“The Millman Song”
Description
Mary "Cuplon" is pregnant by Millman. The father, rather than admit the deed or marry the girl, murders her and throws her in the river. Her body is found, and Millman is sentenced to death. The singer reminds parents to watch their children
Supplemental text
Millman Song, The
Partial text(s)
*** A ***
From William Main Doerflinger, Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman,
revised edition (1972), pp. 285-286. From the singing of Hebert
Hinchey, Boiestown, New Brunswick.
You tender hearted Christians, I pray you lend an ear
To a sad and mournful story you air about to hear.
'Twas of a lovelye country girl, innocent and fair.
Content and free she seemed to be, without one thought or care.
This was the sin that turned the tide of Mary Cuplon's life,
And truthfully she was to be a mother, not a wife.
And him that she had trusted to protect her through the strife,
TO hid his shame and save his name took this poor creature's life.
(stanzas 1, 3 of 11)
Notes
This song is item dF60 in Laws's Appendix II. - RBW
Roud has at least five different numbers for this event:
Roud #1837: Creighton-NovaScotia 140, "Prince Edward Island Murder" [Laws dF59]
Roud #4129: Doerflinger, pp. 285-286, "The Millman Song"(also Ives-DullCare, pp. 180-181, "The Millman Murder Trial") [LawsdF60]
Roud #9179: Ives-DullCare, pp. 46-47, "The Millman and Tuplin Song" (also Manny/Wilson 50, "Young Millman")
Roud #9552: Shea, pp. 174-179, "The Millman Tragedy"
Roud #12463: Dibblee/Dibblee pp. 72-73, "The Murder of Mary Tuplin" - BS
Historical references
- June 28, 1887 - Murder of Mary Tuplin by William Millman
- 1888 - Execution of Millman
Cross references
- cf. "The Prince Edward Island Murder" (subject)
- cf. "The Murder of Mary Tuplin" (subject)
- cf. "The Millman and Tuplin Song" (subject)
References
- Doerflinger, pp. 285-286, "The Millman Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Ives-DullCare, pp. 180-181,250, "The Millman Murder Trial" (1 text, 1 tune)
- ST Doe285 (Partial)
- Roud #4129
- BI, Doe285