Subject: The Blanchland Murder
From:
*#1 PEASANT*
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:59 AM
The Blanchland Murder While looking thro' the papers at my home the other day,
I saw there'd been a murder in a cruel and barb'rous way,
About two miles from Blanchland, old Snowball and his son
Did occupy the Belmont Farm where the murder has been done.
This young man, Robert Snowball, from his home did go away.
And join'd some friends at Blanchland to spend the New Year's Day.
He came home in the afternoon but didn't long remain;
Some neighbours still he wished to see, so he went out again. Chorus
Young and old, take my advice, and keep from doing harm,
Just think of the cruel murder that's been done at Belmont Farm At twelve o'clock he had not come, so then the father said
Unto Jane Baron, the housekeeper, I think I'll go to bed;
Perhaps he has joined with some friends, and may be out till late.
Yes you can go to bed, said she, and I will of him wait.
Next morning when the father rose he began to sigh and fret,
When she told him that his dear son had not returned home yet.
I waited lonely by myself till three o'clock this morn,
I thought I need no longer wait, as he did not return. Chorus A quantity of blood was found while looking in the byre.
Where it came from the old man then began to enquire;
Ascending to the room above, o'er him there came a dread-
The first thing that his eyes fell on was his son Robert-dead.
The tears came trickling down his cheeks, as near his son he stood.
A hammer also stood close by, bespattered o'er with blood.
We hope that God in heaven will not let the murder rest;
We trust that Robert Snowball's soul is mingled with the blest. Chorus
One Good Source:Polisses & Candymen, The Complete Works of Tommy Armstrong, The Pitman Poet, ed. Ross Forbes, TommyArmstrong Memorial Trust, 1987.
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