The Gosport Tragedy
1.
In fair Worcester City and in Worcestershire,
A handsome young damsel she lived there.
A handsome young man he courted her to be his dear,
And he was by trade a ship carpenter.
2.
Now the King wanted seamen to go on the sea,
That caused this young damsel to sigh and say,
“O William, O William, don't you go to sea,
Remember the vows that you made to me.”
3.
It was early next morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly, these words he did say:
“O Polly, O Polly, you must go with me,
Before we are married my friends for to see.”
4.
He led her through groves and valleys so deep
And caused this young damsel to sigh and to weep:
“O William, O William, you have led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.”
5.
“It's true, it's true,” these words he did say,
“For all the long night I've been digging your grave,”
The grave being open, the spade standing by,
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to cry.
6.
“O William, O William, O pardon my life,
I never will covet to be your wife,
I will travel the world over to set you quite free,
O pardon, O pardon, my baby and me.”
7.
“No pardon I'll give, there's no time for to stand,”
So with that he had a knife in his hand,
He stabb'd her heart till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her fair body did throw.
8.
He covered her up so safe and secure,
Thinking no one would find her he was sure,
Then he went on board to sail the world round,
Before that the murder could ever be found.
9.
It was early one morning before it was day,
The captain came up, these words he did say,
“There's a murderer on board, and he it lately has done,
Our ship is in mourning and cannot sail on.”
10.
Then up stepp'd one: “Indeed it's not me,”
Then up stepp'd another the same he did say.
Then up starts young William to stamp and to swear:
“Indeed it's not me, sir, I vow and declare.”
11.
As he was turning from the captain with speed
He met his Polly, which made his heart bleed;
She stript him and tore him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
In fair Worcester City and in Worcestershire,
A handsome young damsel she lived there.
A handsome young man he courted her to be his dear,
And he was by trade a ship carpenter.
2.
Now the King wanted seamen to go on the sea,
That caused this young damsel to sigh and say,
“O William, O William, don't you go to sea,
Remember the vows that you made to me.”
3.
It was early next morning before it was day,
He went to his Polly, these words he did say:
“O Polly, O Polly, you must go with me,
Before we are married my friends for to see.”
4.
He led her through groves and valleys so deep
And caused this young damsel to sigh and to weep:
“O William, O William, you have led me astray,
On purpose my innocent life to betray.”
5.
“It's true, it's true,” these words he did say,
“For all the long night I've been digging your grave,”
The grave being open, the spade standing by,
Which caused this young damsel to sigh and to cry.
6.
“O William, O William, O pardon my life,
I never will covet to be your wife,
I will travel the world over to set you quite free,
O pardon, O pardon, my baby and me.”
7.
“No pardon I'll give, there's no time for to stand,”
So with that he had a knife in his hand,
He stabb'd her heart till the blood it did flow,
Then into the grave her fair body did throw.
8.
He covered her up so safe and secure,
Thinking no one would find her he was sure,
Then he went on board to sail the world round,
Before that the murder could ever be found.
9.
It was early one morning before it was day,
The captain came up, these words he did say,
“There's a murderer on board, and he it lately has done,
Our ship is in mourning and cannot sail on.”
10.
Then up stepp'd one: “Indeed it's not me,”
Then up stepp'd another the same he did say.
Then up starts young William to stamp and to swear:
“Indeed it's not me, sir, I vow and declare.”
11.
As he was turning from the captain with speed
He met his Polly, which made his heart bleed;
She stript him and tore him, she tore him in three,
Because he had murdered her baby and she.
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