The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #167725   Message #4125643
Posted By: Joe Offer
09-Nov-21 - 01:39 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Stow Brow (Drowned Sailor?)
Subject: ADD: In Scarborough Town (from Sam Larner)
Sam Larner called it "In Scarboro Town," but it's clearly the same song.

IN SCARBOROUGH TOWN

'Twas in Scarborough fair town a young damsel did dwell,
She loved a young sailor, she loved him full well.
When they were about to marry her this was this young man's lot:
Instead of a married life a watery grave he got.

Now as we were got sailing through Robin Hood's Bay,
The wind came down all on us and dismal was the day.
The wind came down all on us and the seas like lions roared,
Which tossed these poor sailors all on the lee shore.

Now as we were got swimming, yes, swimming for our lives,
Some of them had sweethearts and some of them had wives.
And it was about our landing, it worked to be this young man's lot,
For instead of a-marrying her a watery grave he got.

Now as soon as this fair maid these tidings did hear
She pulled off her ringlets, she tored off her hair,
Crying, “Come, all you cruel billows, come, toss my love on shore
So that I may behold his sweet features once more.”

Now as she was got walking down by the sea side
She met a pretty sailor washed up all by the tide,
And when she saw him she immediately did stand,
For she knew it was her own true love by the marks on his right hand.

“And now that I have found my true love I do adore,
I'll kiss him, I'll embrace him ten thousand times o'er,
I'd be happy and contented to lay down by his side.”
And the very next day morning this pretty fair maid died.

Now in Scarborough fair town these two couple do lay,
And written on their tombstone in full memory,
Crying, “Come, all you loyal lovers, this way as you pass by,
Think of those unfortunate couple who now here do lay.”



Lyrics from https://mainlynorfolk.info/watersons/songs/stowbrow.html

from Voice of the People, vol 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWb1kUnukWo

from A Garland for Sam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n_w-QToMZM