Lesley Nelson This tune is Child Ballad #250.
Information
This tune is sometimes
confused with Andrew Bartin, because they are similar both in story and
tune. According to Sharp Henrywesley Martin is probable the older tune
and was recomposed during the reign of James I. However, some scholars
feel it is the other way around. Whichever is the case, Henry Martin dates
to at least the 1700s. In the many versions the hero is variously Henry
Martin (Martyn), Robin Hood, Sir Andrew Barton, Andrew Bodee, Andrew
Bartin, Henry Burin and Roberton. Sharp feels Henry Martin is probably
a corruption of the name Andrew Barton.
The tune is based on a
family that lived during the reign of Henry VIII. A Scottish
officer, Sir Andrew Barton, was attacked by the Portuguese. Letters
of marque were then issued to two of his sons. The brothers, not
finding sufficient Portuguese ships, began harassing English
merchants. King Henry VIII commissioned the Earl of Surrey to end their
piracy. He was given two vessels which he put under the command of his
sons, Sir Thomas and Sir Edward Howard. They attacked Barton's ships, The
Lion and the Union, and captured them. They returned triumphant on August
2, 1511.
There were three brothers in merry Scotland In merry Scotland there
were three And they did cast lots which of them should go, should go, should
go, And turn robber all on the salt
The lot it fell first upon Henry Marttin The youngest of all three,
That he should turn robber all on the salt sea, Salt sea, salt sea. For
to maintain his two brothers and he.
He had not been sailing but a long winter's night And a part of
a short winter's day, Before he espied a stout lofty ship
lofty ship, lofty ship Come abibing down on him straight way.
Hullo! Hullo! cried Henry Martin, What makes you sail so nigh?
I'm a rich merchant bound for fair London town, London Town, London
Town Will you please for to let me pass by?
Oh no! Oh no! cried Henry Martin, That thing it never could
be, For I am turned robber all on the salt sea Salt sea, salt sea.
For to maintain my brothers and me.
Come lower your topsail and brail up your mizz'n, And bring your
ship under my lee, Or I will give you a full flowing ball,
flowing ball, flowing ball, And your dear bodies drown in the salt sea.
Oh no! we won't lower our lofty topsail, Nor bow ourselves under your
lee, And you shan't take from us our rich merchant goods,
merchant goods, merchant goods Nor point our bold guns to the sea.
With broadside and broadside and at it they went For fully two
hours or three, Till
Henry Martin gave to her the deathshot, the deathshot, the deathshot,
And straight to the bottom went she.
Bad news, bad news, to old England came, Bad news to fair London Town,
There's been a rich vessel and she's cast away, cast away, cast away, And
all of the merry men drowned.