The New York Trader

To the New York Trader I did belong

She was fit for sea both stout and strong

Well manned, well rigged, well fit for sea

Bound for New York in Amerikay

On the 4th of March we did set sail

All on a sweet and a pleasant gale

With hearts undaunted we set for sea

Bound for New York in Amerikay

Our cruel captain as we did find

Left half of our provisions behind

Our cruel captain, you'll understand

Meant to starve us all before we reached the land

As our captain in his cabin lay

A voice came to him and this did say

"Prepare yourself and ship's company

For tomorrow night you must lie with me"

Our captain woke in a terrible fright

It being the first part of the night

Loud for his bosun he did call

To him related the secrets all

"Bosun" says he, "it does grieve my heart

To think I have acted the villain's part

To take what was not my lawful due

For to starve the passengers and the ship's crew”

"There's one more thing that I have to tell

When I in Waterford town did dwell

I killed my master, a merchant there

All for the sake of his lady fair

I killed my wife and my children three

All for that cursed jealousy

And on my servant I lay the blame

And he was hanged in grief and shame"

"Oh, captain, captain, if that be so

Pray let none of the ship's crew know

But keep that secret all in your breast

And pray the Lord may grant you rest"

The very next morning a storm did rise

Which to our seamen did much surprise

The seas came over both fore and aft

Till scarce one man on deck was left

And then the bosun, he did declare

The captain was a murderer

This so enraged the whole ship's crew

They overboard our captain threw

All of a sudden a calm was there

Our good little ship onwards did steer

The winds abated and calmed the seas

And we sailed on for Amerikay

And when we reached that New York shore

Our good little ship for to repair

The people wondered much to see

Such a poor distressed and shipwreck crew were we

So sailors all where'er you be

A warning pray you take by me

As you love your life won't yous take good care

And never go sailing with a murderer