Origins: William Taylor

Subject: William Taylor...
From: Laurel Grace
Date: 04 Dec 98 - 08:02 PM

I was wondering if anyone could post the entire lyrics to the Celtic song "William Taylor"? I have the 1st 2 verses. This would be much appreciated.

Laurel

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Bruce O.
Date: 04 Dec 98 - 09:29 PM

It's in English not Gaelic. It's Laws' N11, and as "Billy Taylor" in DT.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Ewan McV
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 06:14 AM

More good lyrics and good tunes exist for this song than most I've met. Hope you find the one you want!

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 09:46 AM

Which Gaelic????

Slan go foill,

Mick

Subject: ADD Version: WILLIAM TAYLOR
From: Philippa
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 10:03 AM

There’s several songs featuring Willy Taylor. Here's one:

WILLIAM TAYLOR

William Taylor was a brisk young sailor,
He who courted a lady fair;
Bells were ringing, sailors singing,
As to church they did repair.

Thirty couple at the wedding;
All were dress'd in rich array;
'Stead of William being married,
He was press'd and sent away.

She dress'd up in man's apparel,
Man's apparel she put on;
And she follow'd her true lover;
For to find him she is gone.

Then the Captain stepp'd up to her,
Asking her: What's brought you here?
I am come to seek my true love,
Whom I lately loved so dear.

If you've come to see your true love,
Tell me what his name may be.
O, his name is William Taylor,
From the Irish ranks came he.

You rise early tomorrow morning,
You rise at the break of day;
There you'll see your true love William
Walking with a lady gay.

She rose early the very next morning,
She rose up at the break of day;
There she saw her true love William;
Walking with a lady gay.

Sword and pistol she then order'd
To be brought at her command;
And she shot her true love William,
With the bride on his right arm.

If young folks in Wells or London
Were served the same as she served he,
Then young girls would all be undone,
Very scarce young men would be!

From One Hundred English Folksongs (For Medium Voice) Edited by Cecil J. Sharp, Dover
Publications, Inc., New York 1916, 1944, 1975.

Subject: Lyr Add: (partial) WILLIE TAYLOR
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 10:28 AM

Hi Laurel Grace!

You always have to be careful when you ask for THE words to a folk song. The nature of folk song is that there is never A set of words. Here a case in point...

Willie Taylor, a brisk young sailor full of love and youthful air,
At length his mind he did discover to a charming lady fair.

Then to the church for to get married, dressed they were in rich array,
But instead of getting married, pressed he was and sent to sea.

Now she has a mind to follow after, first to England and France and Spain,
Should she live on bread and water until she returns again.

Now in shipboard she has entered under the name of Richard Kerr,
With her lily white fingers small and slender all now smeared by pitch and tar...

If this is your Willie Taylor, let me know and I'll put down the rest.

All the best.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Dec 98 - 11:49 AM

Dan- Even if it isn't the version she's seeking, post the rest anyway.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIE TAYLOR
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 06 Dec 98 - 02:14 PM

WILLIE TAYLOR

Willie Taylor, a brisk young sailor
Full of love and youthful air
At length his mind he did discover
To a charming lady fair.

CH: Fol da deedle, lairo, lairo, lairo
Fol da deedle, lairo, lairo, lee
Fol da deedle, lairo, lairo, lairo
Fol da deedle, lairo, lairo, lee.

Then to the church for to get married
Dressed they were in rich array
But instead of getting married
Pressed he was and sent to sea.

Now she has a mind to follow after
First to England and France and Spain
Should she live on bread and water
Until she returns again.

Now in shipboard she has entered
Under the name of Richard Kerr
With her lily white fingers small and slender
All now smeared by pitch and tar.

There was a scrimmage upon shipboard
She was there among the rest
Her silver buckles they flew open
And they spied she was a lady dressed.

"Lady, lady," says the captain
"What misfortune brought you here?"
"Indeed, kind sir, it was my lover
Pressed he was and sent to sea.

"If Willie Taylor be your lover
He is a boy I know right well
And he has got married to a rich lady
In the Isle of Man where they do dwell."

She rung her hands and tore her hair
And overboard herself would throw
Saying, my curse light upon you, Taylor
You are the cause of all my woe."

