Maria and Caroline
Come all you feeling people and listen to my song,
I’ll tell you of a murder and it won’t contain you long;
It was near a place called Folescombe this murder it was done,
Maria and sweet Caroline was murdered by Thistlin John. As sung by Danny Brazil, Gloucester 20 Apr 1966 (Springthyme 66.1.18). Also Lemmy Brazil (verses 6 & 7) Gloucester 29 September 1967 (Springthyme 67.6.24). In: Shepheard, Peter. Folk Songs and Ballads of the Brazil Family of Gloucester (1967).
Come all you feeling people and listen to my song,
I’ll tell you of a murder and it won’t contain you long;
It was near a place called Folescombe this murder it was done,
Maria and sweet Caroline was murdered by Thistlin John.
The murderer came to her house at eight o’clock at night, [Lemmy: went
But little did poor innocent think that he owed her any spite;
“Will you take a walk dearest Caroline,” this murderer he did say,
Then fell aquaint with him to Shoreham cliff next day.
[Lemmy: Then she agreed to his companyThe mother to he daughter, “You had better stay at home,
I do not think it is safe for you to walk with that man alone;
You had better have your sister to walk along with you,
Then I’ll have no rejections, dear daughter you may go.”
Early the next morning just at the break of day,
Maria and sweet Caroline from Dover they did stray;
Before they reached near Folescombe, this villain he drew his knife,
Maria and sweet Caroline he took away their lives.
Down on the ground her bleeding found all in the bloom of the year,
“Mercy!” cried the poor innocent child with her eyes all filled with tears;
He drew the dagger into her breast, her lovely breast so deep,
He robbed them o their sweet lives and left them there to sleep.
When the news it did reach home they cried, “What shall I do,
Poor Maria’s murdered and lovely Caroline too.”
And if you go unto the spot there’s letters you will find,
Cut deeply into the turf, Maria and Caroline.
The murderer he was taken his own life for to try,
And he was sent to Maidstone jail and there condemned to die;
Come all you young men take a warning, be aware of the fate of mine,
And think of Maria and lovely Caroline.
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