: or, An account 
£..!_ the oppression, ruin, and destruction of the 
loyal seamen E.f England, in the fatal loss~ their 
~' health and lives, and dreadful ruin~ their 
families. London: n.p., 1695. 
1040 
Hodson's Booksellers, Publishers and Stationers Directory 
1855: A Facsimile£.!. the~ iri the Bodleian 
Library, Oxford. Oxford: Oxford Bibliographical 
Society, 1972. 
[Hollingworth, Phil.] The History£.!. the Intrigues and 
Gallantries of Christina, Queen of Sweden and of 
Her Court, whilst she was at Rom~ London-:~ 
Richard Baldwin, 1697.~- -- -~-
Holmes, Thomas James and Gordon W. Thayer. English Ballads 
and Songs in the John G. White Collection£.!. Folk-
lore and Orientalia of the Cleveland Public Li-
"i>ra:ry and the Library°"of Western Reserve University. 
Cleveland: The Library Club, 1931. 
Hopkins, Charles. 
Warriour. 
Friendship Improv'd; or, the Female 
London: Tonson, 1700-.-
Howard, George Elliott. A History of Matrimonial Insti-
tutions. 3 Vols. Chicago:~University of Chi-
cago Press, 1904. 
Howe, Ellie, ed. The London Compositor: Documents Re-
lating.!£_ Wages, Working Conditions and Customs 
£.!. the London Printing Trade 1785-1900. London: 
Bibliographical Society, 1947. 
Hoy, Cyrus, ed. Bonduca in Vol. IV, ed. Fredson Bowers, 
The Dramatic Works in the Beaumont and Fletcher 
Canon. Cambridge: -Xt~e Universi~Press, 1979. 
Huguenin, Charles A. "Women in Blue and Gray," New York 
Folklore Quarterly, 17 (1961), pp. 36-50. 
Hume, Martin. Spanish Influence on English Literature. 
London: Eveleigh Nash, 1905. 
Hume, Robert D. The Development£.!. English Drama in the 
Late Seventeenth Century. Oxford: Clarendon-,~ 
1976. 
Humphreys, Arthur L. A Handbook.!.£. County Bibliography, 
Being A bibliography£.!. Bibliographies Relating 
to the Counties and Towns of Great Britain and 
Ireland. London-:~187 Piccadilly, 1917; rp-t~ 
London: Wm. Dawson and Sons Ltd., 1974. 
Hunt, C.J. The Book Trade in Northumberland and Durham 
to l860.~wcastlet1pon Tyne: Thorne's Students' 
Bookshop, Ltd., 1975. 
1041 
[Hurd, Richard]. Letters on Chivalry and Romance. London: 
A. Millar; and W. Thurlbourn a~J. Woodyer, in 
Cambridge, 1762; The Augustan Reprint Society 
Publication No. 101-102, William Andrews Clark 
Memorial Library, University of California, 1963. 
Hustvedt, Sigurd B. Ballad Books and Ballad Men: Raids 
and Rescues in Britain, America, and~e Scandi-
navian North~ince 1800. Cambridge, Massachusetts: 
Harvard University Press, 1930. 
Hustvedt, Sigurd B. Ballad Criticism in Scandinavia and 
Great Britain During the Eighteenth Century. 
New York: American-Scandinavian Foundation, 1916. 
"The Intrepid Female: Or, Surprising Life and Adventures 
of Mary-Anne Talbot, Otherwise John Taylor," in 
Kirby's Wonderful and Eccentric Museum, Vol. II. 
London: R.S. Kirb~1820, pp. 160-225. 
Irving, William Henry. John Gay's London Illustrated 
from the Poetry of the Time. Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts: Harvard University Press, 1928. 
Ives, Edward D. Joe Scott: The Woodsman-Songmaker. 
Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1978. 
Ives, Edward D. Larry Gorman: The Man Who Made the Songs. 
Bloomington, Indiana: 
1964. 
Indiana University Press, 
John Cheap The Chapman's Library: The Scottish Chap 
Literature £i_ Last Century, Classified. With the 
Life of Dougal Graham. Glasgow: Robert Lindse~ 
1877;"°""rpt Detroit: Singing Tree Press, 1968. 
Jones, 
Kanner, 
Ifano. A History £i_ Printing and Printers in 
Wales to 1810, and of Successive and Related 
Printers to 1923. Also, A History of Printing 
and Printers in Monmouthshire to 1923. Cardiff: 
William Lewis-,-Ltd., 1925. ~ ~~ 
Barbara, ed. The Women £i_ England from Anglo-
Saxon Times to the Present: Interpretive Biblio-
graphic Essays.~amden, Connecticutt: Archon 
Books, 1979. 
Karl, Frederick R. "Moll's Many-Colored Coat: Veil and 
Disguise in the Fiction of Defoe," Studies in the 
Novel, V (1973), pp. 86-97. 
1042 
I I 
Karpeles, Maud, ed. The Crystal Spring. Oxford: Oxford 
University Press, 1975. 
