Thomas and Nancy [Laws K15]

DESCRIPTION: Thomas's ship is ready for sea, forcing him to leave Nancy. She calls to him to remember his sweetheart and family. His ship is wrecked almost at once. Nancy finds Thomas's body, kisses its lips, and dies of grief
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1839 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 11(3473))
KEYWORDS: separation wreck death
FOUND IN: Britain(England(South)) Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (7 citations):
Laws K15, "Thomas and Nancy"
Williams-Wiltshire-WSRO Ox 199, "Thomas and Nancy" (1 text)
Greenleaf/Mansfield-BalladsAndSeaSongsOfNewfoundland 54, "Thomas and Nancy" (1 text, 1 tune)
Peacock, pp. 729-732, "Thomas and Nancy" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
Guigné-ForgottenSongsOfTheNewfoundlandOutports, pp. 360-361, "Thomas and Molly (Thomas and Nancy)" (1 text, 1 tune)
Lehr/Best-ComeAndIWillSingYou 107, "Thomas and Nancy" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT 812, TOMNANCY
Roud #3232
RECORDINGS:
Mike Kent, "Thomas and Nancy" (on PeacockCDROM) [one verse only]; "Thomas and Nancy" (on MUNFLA/Leach)
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 11(3473), "Thomas and Nancy," J. Catnach (London), 1813-1838; also Harding B 11(4123), Firth b.27(273), Firth b.25(109), 2806 c.16(120), Firth b.26(156), Harding B 16(287c), Firth c.13(298), Johnson Ballads 2915, "Thomas and Nancy"
Murray, Mu23-y1:119, "Thomas and Nancy," unknown, 19C
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Wreck of the Lady Shearbrooke" (theme)
cf. "The Lady of the Lake (The Banks of Clyde II)" [Laws N41] (theme)
SAME TUNE:
Gallant Hussar (per broadsides Bodleian Firth b.27(273), Bodleian 2806 c.16(120))
NOTES [43 words]: Although the Bodleian broadsides list the tune as "Gallant Hussar," this doesn't really match "The Gallant Hussar (A Damsel Possessed of Great Beauty)" metrically; you can make it fit, but it's work. I suspect a different "Gallant Hussar" song is meant. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.2
File: LK15

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