English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians

122 Songs and Ballads, and 323 Tunes With Lyrics & sheet Music - online book

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The Cruel Ship's Carpenter
3   O William, sweet William, 0 William, said she, I fear your intention is for to murder me
0  Polly, 0 Polly, you have guessed about right,
1  was digging your grave the best part of last night.
4  They went on a little farther and she began to shy. She saw her grave dug and the spade a-sitting by.
She threw her arms around him, saying: I am in no fear. How can you kill a poor girl that loves you so dear ?
5   O Polly, O Polly, we have no time for to stand. He drew his revolver all out in his hand.
He shot her through the heart which caused the blood to flow, And into her grave her fair body he did throw. He threw her in the grave, straightway he did run, Left no one to weep but some small birds to mourn.
6   The ship setting ready all on the sea-side,
He swore by his Maker he'd sail the other side.
All on whilst he was sailing the ship she sprang a leak,
And away to the bottom sweet William he sank.
7   There he met with prerty Polly all in the gores of blood, In her lily-white arms an infant of mine.
Such screaming and hollering, it all passed away. A debt to the devil he surely had to pay.
D
lead - ing me a - way Ex - ult - ing for my sweet life to be - tray.
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