Katz, Jonathan. Gay American Histdry: Lesbians and Gay 
Men in th~.S.A. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 
1976-.-
[Kemble, John Philip]. "The Female Officer. 11 Larpent 
MS 441. Huntington Library. 
Ker, W.P. Epic and Romance. London, 1897; rpt New York: 
Dover:-1957. 
Kidson, Frank. "The Ballad Sheet and Garland," Journal 
of the Folk Song Society, II (1905), pp. 70-8. 
Kidson, Frank. British Music Publishers, Printers and 
Engravers: London, Provincial, Scottish, and 
Irish. New York: Benjamin Blom, 1900; rpt 1967. 
Knowler, William, ed. The Earl of Strafforde's Letters 
and Dispatches, with An Essay towards his Life 
by Sir George Radcliffe. 2 Vols. London: William 
Bowyer, 1739. 
Kostic, Veselin. Spenser's Sources in Italian Poetry: A 
Study in Comparative Literat~e. Belgrade: 
Facult;--de Philologie de l'Universite de Belgrade 
Monographies, Tome XXX, 1969. 
Lacy, Mary. The Female Shipwright: or, the Life and ex-
traordinary adventures of Mary Lacy. New York--;-
Printed for E. Duyckinck by G. Bunce, 1809. 
Lasch, Christopher. "The Suppression of Clandestine Mar-
riage in England: The Marriage Act of 1753," 
Salmagundi, XXVI (1974), PP• 90-109. 
Laslett, Peter. 
ations. 
1977. 
Family and Illicit Love in Earlier Gener-
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 
Laslett, Peter. Household and Family in Past Time. 
Cambridge: Cambrid~University Press-;--f972. 
Laslett, Peter, The World We Have Lost. London: Methuen 
and Co.,--r:t"d., 1965; rpt 1971. 
Laws, G. Malcolm, Jr. Native American Balladry: A Des-
criptive Study and A Bibliographical Syllabus. 
Philadelphia: Publications of the American Folk-
1043 
lore Society, Bibliographical Series, Vol. I, 
1950. 
LeGates, Marlene. "The Cult of Womanhood in Eighteenth-
century Thought," Eighteenth Century Studies, X 
(1976), pp. 21-39. 
LeMoyne, Peter. The Gallery of Heroick Women, trans. 
Marquesse<Jf Winchester. London: Printed by 
R. Norton for H. Seile, 1652. 
Lerner, Gerda. The Female Experience: An American Docu-
mentary.~-Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1977-.~-
Lewis, Michael. The Navy in Transition 1814-1864: A 
Social Histor~London: Hodder and Stoughton, 
1965. 
Lewis, Michael. 
trait. 
1948. 
Lewis, Michael. 
London: 
The Navy~ Britain, A Historical Por-
London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd-.-,-
! Social History~ the Navy 1793-1815. 
George Allen and Unwin Ltd., 1960. 
The Life and Adventures of Mrs. Christian Davies. London: 
~~R~ontagu, 1740-.-
Lives of Most Remarkable Female Robbers. Written by 
Captain Johnson. London: T. Maiden, 1801-.-
Livingston, Carole R. "The Provenance of Three Early 
Broadsheets," The Library, Sixth Series, II 
(1980), pp. 53-60. 
Lloyd, A.L. Folk Song in England. New York: 
tional Publishers, 1967; rpt 1970. 
Interna-
Lloyd, Christopher. The British Seaman 1200~1860: A 
Social Survey-.~London: Collins, 1968. 
Lloyd, Christopher. The Nation and the Navy: A History 
of Naval Life and Policy. London: The Cresset 
Press, 19~ 
Loftis, John. The Spanish Plays of Neoclassical England. 
New Haven: Yale University Press, 1973. 
Loftis, John, David Stuart Rodes and Vinton A. Dearing, 
eds. The Works of John Dryden, Vol. XI. Berkeley, 
Los Angeles and London: University of California 
1044 
Press, 1978. 
Lord, Albert B. The Singer of Tales. New York: Atheneum, 
1974. 
Lord, George deF., ed. Poems on Affairs of State: 
~ Satirical Verse, 1660-1714. New Haven: 
Augus-
Yale 
University Press, 1963-75. 
"Love and Honor; Or, Britannia in Full Glory at Spithead." 
Larpent MS 1022. Huntington Library. 
MacKellar, Thomas. The American Printer: A Manual of 
Typography. Philadelphia: MacKellar, Smith-;-
and Jordon, 1885; rpt Nevada City, California: 
Harold A. Berliner, 1977. 
Malcolm, James Peller. Anecdotes of the Manners and 
Customs of London During the Eighteenth Century. 
London: Longman, Hurst, Reese and Orme, 1808. 
Malcolmson, Robert W. Popular Recreations in English 
Society 1700-1850. Cambridge: At the University 
Press, 1973. 
[Mann, Herman]. The Female Review: or, memoirs E..!:. an 
American Young lady. Dedham [Massachusetts]: 
Nathanial and Benjamin Heaton,[1797]; rpt 
Boston: J.K. Wiggin and W.P. Lunt, 1866; rpt 
Tarrytown, New York: W. Abbatt, 1916. 
