<![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=55&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1685-1688+&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle&output=rss2 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:12:09 +1100 una.mcilvenna@unimelb.edu.au (Execution Ballads) Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[The sad effects of Covetousness.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/922

Title

The sad effects of Covetousness.

Subtitle

Being, a Relation of a Horrid Murther, commited upon a Maid Servant, in the Town of Lyn; by her Mistriss and her Son, for the Lucre of what she had: But they being apprehended for the same, was accordingly found Guilty, and was also Executed.

Synopsis

A maidservant comes into a legacy; out of greed she is murdered by her mistress and her son, who drive a spike into her head and then try to make it look like she hanged herself.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.168; EBBA 20785

Set to tune of...

The Young-Mans Legacy

Transcription

WHile I in brief shall make appear, what sins are chiefest in this land,
Who can forbear to shed a tear, when they these Lines shall understand

Covetousness we see each day, to many other sins does lead,
And when we shall to that give way, sad murthers does from thence proceed

For money what will many do, to Satans service they'l engage,
And will their hands in blood imbrue; O! is this not a sinful age.

Tho' many for the same does stretch, yet some will eagerly run on,
And does not fear to make a breach, in all the Laws of God and Man.

Alas, we find the case is clear, offenders will no conscience make,
Although their lives do pay full dear, yet they will not their sins forsake.

And now in brief I will proceed, to tell what grieves my heart full sore,
The like of this sad bloody deed, was hardly ever heard before.

There was an honest Servant-Maid, that lived in the town of Lyn:
Who of her life was soon betray'd, By Murther that notorious sin.

It was the Mistriss and her Son, who prov'd this Maidens overthrow,
There was no Creature, no not one, when they their Cruelty did show.

To death they did this Damsel bring, she did their cruelty behold,
What tempted them to do this thing, these very Lines shall here unfold.

While she did in this place abide, a Servant with humility:
A Friend or a Relation dy'd, who left to her a Legacy.

This to her service then she brought, where wickedness was too too rife,
For this they her destruction wrought, and suddenly they sought her life.

One morning when she riss betimes, to do her work, and thought no ill,
O! then they did commit this crime, her Guiltless blood they then did spill.

They first agreed to knock her down, then presently her wicked Son,
He drove a spike into her head, to finish what they had begun.

When they had her destruction wrought. O! then the Son that wicked Elf,
Did hang her that it might be thought to all, that she had hang'd her self.

But Murther Heaven does forbid, the Blood does still for vengeance cry,
Likewise we know it can't be hid, from our great Gods all-seeing Eye.

She by their Cruelty did fall, alas! we may her grief condole,
They did not give her time to call to God, to pitty her poor Soul.

They to the Bar was brought at last, by this sad wicked Race they run,
And there by Law they both were cast,
first dy'd the Mother, then her Son.

The fruits of Murther here we see, would make a Christians heart to bleed
O that it may a warning be, to all that e're these lines shall read.

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Execution Location

Lyn

Tune Data

The Young-Mans Legacy is not in The British Broadsie Ballad and its Music (Simpson 1966).
PepysC_2_168_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:31 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Unfortunate WELCH-MAN; OR The Untimely Death of Scotch JOCKEY]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/938

Title

THE Unfortunate WELCH-MAN; OR The Untimely Death of Scotch JOCKEY

Subtitle

If her will Fight, her cause to right, as daring to presume To Kill and Slay, then well her may take this to be her Doom. To the Tune of, The Country-Farmer. This may be Printed, R. P.

Synopsis

Switches from male to female pronoun: not sure if this is about a man or woman. Shonny-ap-Morgan rides to London to see his nephew cousin Taffie, and befriends a Scot in a tavern, Jockey, who leaves him to cover the bill. Enraged, he kills him and is condemned to die. A gentleman robber asks not to be executed near him, further enraging Shonny.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.173; EBBA 20790

Set to tune of...

The Country Farmer

Transcription

STout Shonny-ap-morgan to London would ride,
To seek Cousen Taffie what ever betide,
Her own Sisters Son, whom her loved so dear,
Her had not beheld him this many long year:
Betimes in the morning stout Shonny arose,
And then on the journey with courage her goes,
A Cossit of gray was the best of her cloaths,
Her Boots they were out at the heels and toes.

A Sword by her side, and with Bob the gray Mare,
Her rid on the road like a Champion so rare,
At last how it happen'd to her hard lot,
To meet with young Jockey, a bonny brisk Scot:
Then Jockey was jolly, and thus he did say,
Let's gang to the Tavern, drink wine by my fay,
Then Shonny consented, and made no delay,
But Jockey left Shonny the reckoning to pay.

While Morgan was merry, and thinking no ill,
The Scotch-man he used the best of his skill,
Considering how he might scamper away,
For why Sir, he never intended to pay,
But like a false Loon he slipt out of doors,
And never intended to come there no more,
Poor Shonny-a-Morgan was left for the score,
[Cut-zo] her was never so served before.

Her paying the Shot, then away her went,
The Welch Blood was up, and her mind was bent.
For speedy persuing he then did prepare,
Then Morgan did mount upon Bob the Gray-Mare,
Then Whip and Spur stout Shonny did ride,
And overtook Jockey near to a Wood-side,
And pull'd out her Sword in the height of her Pride
And wounded poor Jockey who suddenly dy'd.

Then Shonney was taken and hurry'd to Jayl,
Where her till the Sessions did week and bewail,
And then at the last, by the Laws of the Land,
Was brought to the Bar to hold up her hand:
O good her Lord Shudge, poor Shonny did cry,
Now whip her and send her to Wales her Country,
Or cut off a Leg, or an arm, or an Eye,
For her is undone if Condemned to dye.

But this would not do, poor Shonny was cast,
And likewise received her Sentence at last,
A Gentleman Robber just at the same time,
Received just Sentence then due for his crime:
Then Shonny-a-morgan her shed many tears,
Her heart was possessed with sorrow and fears,
The Gentleman-Thief likewise hung down his ears
For then he expected his ancient arrears.

The day being come they must both bid adieu,
Forsaking the world and the rest of their crew,
The Spark was attir'd so gallant and gay,
But Shonny was poor and in ragged array:
Then when they came both to the Gibbet-Tree,
The Gentleman gave to the Hangman a fee,
And said let this Welch-Man hang farther from me
So vile and so ragged a Rascal is he.

The Welch-man he heard him, and was in a rage,
That nothing almost could his passion asswage;
But fretting and chaffing he thus did begin,
Her will make her know that her came of good kin,
Besides, her will tell her his hearty belief,
That her is no more then a Gentleman thief,
That rob'd on the Roads, and the plain, & the heath,
Her now will Hang by her in spight of her teeth.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Printing Location

Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street:

Tune Data

The Country Farmer, is also known as, King James's Jig
PepysC_2_173_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:34 +1000