The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #40625   Message #1897085
Posted By: Joe Offer
30-Nov-06 - 09:05 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Unfortunate Miss Bailey
Subject: RE: Origins: Unfortunate Miss Bailey
Mr. Scanner has one more for you. Not much different, but worthwhile. This is from Folks Songs of Canada, by Edith Fowke and Richard Johnston.

UNFORTUNATE MISS BAILEY

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

2. One night, betimes, he went to bed, for he had caught a fever.
Said he, "I am a handsome man, and I'm a gay deceiver!"
His candle lust at twelve o'clock began to burn quite palely;
A ghost stepped up to his bedside and said, "Behold Miss Bailey!"
O Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey!

3. "Avaunt, Miss Bailey," then he cried, "You can't affright me, really."
"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."
O Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey!

4. "Dear Ma'am," said he, "since you and I accounts must once for all close,
I have a one-pound 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."
O Miss Bailey! Unfortunate Miss Bailey!


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