Mason, Shirlene. Daniel Defoe and the Status of Women. 
St. Alban's, Vermont: Eden~ess, 197a":" 
Mayhew, Henry. London Labour and the London Poor. 4 
Vols. London: Griffin:-Bohn, and Company, 1861-2; 
rpt New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1968. 
Maxted, Ian. The London Book Trades 1775-1800: 
limina~Checklis~ Members. London: 
1977. 
A Pre-
Dawson, 
McCormack, "America's Fighting Females: Annies Who Got 
Their Guns," Los Angeles Times, 
Section V, pp.--ro-11. 
29 February 1980, 
McDonald, Margaret. The Independent Woman in the Res-
toration Comedy of Manners. New Jersey: Humani-
ties, 1976. 
McGuffie, T.H. Rank and File: The Cdmmon Sdldier at 
1045 
Peace and War 1642-1914. London: Hutchinson, 
1964. 
Medlicott, Alexander, Jr., ed. The Female Marine; or 
Adventures of Miss Lucy Brewer. New York: Da 
Capo Press,-Y9~ 
Mish, Charles C., ed. Short Fiction of the Seventeenth 
Century. New York: W.W. Norton-:-T968. 
Moore, John. "The Canon of Defoe's Writings," The Library, 
Fifth Series, XI (1956), pp. 155-69. 
Moore, John W. Moore's Historical, Biographical, and 
Miscellaneous Gatherings, in the Form~ Dis-
connected Notes Relative!£ Printers, Printing, 
Publishing, and Editing~ Books, Newspapers, 
Magazines, and other Litera.ry Productions, such 
~ the early Publications of New England, the 
United States, and the World, from the Discovery 
of the Art, or from 1420 to 1886: With Many Brief 
Notices of Authors, Publishers, Editors, Printers, 
and Inventors. Concord, New Hampshire: The Re-
publican Press Association, 1886. 
Morgan, Paul, ed. Warwickshire Printers' Notices 1799-
1866. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1970. 
Morrison, Paul G. Index of Printers, Publishers and 
Booksellers in Donald Wing's Short-Title Catalogue 
~ Books Printed in England, Scotland, Ireland, 
Wales, and British America and Of English Books 
Printed in Other Countries 1641-1700. Charlottes-
ville: University of Virginia Press, 1955. 
Mughouse Diversions. Or, A Collection~ Loyal Prologues, 
and Songs Spoke and Sung~ the Mughouses. Most 
of Which were never~ printed. London: S. 
Popping, 1717. 
Muir, P.H. Catnachery. San Francisco: The Book Club of 
Murphy, 
California, 1955. 
Susanne. "Love and War in Spenser's The Faerie 
~ueene," in Eterne in Mutabilite: The Unity~ 
'The Faerie Queene," ed. Kenneth John Atchity. 
Hamden, Connecticutt: Archon, 1972. 
Nathan, Hans. Dan Emmet and the Rise of Early Negro 
Minstrelsy. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 
1962. 
1046 
The National Cyclopedia 5:i_ American Biography. Clifton, 
New Jersey: James T. White and Co., 1979. 
Neuburg, Victor E. Chapbooks: A Bibliography of Refer-
ences~ English and American Chapbook Literature 
~ the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. 
London: The Vine Press, 1964. 
Neuburg, Victor E. "The Dicey's and the Chapbook Trade," 
The Library, Fifth Series, XXIV (1969), pp. 219-31. 
Neuburg, Victor E. "The Literature of the Streets," in 
eds. H.J. Dyas and Michael Wolff, The Victorian 
City: Images and Realities. 2 Vols. London and 
Boston: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973, Vol. I, 
pp. 191-209. 
Neuburg, Victor E. The Penny Histories: A Study of Chap-
books for Young Readers over Two Centuries. Ox-
ford: Oxford University PresS:-1968; rpt New York: 
Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc., 1969. 
New York Public Library Reference Department Dictionary 
---Catalogue £i_ the Music Collection, Vol. IX. 
Boston: G.K. Hall, 1964. 
Novak, Maximillian E. Defoe and the Nature of Man. Ox-
ford: Oxford University Press, 1963-.-
Novak, Maximillian E., ed. English Literature in the Age 
£f Disguise. Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: 
University of California Press, 1977. 
Novak, Maximillian E. "Margery Pinchwife's 'London Di-
sease': Restoration Comedy and the Libertine 
Offensive of the 1670's," Studies in the Literary 
Imagination, X (1977), pp. 1-23. 
Nuttall, Derek. ! History.£!_ Printing in Chester from 
1688 to 1965. Chester: Published by the Author, 
1969.-
Ohrlin, Glenn. The Hell-Bound Train: A Cowboy Songbook 
with a Biblio-Discography by Harlan Daniel. Ur-
bana:- University of Illinois, 1973. 
Oul ton, Wally C. "The Irish Tar; or, Which is the Girl." 