"Lady, lady," says the captain,
"Of your weeping now refrain
You shall be a captain's lady
And Willie Taylor your servant's name.

"If you rise early in the morning
And walk down the silvery sand
You shall see your Willie Taylor
Walking his lady on the strand."

She rose early in the morning
Early by the break of day
And there she spied her Willie Taylor
Walking with his lady gay.

Then she called for sword and pistol
Both of these at her command
She fired and shot false Willie Taylor
And left the new bride on the strand.

For you, Dick Greenhaus... from the Sam Henry collection. Sorry, I was double-parked next to an ambulance yesterday.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Jon W.
Date: 07 Dec 98 - 10:38 AM

And there's this version in the DT already.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Laurel
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 06:02 PM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 15 Dec 98 - 07:15 PM

I've stuck this in a thread before, but the female vocalists in the The Mollag Band (an excellent group of musicians and singers in Ellan Vannin) had a streamlined version which sums up the whole thing very pithily -

Willy was a stupid bastard, Not a brain-cell in his head. Left his true love for another. She came back and shot him dead.

l've also previously mentioned that several versions link the song with the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin). Either Willy and his lover came from the Island, or the Commander was so impressed with the true love's firm action that he makes her the captain or commander of a vessel either for or from the Isle of Man.

Shoh slaynt,

Bobby Bob

Subject: ADD Version: WILLIAM TAYLOR
From: Wolfgang
Date: 18 Feb 00 - 04:35 AM

Martin Carthy sings a fairly different version of this song on his LP Shearwater. Different enough for posting. Since there are no notes on the record, I do not know where Martin Carthy found this version.

Wolfgang

WILLIAM TAYLOR

I'll sing you a song of two young lovers
all from Lichfield town they came,
oh, the young man's name was William Taylor,
Sarah (Sally?) Gray was the maiden's name.

William Taylor he has enlisted,
for a soldier he has gone,
and he's gone and he's left his own true lover
for to sigh and for to moan.

Sally's parents they abused her,
filled her heart with much grief and woe,
and for to seek young William Taylor
for a soldier she would go.

She dressed herself in men's apparel,
men's apparel she put on,
and for to seek young William Taylor
for a soldier she has gone.

One day as she was exercising,
exercising one, two three, all with the rest,
oh, a silver chain fell down from her waistcoat
and exposed a lily-white breast.

She sergeant he stepped up to her,
he asked her: „Young Lady, what brings you here?"
„Oh, I come in search of William Taylor,
who was pressed from me last year."

„Oh, if you come in search of William Taylor,
William Taylor, he's not here.
For I do hear that he's been married
to some lovely lady fair.

„And if you rise early in the morning,
early at the break of day,
oh, it's there you see your William Taylor
walking out with the ladies gay."

So she rose early in the morning,
early at the break of the very next day,
and it's there she's seen her William Taylor
walking out with the ladies gay.

She has called for a brace of pistols,
a brace of pistols was brought all there to her hand,
and she's shot William Taylor
with his bride at his right hand.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Feb 00 - 02:31 PM

There were sleevenotes with the original (vinyl, 1972) release of Shearwater, though for some unknown reason they are replaced in the CD insert (1991) with a piece about Carthy by Maggie Holland and John Tobler.  About his version of William Taylor, Carthy has this to say:

"Of all the traditional singers I have listened to, I think my favourite is still Joseph Taylor of Saxby-all-Saints, Lincs.  A few years ago, Patrick O'Shaughnessy of the Lincolnshire Association gave me a copy of a tape of his singing, and it has proved the steadiest source of inspiration.  The song William Taylor comes originally from him, although with thinking about it and singing it to myself, a few little variations in the melody have come in.  Some sets of the song have the last verse:

If all young men in Wells and London
Used young girls like he used she
Then all young girls would never marry
Very scarce young men would be."

Malcolm

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Wolfgang
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 10:26 AM

Malcolm, thanks for that lovely surprise of adding Martin Carthy's notes. I have a vinyl without notes, must be a different issue. It's a pity for Carthy's notes are nearly always informative.

Wolfgang

Subject: ADD Version: WILLIAM TAYLOR
From: Alice
Date: 28 Jul 01 - 10:57 PM

Patrick Street recorded this with the title William Taylor. Here are the lyrics as I transcribed them from listening to the CD.

