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Willie and Mollie
1
(1)
Says Willie to Mollie “Why can't we agree?
Give me your consent
love, and married we'll be.”
Her cheeks they did blush like the
roses in bloom ,
Says Mollie to Willie, “We'll marry too
soon.”
(2)
They parted that night with
kisses so sweet.
He returned the next morning before it was
light ,
Took her by the hand, saying “Come love, with me,
Before we get married, your friends go to see.”
(3)
He led her through valleys and forests so deep,
Until the fair damsel began for to weep.
She says
“Dearest Willie, you've led me astray,
On purpose my innocent
life to betray.”
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191]
(4)
He said, “Dearest Mollie, it's true that I
have,
For all of last night, I was digging your grave.”
She saw the grave dug, and the spade standing by.
“Is this your bride's bedding, young man?” she did cry.
(5)
He says: “Dearest Mollie, there's no time to stand.”
And, instantly taking his knife in his hand,
He plunged her fond heart, and the blood it did flow,
And into the grave her fair body did throw.
(6)
He covered her over, and quickly rode along,
Leaving
nothing but small birds to weep and to moan.
He rode to New Bedlock, took ship and sailed free,
Bound down from New Portsmouth to plough the salt
sea.
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192]
(7)
That night as Willie in his berth
2 did lie ,
He was aroused by
an innocent cry
Saying “Rise up dear Willie, and come for to
hear
The voice of a fair one you once loved so
dear.”
(8)
He rose like a man, a steward so
bold ,
He beheld that fair damsel all on the ship's hold .
She held in her arms a baby so fair ,
He
ran to embrace her but nothing was there.
(9)
'Twas all that long night he could hear her wild cries,
While flashes of fire flew out of his eyes.
There was
none but Willie could see that sad sight ,
He went wild
distracted and died the next night.
3
Finis
Notes
1
Willie and Mollie : A
variation of an old tradtional ballad called The Cruel Ship's Carpenter.
2
berth : Nautical : The cabin of a ship's officer
3
...and died the next night : An alternative
ending to The Cruel Ship's Carpenter,
where Willie is killed by the incarnation of Mollie's
spirit.