Larpent MS 1178. Huntington Library. 
Partridge, Edward, ed. Ben Jonson: Epicoene. New Haven: 
Yale University Press, 1971. 
1047 
Paul, Mrs. Almira. The Surprising Adventures of Almira 
Paul. Boston: M. Brewster, 1819. 
Peacock, Kenneth. Twenty Ethnic Songs from Western Canada. 
Ottawa: National Museum of Canada Bulletin No. 
211, Anthropological Series No. 76, 1966. 
Peavy, Charles D. "The Chimerical Career of Charlotte 
Charke," Restoration and Eighteenth Century 
Theatre Research, VIII (1969), pp. 1-12. 
Pendred, John. The London and Country Printers, Booksel-
lers and Stationers Vade Mecum. London: Pendred, 
1785;-;pt, ed. Graham Pollard, Bibliographical 
Society, 1955. 
Pepys, Samuel. The Diary~ Samuel Pepys, eds. Robert 
Latham and William Matthews. 11 Vols. Berkeley 
and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 
1970-6. 
Philo-nauticus [L.H. Halloran]. The Female Volunteer, or 
the Dawning~ Peace. n.p.: T. Smeeton, 1801.~ 
Pigler, A. Barockthemen eine Auswahl von Verzeichnissen 
~ Ikonographie des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts. 
3 Vols. Budapest: Akademiai Kiado, 1974. 
Pills~ Purge State-Melancholy. 2 Vols. London: J. 
Graves, 1715; rpt 1718. 
Pinto, Vivian de Sola and Alan E. Redway. The Common 
Muse: An Anthology of Popular British Ballad 
Poetry XVth-XXth Century. London: Chatto and 
Windus, 1957. 
Plomer, H.R. "The Booksellers of London Bridge," The 
Library, New Series (Second), IV (1904), pp-:---Z-8-
46. 
Plomer, Henry R. A Dictionary of the Booksellers and 
Printers Who Were at Work ~England, Scotland 
and Irelaricl"f°rc:>n11641""tc:,"1667. London: Blades, 
East and Blades, 1907.~ · 
Plomer, Henry R., with the help of H.G. Aldis, E.R. McC. 
Dix, G.J. Gray and R.B. McKerrow. ed. Arundel! 
Esdaile. A Dictionary of the Printers and Book-
sellers who were at Work in England, Scotland 
and Ireland from 1668 to 1725. Oxford: Oxford 
University Press,""""T9z2-.-
1048 
Plamer, H.R., G.H. Bushnell, E.R. McC. Dix. A Dictionary 
of the Printers and Booksellers Who Wer~ at Work 
in England, Scotlcind and Ireland from 1726 t-;;--
1775. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1932. 
Plamer, Henry R. ! Short History £f English Printing 
1476-1900. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner 
and Co., Ltd., 1915. 
"Police," London Times, 11 February 1835, p. 6, col. 5 . 
., 
Prechac, Jean de. The Heroine Musqueteer, or the female 
warrier. London: For J. Magnes an-a-R~entley 
and R. Tonson, 1678-79. 
Propp, Vladimir. Morphology £f the Folktale, trans. Lau-
rence Scott, rev. ed. Austin: University of 
Texas Press, 1968. 
"Provincial Booksellers," Notes and Queries, Series Ten, 
V, pp. 141, 183, 242, and---z:T5. 
Provincial Printing and Publishing in Great Britain: An 
Annotated Catalogue £f ! Collection of Books and 
Related Material: With A Reprint £f Power's 
Checklist of First Printings. York, Hull, and 
She f f i e 1 d : -n . p . [ 1 9 7 9 ] • 
Quarles, Francis. Argalus and Parthenia, 3rd ed. London: 
John Marriott, n.d.--cTst ed., 1628) 
Quennell, Marjorie and C.H.B. A History £f Everyday 
Things in England. New-York: Charles Scribner's 
Sons, [1918]. 
Reiter, Rayna R., ed. Toward an Anthropology £f Women. 
New York and London: Monthly Review Press, 1975. 
A Relation of the Life~ Christina Queen .2i_ Sweden: With 
Her Resignation~ the Crown, trans. by I.H. 
London: Printed by J.C. for Henry Fletcher, 
1656. 
Richards, Eric. "Women in the British Economy since about 
1700: An Interpretation," History, 59 (1974), 
pp. 337-57. 
Richardson, Samuel. Pamela. 2 Vols. London: J.M. 
Dent and Sons, Ltd.,; New York: Dutton and Co., 
Inc., 1914; rpt 1961. 
1049 
Roberts, Warren E. "Ballad Themes in The Fair Maid of 
the West," Journal of American. Fo1klore,""""'ixvrrr 
(19-51'-:-pp. 19-23. 
Robinson, John W. Theatrical Street Ballads: Some Nine-
-- --teenth-Century Street Ballads about the Theatre. 
London: The Society for Theatre Research, 1971. 
