Polly on the Shore (The Valiant Sailor)

DESCRIPTION: The sailor warns others about bad company. While out roaming, he is pressed to sea. Soon his ship meets a (French) vessel; he is mortally injured. He recalls his beloved Polly on shore, says he is dying for her, and hopes the sailors will be remembered
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1744 (The Irish Boy's Garland)
KEYWORDS: sailor love pressgang farewell warning death fight dying
FOUND IN: US(NE) Britain(England(Lond)) Canada(Mar)
REFERENCES (5 citations):
Warner-TraditionalAmericanFolkSongsFromAnneAndFrankWarnerColl 57, "The Press Gang Sailor" (1 text, 1 tune)
Creighton-MaritimeFolkSongs, p. 87, "The Neat Irish Girl" (1 text, 1 tune)
Palmer-FolkSongsCollectedBy-Ralph-VaughanWilliams, #68, "Bold Carter" (1 text, 1 tune)
Palmer-OxfordBookOfSeaSongs 40, "The Valiant Sailor" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, (POLSHORE) PRSSGANG

Roud #811
RECORDINGS:
George Maynard, "Polly on the Shore" (on Maynard1, HiddenE, Voice12)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Press Gang
File: Wa057

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