Charles Gibbs

DESCRIPTION: The pirate recalls his tender parents and his inheritance, but he paid no heed. "No pity have I ever shown, Lord, who would pity me, But here I lie and long to die." He tells of his adventures with his "bloody knife." He bids farewell to his family
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1933 (collected from Charles Tillett)
KEYWORDS: pirate prison father mother death execution
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
1831 - Death of Charles Gibbs
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (4 citations):
Chappell-FolkSongsOfRoanokeAndTheAlbermarle 28, "Charles Gibbs" (1 fragment)
Cohen-AmericanFolkSongsARegionalEncyclopedia1, pp. 61-63, "Charles Gibbs (1 text)
Frank-NewBookOfPirateSongs 70, "Charles Gibbs" (1 text, 1 tune; #42 in the first edition)
Forget-Me-Not-Songster, pp. 72-74, "Charles Gibbs" (1 text)
Roud #16892
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Flying Cloud" [Laws K28] (plot and piracy theme)
NOTES [98 words]: A native of Rhode Island, Charles Gibbs served in the War of 1812, then turned Argentine privateer and, eventually, pirate. He quickly became notorious for his brutality, and serious efforts were made to capture him. An attempt in 1821 failed, but he was taken and hanged in 1831. If the stories of his torture and rape of those he captured are true, the punishment probably was deserved.
Cohen, p. 63, says that he was the last pirate to be hung in the United States.
Although the lyrics are different, the plot of this is so close to "The Flying Cloud" that I wonder about dependence. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.0
File: CFRA028

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography