Miss Bailey's Ghost

Notation: traditional
PDF Files: ballad

Play MIDI
Play
MIDI

No audio
available
Transcription: by Darryl D. Bush  
View
notes



Lyrics:


A captain bold, in Halifax, who dwelt in country quarters
Seduced a maid, who hanged herself one morning in her garters.
His wicked conscience troubled him. He lost his stomach daily;
He took to drinking Ratafia and thought upon Miss Bailey.
Oh Miss Bailey
Unfortunate Miss Bailey
Oh Miss Bailey
Unfortunate Miss Bailey

One night betimes he went to bed for he had caught the fever
Said he "I am a handsome rogue, and I'm a gay deceiver".
His candle just at twelve o'clock began to flicker palely.
A ghost stepped up to his bedside and said: "Behold Miss Bailey".

"Avaunt, Miss Bailey" then he cried, "You can't affright me, really!"
"Good Captain Smith," the ghost replied ,"You've used me ungenteely!
The coroner's quest goes hard with me because I've acted frail-ly
And parson Biggs won't bury me, though I'm a dead Miss Bailey".

"Dear Ma'am," says he, "Since you and I, accounts must once for all close.
I have a ten pound note in my regimental small clothes.
T'will bribe the sexton for your grave." The ghost then vanished gaily,
Crying "Bless you wicked Captain Smith, remember poor Miss Bailey".

Click here for a full page view.