Hi All- I'm frustrated trying to find the source or even similar ballad sources for this song "Bill Seymour the Bold Seaman" I have been transcribing from the Flanders collection.I know I have seen it somewhere
Here's what I've got. The melody is similar to Betsy from Pike- this singer used that tune for almost all his songs
The question marks are where I took a stab at it, while ---- denotes indecipherable sounds. The recording is compromised and the guy had a cough
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Bill Seymour, the Bold Seaman
Alonzo Lewis, York ME 9/20/1947
Helen Hartness Flanders Collection, Middlebury VT
D50A side B 10:30
Learned from his father, Alonzo

Come all you bold heroes who have jackets of blue
Lend an ear to my story I'll tell unto you
Concerning a young man who who plowed the rough main
He was a bold seaman, Bill Seymour by name

A fierce fiery temper this young man possessed
While jealous precedings deep wounded his breast
And the dark clouds of heaven took care of his soul
While his eyes sparkled fire like a bright burning coal

He was a twin brother to Warren by name
He was frank open-hearted with honor and fame
Born of the same mother reared with the same care
Still chose the road down to ruin and despair

As he went a-walking one cold winter's day
He met his bold crew and to them he did say
Prepare for the conflict, no longer delay
For the arrow is thrown and we may have foul play

With a high reefed topsail she bore on the tide
High over the ocean the Vulture did ride
And the bold reckless captain led that bloody band
While he held a broad saybree (saber) and a cutslash (cutlass) in hand

You go down to the cabin and then you will see
The handsomest creature that ever could be
Her cheek pale as marble and her eyes black as sloe
And a founting (fountain) of tears from them they do flow

He's taken a pistol and a dirk in his hand
He gave them to Clarey and bade her to stand
And never give up to that hellish design
For the whole of their treatment was (true or be kind?)

Next moment a rap it was heard at the door
"Fare ye well dearest Clarey, If I see you no more"
And the bold buccaneer with a smile on his face
Rushed in; that fair lady he thought to embrace

"Stand back cruel monster!" she said to him straight
"Or the pistol shall teach you your own dismal fate
At the sight of those weapons (he) stepped back with surprise
While tiger-like vengeance did flash in his eyes

Must I be thus frightened of you lady fair
Your pistol in handle like courage you dare(?)
Your weapons fair lady all them I'll defy
My will I will have, on that you rely

Then like a fierce lion on Clarey did spring
Resol-ved (upon her) dishonor to bring
Her pistol it failed her in that trying hour
And he (dashed it ) like lightning from her hand to the floor

Then a dirk from her bosom she instantly drew
-----
And with one first strike at the pirate so bold
That made him fall back and relinquish his hold

Overlightening that moment was a most dreadful blast
Descended like --- and rent the mainmast
He then from the cabin flew up to the deck
Maddened with rage and his vessel a wreck

Oh the words on his lips they had not scarcely died
When a call from the lookout a sail he espied
He's taken his glass and the ocean did scan
To learn of this vessel and find out her ;plan

It is "Oh hell and fury!" he quick did exclaim
"It is my brother's vessel "Flying Arrow" by name

He called for --- as he shouted so loud
Which raised every pirate in that lawless crowd
But the brave little schooner with terrible force
Kept bravely ahead and would not change her course

At length the Flying Arrow was flown alongside
And the two grappling irons together were tied
And both springing forward within a short space
The two rival brothers they met face to face

Next moment the clash of the weapons did ring
To return his own saybree to it's party to bring (?)
So skilled in the heart (?) and so nobly he played
Till on his own deck this bold pirate he lay

Now William, my brother 't is you I have slain
Unblessed and unhonored you'll sleep in the main
No home, friend or kindred shall riches repay
Let the white foaming billows your winding sheet be


Transcribed by Julia Lane 11/2016