WILLIAM TAYLOR

William Taylor was a brisk young sailor
Full of heart and full of play,
Until his mind he did uncover
To a youthful lady gay.
Four and twenty British sailors
Met him on the King's highway,
As he went for to be married
Pressed he was and sent away.

cho.
Fall dereedle dum, a dare eye dither oh
Fall dereedle dum, dum a dare eye day.
Fall dereedle dum, a dare eye dither oh
Fall dereedle dum, dum a dare eye day.

Sailor's clothing she put on
And she went on board a man of war
Her pretty little fingers long and slender
They were smeared with pitch and tar.
In that ship there was a battle
She amongst the rest did fight
The wind blew off her silver buttons
Breasts were bared all snowy white.

cho.

When the captain did discover
He says, "Fair maid what brought you here?"
"Sir, I'm seeking William Taylor,
Pressed he was by you last year."
"If you rise up in the morning,
Early at the break of day,
There you'll spy young William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay."

cho.

She rose early in the morning,
Early at the break day,
There she spied young William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay.
She procured a pair of pistols,
On the ground where she did stand
There she shot poor William Taylor
And the lady at his right hand.

cho.

Performed by Patrick Street, on a Green Linnet recording with Kevin Burke, Jackie Daly, Andy Irvine, Arty McGlynn, and Edna Walsh.

Alice

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 28 Jul 01 - 11:01 PM

Could you give us the tune they used?

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Alice
Date: 29 Jul 01 - 10:47 AM

Go to www.cdnow.com and search for Patrick Street. There is an audio file of William Taylor on his CDs called "Compendium Best of Patrick Street" and "Vol 2. Patrick Street". Try the "Best of" first - there are three types of audio files there and only windows media on the Vol 2 track.

Alice

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Alice
Date: 29 Jul 01 - 10:54 AM

Correction on keyboards - ENDA Walsh, not Edna - just noticed my typo. Here is a page from CD now that describes the changing performers that have made up the band Patrick Street:

---------------

Patrick Street is comprised of some of Ireland's most accomplished musicians. Formed in Dublin in 1986, the current group includes fiddler Kevin Burke (the Bothy Band), bouzouki player and vocalist Andy Irvine (Sweeney's Men, Planxty), button accordionist Jackie Daly (DeDanaan) and guitarist Ged Foley (the Battlefield Band, The House Band). Previous members include guitarists Arty McGlynn (Van Morrison, Planxty) and Gerry O'Beirne and Uillean pipe and keyboard player Declan Masterson. Patrick Street's self-titled debut album was produced by multi-instrumentalist Donal Lunny (Planxty, the Bothy Band, Moving Hearts). Burke, Irvine, Daly and O'Beirne first came together to tour the United States as "Legends Of Irish Music". The enthusiastic reception that they received encouraged them to make the band more permanent. Taking the name "Patrick Street", the four musicians recorded four albums and toured the United States five times between 1987 and 1993. In the Fall of 1994, O'Beirne was replaced by Foley and Patrick Street joined with French Canadian band, La Boutine Sorriente, for a tour of New England. While much of Patrick Street's repertoire is traditional Irish music, the group has recorded original tunes by Irvine, Daly and O'Beirne, as well as tunes by Si Kahn, Woody Guthrie, Andy Mitchell, Dave Richardson and Colum Sands. The core quartet of Patrick Street has been augmented by additional musicians on several albums. Donal Lunny played keyboard and bodhran on the group's first album. Enda Walsh played keyboards on their second effort, No. 2 Patrick Street. Patrick Street's third album, 3 Irish Times 3, featured the group's largest arrangements with the addition of Declan Masterson (Uillean pipes, low whistle, keyboards) and Bill Whelan (keyboards). The producer of Patrick Street's 1993 recording, All In Good Time, Whelan played keyboards and sang background vocals on the album. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

---------

Alice

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: GeorgeH
Date: 30 Jul 01 - 06:40 AM

It's another of those songs where June Tabor sings my favourite version . . I thought I'd posted the words to her version here sometime (but it might have been over on Usenet!).

She use to swear she sung the song for the delight of the lines:

She rose and shot her false willie
and the bride at his right hand

(note to USians - willie is also a familiar term for the male sex organ . . . )

G.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Jul 01 - 02:28 PM

I have always liked the "brisk young sailor", line but I am not too sure what one is? Did he just move fast?

