The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #40625   Message #1897079
Posted By: Joe Offer
30-Nov-06 - 08:54 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Unfortunate Miss Bailey
Subject: ADD Version: Unfortunate Miss Bailey
Here's the version from the Folksinger's Wordbook - only slightly different from what's in the DT.

UNFORTUNATE MISS BAILEY

A captain bold from Halifax
who dwelt in country quarters,
Seduced a maid who hanged herself
one morning in her garters.
His wicked conscience smited him,
he lost his stomach daily,
He took to drinking turpentine
and thought upon Miss Bailey.
Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey.

One night betimes he went to rest,
for he had caught a fever,
Says he, "I am a handsome man, but I'm a gay deceiver.'
His candle just at twelve o'clock
began to burn quite palely,
A ghost stepped up to his bed side and said,
"Behold Miss Bailey!"
Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey.

"Avaunt, Miss Bailey !" then he cried,
"Your face looks white and mealy,"
"Dear Captain Smith," the ghost replied,
"You've used me ungenteely;
The Coroner's quest goes hard with me
because I've acted frailly,
And Parson Biggs won't bury me,
though I'm a dead Miss Bailey."
Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey.

"Dear Ma'am," said he,
"since you and I accounts must once for all close,
I have a one-ound note in my regimental small clothes.
'Twill bribe the Sexton for your grave."
The ghost then vanished gaily,
Crying, "Bless you wicked Captain Smith,
remember poor Miss Bailey."
Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey.


G
A captain bold from Halifax
    D7
who dwelt in country quarters,
   G
Seduced a maid who hanged herself
    D7
one morning in her garters.
    G
His wicked conscience smited him,
    C                Am
he lost his stomach daily,
    D7
He took to drinking turpentine
    G
and thought upon Miss Bailey.
                   C             G
Oh, Miss Bailey Unfortunate Miss Bailey