The New York Trader To a New York trader I dld belong. She was well built, both stout and strong, Well rigged, well manned, well fit for sea, Bound for Nem York in America. Our cruel captain, you do understand, Meant to starve us before we made the land; At length our hunger grew very great, We had but little on board to eat. Being in necessity All by our captain's cruelty, Our captain in his cabin lay, He dreamt a dream, those words did say: "Prepare yourselves and ship's company, For to-morrow night you must lie with me." Our captain awoke in a terrible fright, It being the first watch of that night. Loud for the bos'n he did call, And to him related his secret all. "Captain," said he, "if this be so, O let none of your ship's crew know, But keep your secrets in your breast, And pray to God to give you rest." "There is one thing more I have to tell When I in Waterford town did dwell, I killed my master, a merchant there All for the sake of his lady fair. I killed my wife and children three All through that cursed jealousy And on my servant laid the blame And hang-ed he was for the same." Early next morning a storm did rise Which caused the seamen much surprise The sea broke over us fore and aft Till scarce a man on the deck was left. Then the bos'un he did declare Our captain was a murderer That so enraged all the ship's crew They overboard the captain threw. When this was done a calm was there Our good light ship homeward did steer The wind abated and calmed the sea And we sailed safe to America. And when we came to anchor there Our good light ship for to repair The people wondered much to see What poor distressed shipwreck were we. From Ballads and Sea Songs from Nova Scotia, Mackenzie Collected from Peter Hines DT #563 Laws K22 RG oct96
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!