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Alice
Date: 30 Jul 01 - 09:07 PM

Maybe he was fast at putting the moves on the ladies?

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Den
Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:06 PM

Alice, Enda would not be happy, as he is a very (as I remember him) Male, talented keyboard player. He was working with the "Homestead" boys (recording studio)last I heard up in "Ahoghill". Now try and pronounce that one. Den

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Alice
Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:28 PM

I'll write it a hundred times Enda, Enda, Enda,.... so I won't slip up again on that one again.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 31 Jul 01 - 03:33 PM

There's also a William Taylor song Dave Burland sang, not related to the about mentioned song. Last verse goes something like: William Taylor was hanged on the gallows so high/his body was quartered/and a grave was denied/you who go poaching with dog, gun and snare/Of the fate of young Taylor, I'd have you beware.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: pavane
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 03:05 AM

This image may be of interest, as it contains no less that three versions of the song, the oldest of which, judging from the use of the 'long S' character, is called 'The Female Lieutenant, or The Faithless Lover Rewarded' WIlliam Taylor

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: pavane
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 03:14 AM

Just looking again at the Bodley collection, all of the apparently oldest versions of Billy Taylor/William Taylor (including one dated 1804) say the lady is made the commander of a ship called 'Thunder Bomb'. I wonder if this was a real and traceable ship?

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 03:56 AM

The Mudcat at its best! This is a glorious thread, full of information, asides, tangents, non sequiters, etc, but always coming back to the topic again. More power to your collective elbow!!!

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 02:14 PM

Thunder Bomb.

Interesting. Is this the vessel I wonder? What think you?

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Alice
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 03:33 PM

Wow. That is interesting. The version Patrick Street did refers to a 'man of war' and the early one Pavane linked to says the 'Thunder Bomb'. Interesting bit you turned up on that page about the Thunder Bomb, Shambles.

Alice

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: pavane
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 06:43 PM

Brilliant

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: GUEST,Roberto
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 05:47 AM

In a previous thread I had asked if someone could give the text of Robin Williamson's version of William Taylor, but could not get it. I try again now. I mean the version Robin Williamson sings in Job of Journeyman. Thank you. Roberto Campo

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: pavane
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 04:01 AM

The folks at the Thunder Bomb site were well pleased to find a traditional song which mentioned 'their' ship by name!

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLY TAYLOR
From: Fiolar
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:44 AM

Here is a version sung a group called "The Voice Squad." It seems slightly different to the others posted.

WILLY TAYLOR

Willy Taylor and his youthful lover,
Full of mirth and loyalty;
They were going to the church to be married,
He was pressed and sent to sea.

Chorus:
Dally, Dilly Dum, Dilly Dum Dum Dum Dum
Dally, Dilly Dum, Dilly Dum Dum Day.

She dressed herself up like a sailor.
On her breast she wore a star.
Her beautiful fingers long and slender,
She gave them just a smear of tar.

Chorus

On the ship there being a skirmish,
She being one amongst the rest.
Silver button flew off her jacket,
There appeared her snow white breast.

Chorus

Says the captain to this fair maid
"What misfortune has took you here?"
"I'm in search of my true lover,
Whom you pressed on the other year."

Chorus

"If you're in search of your true lover,
Pray come tell to me his name."
"Willy Taylor they do call him,
But FitzGerald is his name."

Chorus

"Let you get up tomorrow morning,
Early at the break of day.
There you'll find your Willy Taylor,
Walking along with his lady gay."

Chorus

She got up the very next morning,
Early at the break of day.
There she spied her Willy Taylor,
Walking along with his lady gay.

Chorus

She drew out a brace of pistols,
That she had at her command;
There she shot her Willy Taylor,
With his bride at his right hand.

Chorus

When the captain came to hear it,
Of the deed that she had done.
He made her a ship's commander,
Over a vessel for the Isle of Man.

Chorus

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:02 AM

Do you happen to know what their source was for that set?

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Fiolar
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 12:35 PM

Sorry. It's the only recording I have by this group.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: IanC
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 12:46 PM

Malcolm

This is what it says on "The Voice Squad" CD here.