Roche, Thomas P., Jr. The Kindly Flame: A Study £i_ the 
Third and Fourth Books £i_ Spenser's "Faerie 
Queene-:-rr- Princeton: Princeton University Press, 
1964. 
Rogers, Colonel H.C.B. The British Army £i. the Eighteenth 
Century. London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd., 
1977. 
Rollins, Hyder E. "The Black-Letter Broadside Ballad," 
PMLA, XXXIV (1919), pp. 258-339. 
Rollins, Hyder E. "Martin Parker, Ballad Monger," Modern 
Philology, XVI (1919), pp. 113-38. 
Rollins, Hyder E. "Martin Parker: Additional Notes," 
Modern Philology, XIX (1921), pp. 77-81. 
Rollins, Hyder, ed. The Pack £i_ Autolycus. Cambridge, 
Massachusetts-:-Harvard University Press, 1927. 
Rollins, Hyder, ed. ~ Pepysian Garland: Black-Letter 
Broadside Ballads £i_ the Years 1595-1639 Chiefly 
from the Collection £i_ Samuel Pepys. Cambridge: 
At the University Press, 1922. 
Rollins, Hyder E. "William Elderton: Elizabethan Actor 
and Ballad-writer," Studies in Philology, XVII 
(1920), pp. 199-245. 
Rosenbach, A.S.W. Early American Children's Books with 
Bibliographical Descriptions .£i. the Books in 
his Private Collection. Portland, Maine: 
Southworth Press, 1933. 
Rostenberg, Leona, ed. Literary, Political, Scientific, 
Religious and Legal Publishing, Printing and 
Bookselling in England, 1551-1700: Twelve 
Studies. 2 Vols. New York: Burt Franklin, 1965. 
Roth, Klaus. "The Female Soldier (DVldr. 95ff.). Analyse 
der deutschen Ballade auf konfliktbildende Situ-
ationen, thematische Einheiten, Szenen und Motive," 
1050 
unpublished paper read at 4. Arbeitstagung Uber 
Fragen des Typenindex der europlischen vom 21. 
bis 23. August, 1971 (Freiburg 1972), pp. 58-65. 
Rowbotham, Commander W.B., R.N. "Soldiers' and Seamen's 
Wives and Children in H.M. Ships," Mariner's 
Mirror, XLVII (1961), pp. 42-8. 
Sandoe, James. "Some Notes on the Plays of T.J. Dibdin," 
University of Colorado Studies, Series B, L (1940), 
pp. 205-20 .-
Sandys, George. Ovids Metamorphosis. London: By J.L. 
for A. Hebb, 1640. 
A Scheme, l· To raise immediately fifty~ sixty thousand 
men without any expense~ the government, any 
detriment~ trade, or the liberty~ the Subject. 
Q• To raise by easy methods,~ large sum like-
wise immediately, in order~ augment our~-
forces. III. To Suppress at~ the smugglers, 
~~~afford~ great advantage~ the fair 
dealer, and increase the custdm~house revenues. In 
a letter~ a member of Parliament • .!?..Y. Nicholas-
MachiavelTI,-esqu. [London]: C. Corbet, 1747. 
Scholes, Robert. Structuralism in Literature. New Haven: 
Yale University Press, 1974. 
Scholes, Robert and Robert Kellogg. The Nature of Narra-
tive. London, Oxford, and New York: Oxford Uni-
versity Press, 1966. 
Schulz, Ernst. Die englischen Schwankbllcher bis herab zu 
Dobson's Drie Bobs. Berlin: Mayer and Milller-,-
1912. 
[Scudery, Madeline de]. Les Femmes Illustres or the Her-
oick Harrangues of the Illustrious Women, trans. 
James Innes. Edinburgh: Printed by Thomas 
Brown, James Glen, and John Weir, 1681. 
Seemann, Von Erich. "Die Gestalt des kriegerischen 
M!ldchens in den europHischen Volksballaden," 
Rheinisches Jahrbuch filr Volkskunde, 10 (1959), 
pp. 192-212. 
Senelick, Laurence. "A Brief Life and Times of the 
Victorian Music-Hall," Harvard Library Bulletin, 
XIX (1971), pp. 375-98. 
1051 
Senelick, Laurence, David Cheshire, and Ulrich Schneider. 
British Music-hall, 1840-1923: A Bibliography 
and Guide~ Sources, with~ Supplement~ 
European Music Hall. Hamden, Connecticutt: Archon, 
1981. 
Sessions, William K. and Margaret. Printing in York from 
the 1490s to the Present Day. York: \Jilliam~~ 
Sessions, Ltd-.-,-1976. ~-
Shepard, Leslie. The Broadside Ballad: ! Study in Origins 
and Meaning. London: Herbert Jenkins, Ltd., 1962; 
rpt Hatboro, Pennsylvania: Legacy Books, 1978. 
Shepard, Leslie. The History~ Street Literature: The 
Story~ Broadside Ballads, Chapbooks, Proclama-
tions, News-Sheets, Election Bills, Tracts, 
Pamphlets, Cocks, Catchpennies, and Other Ephemera. 
