Riding Down to Portsmouth

DESCRIPTION: A sailor falls in love with a pretty maid while "riding down to Portsmouth." After he promises to marry she sleeps with him and steals his gold watch and purse. He leaves the landlord his pony in pawn till he returns from the war.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1867 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 20(41))
KEYWORDS: sex theft whore sailor horse trick promise
FOUND IN: Britain(England(Lond,West))
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Gardham-EarliestVersions, "RIDING DOWN TO PORTSMOUTH"
OShaughnessy-YellowbellyBalladsPart2 41, "Riding Down to Portsmouth" (1 text, 1 tune)
Palmer-FolkSongsCollectedBy-Ralph-VaughanWilliams, #40, "Riding Down to Portsmouth" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #1534
RECORDINGS:
Tom Willett, "Riding Down to Portsmouth" (on Voice02)
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 20(41), "Riding Down to Portsmouth," J. Harkness (Preston), 1840-1866; also Harding B 11(1453), "Riding Down to Portsmouth"
NOTES [10 words]: Probably just as well that wedding didn't come off.... - RBW
Last updated in version 6.8
File: RcRdDTPo

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