Jon Raven – Love and Murder [lyrics below]
B5 from The Halliard : Jon Raven
UK 1968
Broadside – BRO 106
Artwork: Edvard Munch - Todeskuss (The Kiss of Death), 1899
In Worcester town and in Worcestershire
A youthful young damsel she lived there;
A young man he courted her to be his dear
And him for his trade was a ship's carpenter.
The king wanted men for to go upon sea
Which caused this damsel to sigh and to say,
“Oh Billy, oh Billy. don't you go to sea,
Oh don't you remember what you promised me.”
Early, early one morning before it was day
He went to his Polly these words he did say,
“Oh Polly, oh Polly, you must go with me
Before we are married my friends for to see.”
He led her through woods and the valleys so deep
Which caused this maiden to sigh and to weep,
“Oh Billy, oh Billy, you've led me astray
On purpose my innocent life to betray.”
“It is true, it is true, these words you have said,
For all this night I've been digging your grave.”
The grave being open and she standing by
Which caused this maiden to sigh and to cry.
“Oh Billy, oh Billy, please pardon my life,
I never will covet for to be your wife.
I'll travel the country to set you free
If that you will pardon my baby and me.”
“No pardon here is, there's no time for to stand,”
With that he had a sharp knife in his hand.
He stabbed her heart till the blood it ran through
And into her grave her fair body he threw.
He covered her up so safe and secure,
Thinking no-one could find her of that he was sure.
He went upon board for to sail the world round
Before this murder ever was found.
Early, early one morning before it was day
Our captain came up and these words he did say,
“There's a murder on board which has lately been done.
Our ship is in mourning we cannot sail on.”
Oh then up steps one and, “Indeed it's not me,”
Then up steps another and, “Indeed it's not me.”
At length up steps Billy and this he did swear,
“Indeed it's not me, I vow and declare.”
As he was turning from the captain with speed
He met with his Polly which made his heart bleed.
She ripped him, she tore him, she tore him in three
Because that he murdered her baby and she.
#Worcester #Folk #OhBilly