Newton Abbot: David and Charles, 1973. 
Shepard, Leslie. John Pitts, Ballad Printer of Seven Dials, 
London 176"s-T844 with a Short account()f his Pre-
decessors in the Ba11ad and Chapbook Trade:- Lon-
don: Private Libraries Association, 1969. 
Sherbo, Arthur. English Sentimental Drama. East Lansing: 
Michigan State University Press, 1957. 
Sherburn, George. The Restoration and Eighteenth Century, 
Vol. III in Albert Baugh, e~ Literary History£!. 
England. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 
1948. 
Sheridan, Richard B. "The Camp." Larpent MS 457. Hun-
tington Library. 
Shields, Hugh. "Some'Songs and Ballads in Use in the 
Province of Ulster. 1845'," Ulster Folklife, 
XVII (1971), pp. 3-24. 
"Ship News," London Times, 4 November 1799, p. 3, col. 4. 
"Ship News," London Times, 10 February 1835, p. 4, col. 2. 
Shipton, Clifford K. Isgiah Thomas: Printer, Patriot and 
Philanthropist, 1749-1831. Rochester, New York-:~ 
Leo Hart, 1948. 
[Siddons, Leonora]. The Female Warrior. New York: E.E. 
Barclay, 1843-.~ 
1052 
Sidney, Sir Philip. The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia, 
ed. Albert Feuillerat. Cambridge: At the Uni-
versity Press, 1939. 
Singleton, Robert R. "English Criminal Biography, 1651-
1722," Harvard Library Bulletin, XVIII (1970), 
pp. 63-83. 
[Smith, Melita C.]. Irregular Border Marriages by "Claver-
House." Edinburgh and London: The Moray Press, 
1934. 
Smollett, Tobias. The Adventures of Roderick Random, ed. 
Paul-Gabrie~oncJ. Oxford: Oxford University 
Press, 1979. 
Speaight, George, ed. Professional and Literary Memoirs 
~ Charles Dibdin the Younger, Dramatist and Up-
ward of Thirty Years Manager~ Minor Theatres. 
Londo°ii: Society for Theatre Research, 1956. 
Spenser, Edmund. The Faerie Queene, ed. A.C. Hamilton. 
London and"rfew York: Longman, 1977. 
Sperry, Mrs. Rachel. A Brisk Reply!£_ the Late Writings 
of Louisa Baker. Boston: Brewster, 1816. 
Stenton, Doris Mary. The English Woman in History. Lon-
don: George Allen and Unwin Ltd:-;- 1957; rpt 
New York: Schocken Books, 1977. 
Stone, Lawrence. The Family, Sex and Marriage in England 
1500-1800.~ew York, Hagerstown, &c.: Harper 
and Row, 1977. 
Strong, Ja. Joanereidos: or Feminine Valour discovered 
in Westerne Women. ~[London: n.p.], 1645. 
Strutt, Joseph. The Sports and Pastimes~ the People 
~ England, with Additions and Copious Index E.X_ 
William Hone. London: William Tegg and Co., 
1875. 
Stryker-Rodda, Harriet. "Militia Women of 17 80 Monmouth 
County, New Jersey," Daughters~ the American 
Revolution Magazine, CXIII (1979), pp. 308-12. 
Suffolk, Henrietta, Countess of. Letters. 2 Vols. 
London: J. Murray, 1824. 
1053 
Supplement~ the Bibliotheca Americana. New York: George 
Putnam, 1850. 
The Surprising Adventures of Almira Paul. Boston: N. 
Coverly, Jr., 1816. 
"The Surprising Adventures of Almira Paul," in The Cabin 
Boy Wife. New York: C.E. Daniels, 1840:-
The Surprising Life and Adventures E_! Hannah Sn.ell Alias 
James Gray;£!. the Female Warrior. York: J. 
Kendrew, 1809. 
Sydney, William Connor. The Early Days of the Nin.e:te:enth 
Century in England, 1800-1820. Y-vols. London: 
George Redway, 1898. 
II 
Swahn, Jan-Ojvind. The Tale of Cupid and Psyche. Lund: 
CWK Gleerup,-r§°5-5-.~ 
Swetnam, Joseph. The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, 
and unconstant Women. London~y ~llde for 
r:-Archer, 1615. 
Swetnam, the Woman-Hater Arraigned by Women. London: 
printed for R. Meighen, 1620. 
Tasso, Torquato. Jerusalem Delivered, trans. Edward Fair-
fax. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois 
University Press, 1962. 
Tate, Nahum. A Present for the Ladies Being An Historical 
Account of Several Illustrious Persons of the 
Female Sex, 2nd ed. London: Francis Saunders, 
1693. 
Taylor, Gordon Ratray. The Angel Makers: A Study in the 
Psychological Origins E_! Historical Change. New 
York: E.P. Dutton, 1974. 
Thespian Dictionary; or, Dramatic Biography£! the Eight-
eenth Century. London: T. Hurst, 1802. 
