Unfortunate Miss Bailey
Hymnal Index | Ship's Company Website

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A captain bold from Halifax
Once left his captain quarters,
Seduced a maid who hanged herself
One morning in her garters.
His wicked conscience smitted him,
He lost his stomach daily,
He took to drinking turpentine
And thought upon Miss Bailey.
Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortunate Miss Bailey!

One night while sleeping on his ship,
The captain heard a banging,
He left his bed and went on deck,
And saw Miss Bailey hanging.
His timepiece stopped at Midnight
And his candle burned quite palely.
And from the mast a ghost stepped down,

Behold it was Miss Bailey.
Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortunate Miss Bailey!

Away, Miss Bailey, he implored,
You don't affright me, really,
Dear Captain Smith, the ghost replied,
You've used me ungenteely.
The coroner was hard on me,
Because I acted fraily,
The Parson would not bury me,
Though I'm a dead Miss Bailey.
Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortunate Miss Bailey!

You won't believe me when I say,
The captain got soft-hearted.
He gave the ghost a five-pound note,
With which she then departed.
'Twill bribe the sexton for my grave,
And so I leave thee gaily,
Oh bless you, wicked Captain Smith,
For rescuing Miss Bailey.
Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortunate Miss Bailey!