Collected (and set with a Piano accompaniment) by Ralph Vaughan Williams from the collection Folk Songs from the Eastern Counties. For solo voice with Piano accompaniment.First sung to R. Vaughan Williams by James 'Duggie' Carter a King's Lynn fisherman the song tells the story of the death of a young boy aboard a ship. According to comments from RVW himself 'The ballad was probably called forth by a particularly brutal case of ill treatment similiar to that narrated in it which occurred some twenty or thirty years ago'.Lyrics:One day a poor boy to me was bound apprentice Because of his beingfatherless;I took him out of St.James’ workhouse His mother being in deep distress.One day this poor boy unto me offended But nothing to him I did say Up to the mainmast shroud I sent him And there I kept him all that long day.All with my gasket I misused him So shamefully I can’t deny And by my barbarous cruel entreatment The very next day this poor boy died.You captains all throughout the nation Hear a voice and a warning take by me;Take special care of your apprenticeWhile you are on the raging sea.