Willie Taylor

Is this an early example of a women's liberation song? Of English origin, it owes its widespread distribution in the Irish tradition to the ballad-mongers. The source for this version was a remarkable singer called Pa Cassidy, form the village of Louth, in the county of Louth, whom I first recorded in 1971. He was 90 years young when this song was collected from him by Paddy Carolan and Liz McArdle, of Drogheda.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Fiolar
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 01:26 PM

Try the site
www.taramusic.com
click on artists and follow the links to Phil Callery.

Subject: RE: William Taylor...
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 01:56 PM

Thanks, Ian!  It's good to have Fiolar's contribution set in the context of its traditional source.  Now, does anybody fancy posting the tune used?

Subject: Lyr Add: BOLD WILLIAM TAYLOR
From: Stewie
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:43 PM

The Dransfields did a version of this song on 'Lord of All I Behold', one of those great albums still in the clutches of the dreaded Bulmer. It is similar to the Carthy version posted above by Wolfgang, but I reckon the numerous minor textual variations and different ending warrant its posting. Unfortunately, no source is given.

BOLD WILLIAM TAYLOR

I'll tell you a story about two lovers
O from Lichfield town they came
The young man's name was William Taylor
Sally Gray was the maiden's name

William Taylor he is listed
For a soldier he is gone
He has left his own true lover
For to sigh and for to mourn

Sally's parents they did despise
Filled her heart with grief and woe
And then at last she vowed and promised
For a soldier she would go

So she dressed herself in man's apparel
Man's apparel she put on
Then off to seek Bold William Taylor
For to seek him she has gone

One day as she was exercising
Exercising, one, two, three
A silver chain pulled down her waiscoat
And exposed her lilywhite breast

So the sergeant-major he stepped up to her
Asking what brought her here
I've come to seek my own true lover
Who has proved to me severe

Well, if you've come to seek your own true lover
I pray you tell to me his name
His name it is Bold William Taylor
And from Lichfield town he came

Well, if his name be William Taylor
William Taylor he is not here
He's lately married a rich young lady
Worth ten thousand pounds a year

If you rise early in the morning
Just before the break of day
It's there you'll spy Bold William Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay

So she rose early in the morning
Just before the break of day
And there she spied Bold William Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay

So then she's called for a sword and pistol
That was brought at her command
She fired and shot Bold William Taylor
With his bride at his right hand

Well then the captain he stepped up to her
Pleased well at what she had done
He took her and made her a bold commander
Of a ship and all the men

Source: Robin and Barry Dransfield 'Lord of All I Behold' Trailer LER 2026 (1971).

--Stewie.

Subject: ADD Version: Bold William Taylor
From: Goose Gander
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 03:32 PM

BOLD WILLIAM TAYLOR

I'll sing you a song about two lovers,
Who from Lichfield town they came.
The young man's name was William Taylor,
The maiden's name was Sarah Gray.

William Taylor he has 'listed,
For a soldier he has gone.
He has gone and left his own true lover
For to sigh and for to mourn.

Sally's parents did despise her,
Filled her heart with grief and woe;
And then at last she vowed and told them
For a soldier she would go.

She dressed herself in man's apparel,
Man's apparel she put on;
Then for to seek her own true lover
For to seek him she has gone.

One day as she were exercising,
Exercising one, two, three,
A silver chain hung down her waistcoat
And exposed her lily-white breast.

The sergeant-major stepped up to her,
Asking her what brought her there,
"I've come to search out my true lover
Who has proved to me so dear."

"If you've come to seek your own true lover,
I pray you tell to me his name."
"His name it is bold William Taylor,
O, from Lichfield town he came."

"If his name be William Taylor,
William Taylor is not here;
He's lately married a rich young lady,
Worth ten thousand pound a year."

"If you rise early in the morning,
Just before the break of day,
Why there you'll find bold William Taylor,
A-walking out with his lady fair."

Then she rose early in the morning,
Just before the break of day;
And there she spied bold William Taylor
A-walking out with his lady fair.

And then she called for a sword and a pistol,
Which was brought at her command;
She fired and shot bold William Taylor,
With his bride at his right hand.

And then the captain stepped up to her,
Was well pleased at what she'd done.
He took her and made her a bold commander
Over a ship and all his men.

