From the Bodleian broadside collection, Harding B 25(2069):


WILLIAM TAYLOR

William was a youthful lover,
Full of wit and sprightly air,
And his mind he did discover
To a virtuous lady fair.
The day was appointed to be married.
He was dressed in scarlet gay.
In place of William being married,
Straightly he was sent away.

When his love she came to hear it,
She said she'd go, whate'er betide,
With her musket o'er her shoulder,
Sword and pistol by her side.
She dressed herself in man's attire
Under the name of Richard Carr,
With her fingers long and slender
All besmeared with pitch and tar.

On the deck there was a skirmish.
She was one amongst the rest.
Off her jacket flew a button,
Then appeared her snow-white breast.
O lady, lady, said the captain,
What misfortune brought you here?
I'm on the search of my true lover
Whom you pressed the other year.

O then, lady, says the captain,
Tell to me your lover's name.
William Taylor I do call him
Whom you pressed in the Isle of Main(?).
If William Taylor is your true lover,
His dwelling's on the Isle of Man.
If you rise early tomorrow morning,
You will see him walking on the strand(?).

She arose early in the morning,
Early by the break of day.
There she espied her William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay.
She called for a sword and a pistol,
Sword and pistol at command.
There she shot her William Taylor,
And his lady at his right hand.

The captain he did recommend her
For the deed that she had done,
And he has made her chief commander
Over the Barcelonian.