Nova Scotia BalladsAnonymousCollected byM. M. MacOdrumEncoded byAlison ManleyDalhousie University ArchivesDalhousie University ArchivesHalifax, NS6225 University AvenuePO Box 15000Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova ScotiaCanada B3H 4R2URL:http://libraries.dal.ca/collection/archives.html2014-10-27
Nova Scotia Ballads collected by M. M. MacOdrum is a manuscript of 217 typed pages
held by the Dalhousie University Archives. (Acc. Number 26 - 75. Dal MS 2 234.)
John Sullivan.The Moncton Tragedy.
1
Come all you boys of Westmoreland,I want you to attend,And listen with attentionTo these true lines I pen,
2
I'll sing to you a little song,Which I made up today,Concerning John E. SullivanAnd the Moncton tragedy,Some more information
on the Moncton Tragedy can be found at the Fresno
State University Digital Ballad Collection.Another source of
interest can be found via OCLC
WorldCat.
3
I do reside in Westmoreland,I don't deny the same,Moncton is my native home,John Sullivan is my name,
4
I'm handcuffed down in Dorchester,And sentenced for to dieOn Friday the twelfth day
of March,Upon the gallows high,
5
I come from honest parents,They raised me true and kind,They gave me an education,Which I must leave behind.
6
They taught me how to fear the LordAnd do His holy will.They little thought they'd raised a son.That human blood would spill.
7
There was a wealthy widow,Lived in that fatal place.With her I had been intimate,Since first I saw her face.
8
She trusted me as you may seeTo all I did require,But to take away her precious life,It was my heart’s desire.
9
On the eleventh of September last,Sad curse attend the day,The devil whispered in my ear,These words to me, did say:
10
"Why don't you do your work, John,It never shall be told.It's easy to announce her death,And you'll enjoy her gold."
11
’Twas at the hour of five o'clock,My steps I quietly took,Till I arrived at DuchessOn the banks of Meadowbrook.
12
My way I cautiously did traceThe day was nearly done,The evening sun was getting low,The night was coming on,
13
'Twas there I so concealed myselfI soon construed a plan,I only wanted liquor,And she kept the like on hand,
14
I went there in the dead of night,For fear I would be seen,I thought suspicion it would fallOn Hughie and Lizzie
Green.
15
As per source material.
16
I killed the widow and her son,To accomplish my desire.I gathered in what cash she had,And set the house on fire.
17
'Twas early the next morningThe news went all aroundAbout the Duchess residence,That burned unto the ground.The widow and her little son,They perished in the flame,While little Maggie she survived,On me to lay the blame.
19
'Twas then I grew uneasyAnd troubled in my mind,My friends they all advised meTo leave my home behind.
20
I steered my course for Calais,That city of great fame,'Twas there I was arrested.They brought me back again.
21
It's now I'm in my little cell,In a dejected state,'Waiting for the day to comeWhen I shall meet my fate.
22
Four long weary months have passed,The future did require.The judges found me guilty,I am condemned to die.
23
On Friday, on the twelfth of March,I take my last adieuTo Moncton and to Westmoreland,Where my first breath I drew.
24
If I had died upon that day,What a blessing it would be,To see me die a decent death,Not on the gallows tree.
25
Oh, fare ye well, my pretty girl,The pride of all my life,If I had lived a year or two,You would have been my wife.
26
No more I'll kiss your rosy lips,Or embrace you any more,Till Death's dark valley I have crossedTo Canaan's happy shore.
27
Now, to conclude and make an end,My pen I'll lay away,I will wind up ray little song,I have no more to say.
28
I hope I have said nothing,My neighbours to offend.I simply wrote these verses,To satisfy a friend.