The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #162239   Message #3859695
Posted By: Steve Gardham
08-Jun-17 - 05:16 PM
Thread Name: Tune Req: From Moby Dick: 'The Bold Harpooneer'
Subject: RE: Tune Req: From Moby Dick: 'The Bold Harpooneer'
Various versions of the 'Diamond' appeared in and around Peterhead and Aberdeen in the early 19th century. Ballad collector and broadside printer Peter Buchan had a press in Peterhead and then in Aberdeen at that time. Among his other specialities he was adept at taking English broadsides and localising them to his own area. (Another example is his adaptation of Peggy of Derby to become Bonny Lass of Fyvie). PB also had at one time a large collection of ballad books and broadsides from all over the country and he put them to good use before he had to sell them all when he overstretched himself. (Of course Peterhead and Aberdeen were big whaling ports in the early 19th century)

And as others here will tell you most of this is conjecture.