Source:
Voice of the People, Vol. 6: Tonight I'll Make You My Bride

As sung by Joseph Taylor on a cylinder recorded in 1908 for Percy Grainger

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 03:54 PM

Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry for this song:

William Taylor [Laws N11]

DESCRIPTION: Willie is (about to be married when he is) impressed. His love dresses like a man and seeks him. She is revealed as a woman. The captain tells her that William is about to marry another. She shoots him. The captain gives her a command or marries her
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1769 (Journal from the Nellie)
KEYWORDS: homicide betrayal pressgang disguise cross-dressing sailor
FOUND IN: US(Ap,MW,NE,Ro,SE,So) Canada(Mar,Newf,Ont) Britain(England,Scotland) Ireland
REFERENCES (34 citations):
Laws N11, "William Taylor" (Laws gives a broadside texts on pp. 93-94 of ABFBB)
Wiltshire-WSRO Ox 308, "William Taylor" (1 text)
OShaughnessy-Grainger 2, "Bold William Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
OShaughnessy-Yellowbelly1 7, "Bold William Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
RoudBishop #75, "William Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Musick-Larkin 1, "William Tailer" (1 text)
Greig #101, p. 1, "Billy Taylor" (1 text)
GreigDuncan1 169, "Billy Taylor" (6 texts, 3 tunes)
Lyle-Crawfurd1 19, "Willie Taylor" (1 fragment)
Belden, pp. 182-183, "William Taylor" (1 text)
Randolph 67, "Willie Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
BrownII 106, "William Taylor" (1 text)
BrownSchinhanIV 106, "William Taylor" (1 excerpt, 1 tune)
Moore-Southwest 74, "The False Lover" (1 text, 1 tune)
Hubbard, #25, "Willie Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
SharpAp 61, "William Taylor" (3 texts, 3 tunes)
Sharp-100E 71, "William Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Reeves-Sharp 113, "William Taylor" (2 texts)
Butterworth/Dawney, p. 45, "William Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
SHenry H213, p. 334, "Willie Taylor (a)"; H757, pp. 334-335, "Willie Taylor (b)" (2 texts, 2 tunes, both composite)
JHCox 120, "William Taylor" (1 text)
Flanders/Brown, pp. 152-154, "William Taylor" (1 text)
Ord, pp. 315-316, "Billy Taylor" (1 text)
Greenleaf/Mansfield 22, "Willie Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Leach-Labrador 131, "Willy Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Karpeles-Newfoundland 49, "William Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Creighton-NovaScotia 32, "Billy Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Mackenzie 46, "Willie Taylor" (2 texts)
Manny/Wilson 61, "Brisk Young Seaman (Willie Taylor)" (1 text, 1 tune)
Fowke-Ontario 60, "Willie Taylor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Huntington-Whalemen, pp. 94-95, "William Taylor" (1 text, with the ending lost, 1 tune)
Huntington-Gam, pp. 153-158, "William Taylor"; "Bold WIlliam Taylor" (3 texts, 3 tunes)
DT 443, BLLYTYLR*
ADDITIONAL: C. H. Firth, _Publications of the Navy Records Society_ , 1907, p. 326, "The Female Lieutenant; or, Faithless Lover Rewarded"; p. 327, "Billy Taylor" (2 texts)
Roud #158
RECORDINGS:
Joseph Taylor, "Bold William Taylor" (on Voice06)
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Firth c.12(233), "Bold William Taylor ," H. Such (London), 1863-1885; also Firth c.12(231), Firth c.12(234), Harding B 11(391), Harding B 11(3010)[some words illegible], "Bold William Taylor"; Harding B 25(2069), "William Taylor"; Firth c.12(232)[some words illegible], "The Female Lieutenant" or "Faithless Lover Rewarded"
LOCSinging, as113210, "William Taylor," Leonard Deming (Boston), 19C
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Une Belle Recompense (A Beautiful Reward)" (plot)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Bold William Taylor
NOTES: Belden's version of this song ends with the girl drowning herself in grief. Laws mentions this only in connection with the Belden text, but it appears that Randolph's version also ends this way (it says only that the girl drowned, but Randolph marks a missing verse).I initially though this an Ozark attempt to moralize the song. But it occurs also in Brown. Cox has a similar, slightly less heavy-handed attempt; the girl is arrested but her fate not listed. Perhaps it's a general American urge to punish the "crime." - RBW
She likewise drowns herself in all three of Sharp's texts. - PJS
The "Bold William Taylor" broadsides end in marriage; "William Taylor" and "The Female Lieutenant" end in command.
Reeves-Sharp is a composite of four texts: "this is a composite of all elements of Sharp's ms. versions, none of which is complete by itself." - BS
C. H. Firth treats his "Billy Taylor" as "A Burlesque Ballad" of his other text (in which the sailor is called "William Taylor"); he describes it as Sung by Mr. Emery, at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Still, they are clearly the same song, and both end with the girl as "lieutenant of the Thunder Bomb". The mention of bomb ships (mortar vessels) strongly dates those versions, at least, to the eighteenth or early nineteenth century.
Fowke-Ontario, p. 195, comments "No other heroine [of songs of women following their lovers to sea] turns her pistol on her sweetheart when he proves unfaithful. However, she has an older sister in the girl who stabbed 'Young Hunting' to death for deserting her."
For notes on legitimate historical examples of women serving in the military in disguise, see the notes to "The Soldier Maid."
It is probably just coincidence, but in 1804, shortly before the earliest attested date of this ballad, a book by Robert Kirby described the exploits of a disguised female sailor. Her real name, supposedly, was Mary Anne Talbot, and she took the name John Taylor -- and she served for several years at sea, aboard both merchant and naval vessels, and was wounded before finally claiming discharge on the grounds of her sex. (see David Cordingly, Women Sailors and Sailors' Women, Random House, 2001 [I use the undated, but later, paperback edition], pp. 76-77). Cordingly says that Talbot's tale is fictional, but that would not have been known at the time. Could Talbot's alternate name have supplied the name of the character in this song? Probably not, but it's an interesting coincidence. - RBW
Musick-Larkin: After shooting William "Polly threw herself away All the crew they ran for to save her And alas it would not do. Willy got shot and Polly got drownded This put an end to thare strife" [sic]. - BS
Last updated in version 4.2
File: LN11

