Hi

This is the version from the Digital Tradition, from Nova Scotia, Cecil Sharp collected a version of this song with very similar words but a very different tune from somewhere north of London. I have lost the details can anyone supply the location and singer?



JACK WILLIAMS

I am a boatman by my trade,
Jack Williams is my name;
And by a false deluding girl
I was brought to grief and shame.

In London town where I did dwell
The people did me know;
I fell in love with a handsome girl
That proved my overthrow.

I went a-robbing night and day
To maintain her fair and gay;
And what I got I valued not,
I brought to her straightway.

At length to Newgate I was sent,
Bound down in irons strong,
With a rattling chain around my leg,
And she longed to see it on.

I wrote a letter to my love
Some comfort for to find;
Instead of proving friend to me
She proved to be unkind.

"You robbed and stole to keep me gay;
The truth I don't deny.
You made your bed, young man," said she,
"Down on it you must lie."

'Twas then I stood my trial
And boldly made my plea;
And then I was transported
Far away to Botany Bay.

If ever I do return again,
A solemn vow I'll make
To shun all evil company
For that false woman's sake.

From Ballads and Sea Songs from Nova Scotia, Mackenzie
collected from Richard Hines
DT #572
Laws L17
@infidelity @outlaw @transportation
filename[ JCKWLLM
TUNE FILE: JCKWLLM
CLICK TO PLAY
RG
oct96

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Traditional Ballad Index Entry:

Jack Williams [Laws L17]

DESCRIPTION: Jack Williams, a boatman, meets a fine young girl. He turns to robbery to support her. He is captured and sent to prison; she scorns him, saying "I hate thievish company." He is sentenced (to transportation/execution) (but escapes and vows to avoid women)
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1916
KEYWORDS: crime prison trial transportation courting
FOUND IN: US(MW) Britain(England)
REFERENCES (5 citations):
Laws L17, "Jack Williams"
Eddy 62, "Jack Williams" (1 text)
Gardner/Chickering 136, "Jack Williams" (1 text, 1 tune)
LPound-ABS, 67, pp. 152-153, "Jack Williams" (1 text)
DT 572, JCKWLLM
Roud #1906
File: LL17

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