“Deck of the Willow Green”
Description
Edgar ships on the Willow Green. Being God-fearing, he refuses to join the crew and captain in drink. Edgar tells the captain that drink will lead him to Hell. In drunken gloom the captain kills himself. Edgar prays for the crew. They all swear off rum.
Supplemental text
Deck of the Willow Green
Partial text(s)
*** A ***
From MacEdward Leach, Folk Ballads & Songs of the Lower Labrador Coast,
#89, "B" text, pp. 228-229. "Sung by William Riley, Lance au Loup,
June 1960."
Come all ye Newfoundland young friends and listen unto me,
A story I will relate to you; it happened out at sea.
It's a sad heart-breaking story, which I am going to tell you;
It's about young Edgar Spence and his age was scarce nineteen.
(25 additional very improbable stanzas)
Notes
Yeah, sure. - RBW
References
- Leach-Labrador 89, "Deck of the Willow Green" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
- ST LLab089 (Partial)
- Roud #9974
- BI, LLab089