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Here are the lyrics we have in the Digital Tradition. Any idea where they're from?

BILLY TAYLOR

Billy Taylor was a sailor
Full of joy and beauty gay,
'Stead of Billy gettin' married
He was pressed and forced away. A*

cho: Fol rol lol, de rol lo lie do
Fol rol lol, de rol lol lay.

But the bride soon followed after B*
Under the name of Richard Carr;
Snow white fingers long and slender
A' covered over wi' pitch and tar.

cho:

She's buttoned on the sailor's clothing, B*
Dressed herself up like a man;
Awa' she sailed like a tarry sailor
All aboard the Mary Anne.

cho:

A storm arose upon the ocean, A*
She bein' there amang the rest;
The wind blew off her silver buttons,
There appeared her snow-white breast.

cho:

"Now," said the captain, "My fair lady, B*
What misfortune brought you here?"
"I'm in search o' my true lover
Whom ye pressed the other year."

cho:

"Now," said the captain, "My fair lady, B*
Come pray tell me what's his name?"
"Some folks ca' him Billy Taylor
but Willie Taylor is his name."

cho:

"If Billy Taylor's your true lover, A*
He has proved to you untrue;
He got married tae another
Left ye here alone to rue."

cho:

"Rise ye early in the mornin', B*
Early by the break o' day.
There ye'll see young Billy Taylor
Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay."

cho:
She rose early the next mornin' B*
Early by the break o' day;
There she saw young Billy Taylor
Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay.

cho:

Gun and pistol she's commanded, A*
Gun and pistol by her side;
She has shot young Billy Taylor
Walkin' oot wi' his new-made bride.

cho:

"Now," says the captain, "My fair lady B*
Come pray tell me what you've done."
I have shot young Billy Taylor
Wi' a double-barreled gun."

cho:
When the captain did behold her B:
And the deed that she has done,
He has made her a chief commander
Over a ship and a hundred men (or gun).

cho:

(Note: Cilla Fisher and Artie Trezise recorded this for Folk
Legacy; they use two variant melodies, Identified here as A* and
B*)
DT #443
Laws N11
@Scottish @love @murder @sailor @transvestite
filename[ BLLYTYLR
TUNE FILE: BLLYTYLR
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 06:32 PM

I have a copy of a very long garland version from mid 18thcentury. I haven't time to type it up just now, but I can check it for details like place names or ship names if anyone is interested. Those versions with a fol-de diddle/tol de rol chorus, I think if I remember correctly are derived from the burlesque version aka 'Billy Taylor' from the early 19thc.

