Here's a version from the Brown Collection, Volume 2, 1952 that I assume was taken from print, then reworked circa 1939 by Jame York (version B). Footnotes are from a Brown editor. York's MS is in the Abrams Collection online. This ballad was not investigated by Brown editors and York's and Webb's recordings are not available. Why not?
A. 'The Gosport Tragedy.' Contributed by Miss Pearl Webb of Pineda, Avery county, [NC] in 1921 or 1922. It has the appearance of having been copied from print; see under version B.
1. In Gosport of late a young damsel did dwell; For wit and for beauty few did her excel. A young man did court her for to be his dear, And he by his trade was a ship carpenter.
2 He said, 'Dearest Mary, if you will agree And give your consent for to marry me, Your love it can cure one of sorrow and care. Consent then to wed with a ship carpenter.'
3 With blushes as charming as roses in June, She answered, 'Sweet William, to wed I'm too young; For young men are fickle, I see very plain, If a maiden is kind they soon her disdain.'
4 'Why, charming sweet Mary, how can you say so? Thy beauty, the heavens to which I would go, If there I find channel when I chance for to steer I then will cast anchor and stay with my dear.
5 'I never will be cloyed[1] with the charms of my love; My heart is as true as the sweet turtle dove, And what I now crave is to wed with my dear, For when we are married no danger I'll fear,'
6 'The state of a virgin, sweet William, I prize, For marriage brings trouble and sorrow likewise. I'm afraid for to venture for fear,[2] I will never wed with a ship carpenter.'
7 But yet it was in vain she strove to deny, For he by his cunning soon made her comply; And by base deception he did her betray, In sin's hellish paths he did her betray.
8 Then when this young damsel with child did prove She quickly sent the tidings to her faithful love, Who swore by the heavens he would prove true And said, 'I'll marry no damsel but you.'
9 Things passed on a while. At length we did[3] hear His ship must be sailing, for sea he must steer; Which grieved this poor damsel and wounded her heart To think with her true love she so suddenly must part.
10 Cried she, 'Dearest William, ere you go to sea Remember the vows you've made unto me. If at home you don't tarry I never can rest, How can you then leave me with sorrow distressed?'
11. With tender embraces they parted that night And promised to meet the next morning at light; When William said, 'Mary, you must go with me. Before we are married, our friends for to see.'
12. Then he led her through groves and valleys so deep. At length this young damsel began for to weep, Saying, 'William, I fear you have led me astray On purpose my innocent life to betray.'
13. Said he, 'You have guessed right, and earth can't you save. For the whole of last night I've been digging your grave.' When poor ruined Mary did hear him say so The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.[5]
14 A grave with a spade lying near did she see, Which caused this young damsel to weep bitterly. 'Oh. perjurer William, the worst of mankind, Is this the bride's bed I expected to find?'
15 Her hands white as lilies in sorrow she wrung, Imploring for mercy, cries 'What have I done To you, dearest William so comely and fair? Will you murder your true love who loves you so dear?'
16 Said he, 'There's no time disputing to stand.' Then instantly taking a knife in his hand He pierced her fair breast when[6] the blood it did flow And into the grave her fair body did throw.
17 He covered the grave and quick hastened home. Leaving none but small birds her sad fate to bemoan. On board ship he entered without more delay And set sail from Plymouth to plow the salt sea.
18 A young man, a steward, of courage most bold, One night happened late to go into the hold, When a beautiful damsel to him did appear And in her arms she held an infant most fair.
19 Being wary, with quickness he went to embrace. Transplanted with joy at beholding her face ; But when to his amazement she banished away, Which he told the captain without more delay.[6]
20 The captain soon summoned the jovial ship crew And said: 'My brave fellows, I fear some of you Have murdered some damsel ere he came away. Whose injured ghost now haunts you on the sea.
21 'Whoever you be, if the truth you deny. When found out you'll be hung on the gallows so high; But he who confesses his life we'll not take But leave him upon the first island we make.'
22 Then William entreatingly fell on his knees, The blood in his veins with horror did freeze; He cried, cried 'Murder! What have I done?[7] God help me, I pray ; my poor soul is undone.
23 'Poor injured ghost, thy full pardon I crave, For soon I must follow you down to the grave.' None else but this wretch beheld that sad sight, And raving distracted he died that same night.
24 Then when her sad parents these tidings did hear They sent out to search for their daughter so dear. Near the town of Southampton in a valley most deep Her body was found, which caused many to weep.
25 In Gosport's Green her body now lies, And we hope that soul is with God in the skies. Then let this sad tale be a warning to all Who would dare a poor innocent maid to enthrall.
Footnotes:
[1] The manuscript has here "coyed," as does also our B text in the same place. But it seems clear that "cloyed" is meant. [2] The B text has "therefore for fear," improving the sense and the versification and probably representing the original print. [3] B has here "do," which seems better.
[4] Here the A text is better than the B, which runs:
Said he, 'You have guessed right. For the whole of last night I've spent digging your grave.' When poor innocent Mary did hear him say so The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow.
[5] B has the same reading. I do not know what the reading should be. [then then blood]
[6] B corrects at least one of the errors in this stanza, perhaps two, but leaves it still unconstruable:
Being Mary, with liking he went to embrace, Transported with joy at beholding her face, But when to his amazement she banished away, Which he told the captain without more delay.