Thomas, Isaiah. The History£! Printing in America. With 
A Biography E_! Printers, and~ Account E_! News-
papers. To which is Prefixed a Concise View of 
the Discovery and Progress£!. the Art inc>t'"her 
Parts of the World. 2 Vols. Worcester, Massa-
chusetts:~-Isaiah Thomas, 1810. 
Thomas, K.V. "Women in the Civil War Sects," Past and 
1054 
Present, XIII (1958), pp. 42-62. 
Thompson, C.J.S. The: Mysteries of Sex: Women Who Posed 
as Men: and Men: Who Impersonated Women. n.p.: 
Causeway13ooks,--yg74. 
Thompson, Denys. Change and Tradition in Rural England: 
Ari Anthology of Writings on Country Life. Cam-
bridge: Cambridge University Press, 1980. 
Thompson, E.P. "The Grid of Inheritance: A Comment," in 
Jack Goody, Joan Thirsk, and E.P. Thompson, 
Family and Inheritance: Rtiral So~iety in Western 
Europe.~-Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1976, 
pp. 349-58. 
Thompson, E.P. The Making of~ English Working Class. 
London: Victor Gollancz, Ltd., 1963. 
Thompson, Roger. "Samuel Pepys's Penny Merriments: A 
Checklist," The Library, Fifth Series, XXXI (1976), 
pp. 223-34. 
Thompson, Roger. Women in Stuart England and America. 
London: Routledge and Kegan Paul,°J:974. 
Thompson, Stith. The Folktale. New York: Holt, Rine-
hart and Winston, 1946. 
Thompson, Stith. Motif-Index of Folk-Literature. 6 Vols. 
Bloomington, Indiana: -Yndiana University Press, 
1955-8. 
Thomson, Robert S. "The Development of the Broadside 
Ballad Trade and Its Influence upon the Trans-
mission of English Folksongs" Diss. Cambridge 
University 1974. 
Todd, William B. A Directory of Printers and Others in 
Allied Trades London and Vicinity 1800-1840. 
London: Printing Historical Society, 1972. 
Traill, H.D. and J.S. Martin, eds. Social England; A 
Record~ the Progress of the People in Religion, 
Laws, Learning, Arts, Industry, Commerce, Science, 
Literature and Manners, from the Earliest Times to 
the Present Day. 6 Vols~ondon, New York, &c.~ 
Cassell and Co., Ltd., 1902-4. 
Turberville, A.S. English Men and Manners in the Eight-
eenth Century, 2d e~ Oxford: Clarendon Press, 
1929. 
1055 
Turner, J. Horsfall. Halifax Books and Authors. 
ford: Privately P.rinted, 1906. 
Brad-
Turner, Robert K., ed. Th~ Fair Maid of th~ West, Part!, 
by Thomas Heywoo~ Lincoln: University of Ne-
braska Press, 1967. 
Uffenbach, Zacharias Konrad von. London in 1710, 
and ed. W.H. Quarrell and Margaret Mare. 
Faber and Faber, Ltd., 1934. 
trans. 
London: 
Ulrich, Homer and Paul A. Pisk. A History of Music and 
Musical Style. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovano-
vich, Inc., 1963. 
Unpublished Papers presented to UCLA Ballad Seminars, 
1972-6. UCLA Folklore Archive. 
Velazquez, Loreta Janeta. The Woman in Battle, ed. C.J. 
Worthington. Hartford: T. Belknap, 1876. 
Vicinus, Martha. The Industrial Muse: A Study of Nine-
teenth Centtiry British Working-Class Literature. 
London: Croom Helm, 1974. 
Vopiscus, Flavius. Vita Divi Aur~liana in Izvoarde Istori-
ei Rom~nilor-:---rx,~ G. Popa-Lisseanu. Bucuresti: 
Tipografia "Bucovina," I.E. Torontiu, 1936. 
Wall, Thomas. The Sign£..!_ Doctor Hay's Head. Dublin: 
M.H. Gill and Son, 1958. 
"War Department Letter from the Adjutant General's Office 
to Mr. John Hix" in [General Information Index--
Women Soldiers], Box 33 of E 289. National 
Archive, Washington, D.C. 
[Webb, Mrs. Eliza (Bowen)]. The Adventures of Louisa 
Baker, whose Life and---ai:"aracter are Peculiarly 
distinguished~ew York: Luther Wales, [1815]. 
[Webb, Mrs. Eliza (Bowen)]. The Adventures£..!_ Lucy Brew-
er (alias) Louisa Baker':'° Boston: E. Trumbull, 
1815. 
[Webb, Eliza (Bowen)]. An Affecting Narrative£..!_ Louisa 
Baker. Boston: Nathaniel Caverly, Jr., 1815. 
[Webb, Mrs. Eliza (Bowen)]. The F~male Marine, or ad-
ventures£..!_ Miss Lucy Brewer. Boston: ri":'"p-=-:- 1816. 