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Lighter
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 08:00 PM

A full version is in "Four New Songs" (Alnwick, 1792). It stars "Billy Taylor," alias "Richard Carr."

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Les from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 08:31 PM

On the subject of 'Thunder Bomb', there have been quite a few vessels in the Royal Navy called Thunder, nearly all Bomb Vessels (which were usually named for volcanoes, or with names like Explosion or Terror). A vessel was often called by name followed by rating, such as Diana Frigate or Cruizer Sloop. They usually carried two large mortars (up to 13inch) and were used for shore bombardment. Bomb vessels were responsible for the 'bombs bursting in air' that them Americans are always going on about. And bomb vessels were selected (because of their stout construction) for 'Lord' Franklin's ill-fated expedition.

They were commanded by a Master and Commander, an Admiralty appointment so it is not permissable for a ship's captain to appoint anyone to the command of one of these vessels, especially if they were a known murderer and a woman.

On a more sensible note I've always preferred the last verse used in some versions:

So, come all young men from Wells and London
If 'twere served the same as she
It's very sad would be young women
Very scarce young men would be.

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Goose Gander
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 12:24 AM

Here's a broadside from the Bodleian Library . . .

William Taylor

No date or publication information provided.

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 09:30 AM

This song is alluded to in Chapter XVIII of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel Sylvia's Lovers (1863). When Charles Kinraid is taken by the press gang when on the way to rejoin his whaler at North Shields, he attempts to send a message via a bystanding friend to his beloved Sylvia Robson [her of the book's title]. The leader of the gang facetiously speculates that he is "asking her to come for to serve on board ship along with he, like Billy Taylor's young woman".

The Oxford World's Classics edition of 1982, the only one I have come across with notes, misses this reference, although it contains an acknowledgment to staff at the Vaughan Williams Library at Cecil Sharp House. I rectified this omission with an essay in Oxford University Press's journal for such observations, Notes & Queries, for March 1999.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 06:16 PM

Jonathan,
The Alnwick version has only got 44 lines. The Bates printing c1712-20 has got 25 double stanzas, title 'The Female Sailor's Garland' (Douce 183) and the Garnett of Sheffield version (1748) has 20 double stanzas, title 'A new Song Call'd The Faithful Lover.'

I'll check them both out to see if they both still have the same proper nouns in them.

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 06:49 PM

These 2 early versions are pretty much the same. In both the girl is called Elizabeth and by wonderful coincidence the ship she enters under the name 'Richard Strong' is also called 'The Elizabeth'. WT was born not far from 'Mile End Green' in the earlier copy, but this has become 'Island Green' in the 1748 Sheffield copy. In both when she is discovered (literally) and tells her story the captain finds WT who has become a Commander and he takes them both to London and sees them married.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that it is based on a true story.

No shootings and no Thunder bombs I'm afraid. Off the top of my head I have a sneaky feeling these were added in when the ballad was burlesqued, as were many popular 18thc street ballads.

I'll type the lot out if you like but most of it is tedious doggerel quite rightly edited out by the later printers.

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Goose Gander
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 12:47 AM

Another broadside from the Bodleian Library . . .

Bold William Taylor

Printed by Such, H. (London)
Between 1863 and 1885

Subject: RE: Origins: William Taylor
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 05:16 PM

Yes, like Such's copy, most of the 19thc printings commencing 'I'll sing you a song about two lovers' have the same 11 stanzas as the Such copy going back to Pitts and Catnach but the 'Billy Taylor' burlesque commencing 'Billy Taylor was a brisk/gay young fellow' was printed in London at least as early as 1802 and was still popular in the 1850s being sung by Sam Cowell. Most versions of this on broadsides have 10 stanzas but some, like Cowell's have 11 stanzas and a typical burlesque refrain of 'tol de rol etc.'. Slightly earlier versions with various titles and 11 stanzas commence 'William was a youthful lover'.
Only the 2 early 18th century versions have more than 11 stanzas to the best of my knowledge.