From olsonw@erols.com Wed Jan 28 14:40:38 1998 Return-Path: Received: from smtp2.erols.com (smtp2.erols.com [207.172.3.235]) by almaak.usc.edu (8.8.8/8.8.8/usc) with ESMTP id OAA24115 for ; Wed, 28 Jan 1998 14:40:36 -0800 (PST) Received: from olsonw (207-172-138-41.s41.as5.dam.erols.com [207.172.138.41]) by smtp2.erols.com (8.8.8/8.8.5) with SMTP id RAA27151 for ; Wed, 28 Jan 1998 17:40:34 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <34CFB3E5.246A@erols.com> Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 17:40:37 -0500 From: "W. B. OLSON" Reply-To: olsonw@erols.com X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01 (Win95; U) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: "Cray, Ed." Subject: Sea Crab Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Status: RO X-Status: A Combat Between an Ale-Wife and a Sea Crab. Tune, 'Gentleman's Frolic' I pray now atten to this ditty Which I here in brief will unfold, You'll find it is wonderous pritty, And true too as ever was told. There was a young beautiful woman In the town of Dublin does dwell, And as it is frequent and common A cup of good ale she did sell. Her husband being a saylor Young seamen the house did frequent Who never in kindness would fail her Because she did give them content. A seaman went to the salt water And there he did straitway contrive To catch a sea crab, which he brought her, It being both large and alive. This delicate sea crab now being The largest that ever was known, Her husband and she strait agreeing That they wou'd not eat it alone. And therefore their friends they invited To tast of their delicat cheer Who was (I must tell you) afrighted When they a sad outcry did hear. The goodwife said to her maid Dolly 'Come hither, thou dragletail'd drab, This night we'll be merry and jolly And therfore go boyl the sea crab.' Now Dolly did presently take it And she being busie, poor soul, Immediately then did forsake it And laid it in a wooden bowl. The maid then was call'd by her master To know when the crab would be drest; There meanwhile fell out a disaster Which is the whole cream of the jest. The mistress immediately after When where the poor crabfish did stand; Having a great need to make water She took the same bowl in her hand. Her flood-gates were open and running As if it had been a full tide; The sea crab as if then a-sunning Immediately turned on one side. Now as the warm water was working The sea crab did struggle the more And caught her fast by her merking [-merken, privy hair At which she did bitterly roar. Now Dolly a flagon was filling When her dame received this wound, Who roar'd out like one that was killing And frighted the neighbours all round. As soon as the seamen did hear her, Good lack, they came running with speed, But she would let no one come near her But her loving husband indeed. The old man he loved her dearly, He pittied her case, neve doubt, And that he might see the more clearly He pull'd his best spectacles out. And Dolly did then hold the candle, Mean while up her clothes he did peep; But O, how the sea crab did handle Her husband and cause him to weep. His wife's sad misfortune he pity'd And kept his head under her cloaths; At length by the sea crab he was fitted, Who took him fast by the nose. And thus they were coupl'd together That night for an hour or two; Said they, 'Call the neighbours in hither, This pain we can never go thro'. The sea crab lay griping and goring And with his claws held them both fast And ther they stood crying and roaring, The neighbours came all in at last. The maiden she there held the candle While the neighbours the claws did unfix And now they are resolved to handle This crab for his impudent tricks. The Tryal and Condemnation of the Sea Crab. The crab that had caus'd this confusion And did their choice supper prevent, The old woman said in conclusion [young before crab attack Deserved most just punishment. It was but according to reason-- Since he had done this with his claw-- That night he should lye in a prison And suffer according to law. Nex morning a court was erected And old Mother Widgeon was therre Whom all the people respected: She sat in the principle chair. The old woman spoke in a fury In order to punish this deed, 'I'd have you impannel a jury That we may to justice proceed. The crab being brought to his tryal And held up his claw to the bar, His charge being read by the loyal Concerning a wound and a scar. A scar he had given the woman And wounded the nose of the man, 'These crimes they are very uncommon, Make the best defence you can.' The old women's tongues they run nimble And streight for a verdict did call, The sea crab did stand there and tremble And made them no answer at all. The jury came to Mother Widgeon And brought in their verdict at last, And guilty he was, they alledging, And thus the poor sea crab was cast. But ho, the vast court of old women At first was not all of a mind For some was for pulling and limbing And other for beating him blind. Because he presum'd to peep under And fasten his claw on the place And catch'd the man's nose to a wonder Creating shame and disgrace. They in their judgement was confounded But yet at the length they agree, Which was: that the crab should be drownded-- And streight he was thrown into the sea. [from Hugh Shields' 'Old Dublin Songs', 1988. Sheilds suggested also a related tune "Moll Roe". Bruce Olson X:1 T:The Gentleman's Frolic (The Rant) L:1/8 M:9/8 K:G GAG GFE FED|GFG AGA B2c|ded dBG AFD|EFG AFD G2|] X:2 T:Untitled- (Moll Roe in the Morning) N:A. Bland's score for 'The Poor Soldier', 1783 N:excess (chorus part) omitted L:1/8 M:9/8 K:E B|e e e f g e d c B|e e e f d B B2 .a|g f e f g e d c B|\ c A c B G E E2|]