X:1
T:The Cruel Ship's Carpenter
B:Everyman's Book Of Brittish Ballads, Roy Palmer
F: http://www.folkinfo.org/songs
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:F
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w:In fair Worcest-er town and in fair Worces -ter-
F6G2|(A2G2)A2B2|c4c2E2|G4(F E) D2|
w:shire A beau -ti-ful dam-sel she once li -ved
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w:there. A young man he cour-ted her all for to be his
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w:dear,* And he* by his trade* was a ships's car-pen-ter.
W:In fair Worcester town and in fair Worcestershire
W:A beautiful damsel she once lived there.
W:A young man he courted her all for to be his dear,
W:And he by his trade was a ship's carpenter.
W:
W:Early one morning before it was day,
W:He went to his Polly, these words he did say:
W:'O Polly, O Polly, you must go with me,
W:Before we are married my friends for to see.'
W:
W:He led her through woods and through valleys so deep,
W:Which caused this poor maiden to sigh and to weep:
W:'O Billy, O Billy, you have led me astray
W:On purpose my innocent life to betray.
W:
W:'O Billy, O' Billy, Oh pardon my life,
W:I never will covet for to be your wife;
W:I'll travel the whole world to set myself free,
W:If you will pardon my baby and me.'
W:
W:'There's no time for pardon, there's no time to save,
W:For all the night long I've been digging your grave.
W:Your grave is now open and the spade is standing by';
W:Which caused this young damsel to weep and to cry.
W:
W:He covered her up so safe and secure,
W:Thinking no one could find her, he was sure.
W:Then he went on board to sail the world round,
W:before the murder could ever be found.
W:
W:Early one morning before it was day,
W:The captain he came up and these words he did say:
W:'There's a murderer on board and he must be known.
W:Our ship is in mourning, we cannot sail on.'
W:
W:Then up steps the first man, 'I'm sure it's not me';
W:Then up steps the second, 'I'm sure it's not me';
W:Then up steps bold William to stamp and to swear:
W:'I'm sure it's not me sir. I vow and declare.'
W:
W:Now as he was turning from captain with speed,
W:He meet with his Polly, which made his heart bleed.
W:She ripped him and tore him, she tore him in three,
W:Because that he murdered her baby and she.