“Unfortunate Miss Bailey”

Description

Captain Smith seduces Miss Bailey, who hangs herself. One night her ghost returns and upbraids him, saying she's been ill-used, and the parson won't bury her. The captain gives her money to bribe the sexton, whereupon she vanishes, content.

Notes

This song is variously credited to George Colman the elder (1732-1794) and George Colman the younger (1762-1836). As it appears in the latter's play "Love Laughs at Locksmiths," the younger seems a stronger candidate. - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "The Hunters of Kentucky" [Laws A25] (tune)

Broadsides

• Bodleian, Hard B 25(1257), "Miss Bailey's Ghost," J. Evans (London), 1780-1812 [only partly legible]; also probably Harding B 25(1869), "Unfortunate Miss Bailey," J. Jennings (London), 1790-1840 [illegible]

References

1. Friedman, p. 54, "Unfortunate Miss Bailey" (1 text)
2. Fowke/Johnston, pp. 183-185, "Unfortunate Miss Bailey" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. PBB 88, "Unfortunate Miss Bailey" (1 text)
4. Silber-FSWB, p. 182, "Unfortunate Miss Bailey" (1 text)
5. DT, BAILYGHO
6. Roud #4549
7. BI, FR054