The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #41454   Message #3734714
Posted By: Steve Gardham
01-Sep-15 - 03:43 PM
Thread Name: ADD/Origins: Yarmouth Town
Subject: RE: ADD/Origins: Yarmouth Town
Here are some details on the 41v version from about 1750.

BL 11621 c. 11
The Fortunate Sailors Garland
Printed and sold by L. How in Peticoate Lane, near White-Chapel Bart.
Tune. The Berkshire Lady.

The first 18v tell the age-old tale of Jack on shore spending his coin in a whorehouse and when all of his money is gone they get him drunk, tie him up in a sack, take him from Wapping into the city and dump him, after somehow leaving a note saying he is a foundling. When he wakes up he curses and is conveyed by the people in the area to a rich merchant's doorway.

Soon a 'gallant comes towards him, sword drawn which frightens Jack, but the gallant only knocks at the door.....

19
He'd a mind to please his Fancy
With the merchant's Daughter Nancy:
He knock'd she to the door did run
And said my dear are you come?

3v (They then have a dialogue setting up the assignation.)

23
I'll a string tie round my finger
Which I'll hang out at the Window;
An Hour hence pull at the string
I'll come down and let thee in.

24
Jack with pleasure heard the Courting
and the manner of their sporting;
For Jack all the while lay still
as a thief that's in a Mill.

25
Adzooks quoth Jack i'll go and venture
Whether i the Gates can enter;
I will go and pull the String
Who knows but she may let me in.

26
Jack pull'd the string out at the Window
Which was tied about her Finger,
Dearest she said I'm coming strait
and so lets Jack in at the Gate?

27
She went in first Jack follow'd after,
But could scarce refrain from Laughter
To think upon his clever hit
For he both spark and Madam bit.

28
She jump't in bed, Jack soon undress'd
and each other there caress'd;
Taking pleasure and delight
The Remainder of the night.

29
She the string took from her Finger
But still left it at the Window
In short time the Gallant came
Found the string and pull'd the same.

30
She said some Villain that wants banging
Pulls the string my dear that's hanging.
Jack strait from his bed arose
and threw the piss-pot on his Cloths.

31
he being fill'd with great Vexation
Curs'd all Women in the Nation
Swearing there was none that's true
Or at least but very few.

32 (They lay lovingly till morning)

33
To the Ladys view appeared
She like one distracted stared;
To see a Man in speckled shirt,
by her side all over Dirt.

34-37 (She is shocked and wakens him, he refuses to go and she asks him to keep their deed quiet.)

38
And of me my dearest Honey;
What you Fancy cloaths or Money
You shall have it if youl go
that none in the House may know.

39
Madam I will make an offer;
If you will accept the proffer;
Since I've caused all this strife
I will now make you my Wife.

(she consents)
41
The next day both were weded,
tho beforehand they had bedded,
Yet her Father as tis told
Gave Jack two thousand Pound in Gold.