Unfortunate Miss Bailey
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A captain bold
from Halifax, who dwelt in country quarters,
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Seduced a maid
who hanged herself one morning in her garters.
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His wicked
conscience smited him, he lost his stomach daily.
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He took to
drinking ratafia and thought upon Miss Bailey.
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Oh! Miss
Bailey, unfortunate Miss Bailey!
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Oh! Miss
Bailey, unfortunate Miss Bailey!
One night while
sleeping on his ship, the captain heard a banging,
He left his bed
and went on deck, and saw Miss Bailey hanging.
His candle just
at twelve o'clock began to burn quite palely.
And from the
mast a ghost stepped down.
Behold! It was Miss Bailey!
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"Away, Miss
Bailey," he implored, "You don't affright me, really."
"Dear Captain
Smith," the ghost replied, "you've used me ungenteely.
The coroner was
hard on me, because I acted frailly,
And Parson
Biggs won't bury me, Ôthough I'm a dead Miss Bailey."
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You won't
believe me when I say, the captain got soft-hearted.
He gave the
ghost a five-pound note, with which she then departed.
"'Twill bribe
the sexton for my grave, and so I leave thee gaily,
Oh bless you,
wicked Captain Smith! Remember
poor Miss Bailey."
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