1056 
Webster, Graham. Boudica: The British Revolt Against 
Rome A.D. 60. London:"° B.T. Batsford Ltd., 
1978.-
Weiner, Annette B. Women of Value, Mert of Renown: New 
Perspectives.in Trtibriand Exchange. Austin and 
London: University of Texas Press, 1976. 
Weiss, Harry. A Book About ·cha~books: The People's Lit-
erature.£!_ Bygone Times. Trenton, New Jersey: 
Privately Printed, 1942; rpt Hatboro, Pennsylvania: 
Folklore Associates, 1969. 
Weiss, Harry B. "A Catalogue of the Chapbooks in the New 
York Public Library," Bulletin of the New York 
Public Library, XXXIX (1935), pp. 3-34; rpt New 
York: New York Public Library, 1936. 
Welsh, C. and W.H. Tillinghast. A Catalogue of English and 
American Chapbooks and Broadsides in Harvard College 
Library. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Library of 
Harvard University, 1905; rpt Detroit: Singing 
Tree Press, 1968. 
West, Mrs. Lucy (Late Miss Lucy Brewer). The Awful Beacon, 
To the Rising Generation of Both Sexes. Boston: 
N°:"" Caverly, jr., 1816. ~ ~~ 
Western, J.R. The English Militia in the Eighteenth Cen-
tury: The Story of A Political Issue 1660-1802. 
London:~outledg~and Kegan Paul, 1965. 
White, Rev. E.A. and Margaret Dean-Smith. An Index of 
Songs Contributed.!£. "The Journal of the Folk=song 
Society" and its Continuation "The Journal of the 
English Folk Dance and Song Society".!£. 1950. 
London: E.F.D.S.S., 1951. 
Whitten, Jeanne Patten. "Fannie Hardy Eckstorm: A Des-
criptive Bibliography," Northeast Folklore, XVI; 
rpt Orono, Maine: The University Press for the 
Northeast Folklore Society, 1976. 
Who Was Who in America. Historical Volume 1607-1896, rev. 
ed. Chicago: A.N. Marquis, 1967. 
The Whole Life and Death of Long Meg of Westminster. 
London:---Xldermar~Church-Yar~Bow Lane, n.d. 
The Widow in Masquerade; or the female warrior. Northamp-
to~[Massachusetts]:~p., 1809. 
1057 
Wiles, R.M. Freshest Advi~es: Early Provincial News-
papers in England. [ Col um bus, Ohio] : Ohio State 
University Press, 1965. 
Wilgus, D.K. Anglo-American Folksong Scholarship Since 
1898. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers Uni-
versity Press, 1959. 
Wilgus, D.K. "An Introduction to the Study of Hillbilly 
Music," Journal of American Folklore, LXXVIII 
(1965), pp. 195-203. 
Wilgus, D.K. "Tension of Essences in 'Murdered Sweet-
heart Ballads'." Unpublished paper read at the 
California Folklore Society meeting, April 1977. 
Wilgus, D.K. "A Type-Index of Anglo-American Traditional 
Narrative Songs," Journal of the Folklore Insti-
tute, VII (1970), pp. 161-76.~-
Wilgus, D.K. "The Wilgus-Long System of Ballad Classifi-
cation: A Continuing Revaluation." Unpublished 
paper read at 5. Arbeitstagung Uber Fragen des 
Typenindex der europHischen Volksballaden vom 
20. bis August 1972 in Skofja Loka, Jugoslawien. 
Wilson, F.P. "The English Jestbooks of the Sixteenth 
and Early Seventeenth Centuries," Huntington 
Library Quarterly, II (1938), pp. 121-58. 
Wilson, J. The British Heroine: or, An Abridgement of 
the Life and adventures of Mrs. Christian Davis. 
London: for T. Cooper, 174Z:-
Woodward, Helen Beal. The Bold Women. New York: Farrar, 
Straus and Youn~1953. 
Working Papers for An Historical Directory~ the West 
Midlands Book Trade to 1850, Vols. 1-3. 
Birmingha~Birmingham Bibliographical Society, 
1977. 
Wright, A.R. British Calendar Customs. 3 Vols. London: 
William Glaisher, Ltd., 1936-40. 
Wright, Celeste Turner. "The Amazons in Elizabethan 
Literature, 11 Studies in Philology, XXXVII (1940), 
pp. 433-56. 
Wright, Herbert G., ed. Forty-Six Lives TratiSlated from 
1058 
Boccaccio's "De Cla:ris Mulieribus" .!?_y Henry Parker, 
Lord Morley. London: Published for the Early 
English Text Society by Humphrey Milford, Oxford 
University Press, 1943. 
Wright, Louis B. Middl~-Class Cultuie in Elizabethan 
England. Chapel Hill: University of North 
Carolina Press, 1935. 
Wright, Richardson. Forgotten Ladies: Nine Portraits from 
the American Family Album. Philadelphia and 
London: J.B. Lippincott, 1928. 
Wroth, Warwick, F.S.A. The London Pl~~sure G~rdens of 
the Eighteenth ceritury. London: MacMillan and 
Co., Ltd., 1896. 
1059