The Female Smuggler
Come list awhile, and you soon shall hear,
By the rolling sea liv’d a maiden fair,
Her father follow’d the smuggling trade,
Like a warlike hero that ne’er was afraid.
In sailor’s clothing young Jane did go,
Drest like a sailor from top to toe;
Her aged father was the only care
Of the female smuggler, who never did despair.
With her pistols loaded she went on board,
By her side hung a glittering sword,
In her belt two daggers–well arm’d for war,
Was the female smuggler, who never fear’d a scar.
Not far they sailed from the land,
When a strange sail put them all to a stand;
Those are sea-robbers, this maid did cry,
The female smuggler will conquer or die.
Close alongside these two vessels came,
Cheer up, said Jane, we’ll board the same,
We’ll run all chances to rise or fall,
Cried the female smugglers, who never fear’d a ball.
They beat the robbers, and took their store,
And soon return’d to old England’s shore;
With a keg of brandy she walk’d along,
Did the female smuggler, and sweetly sung a song.
Not far she travell’d before she espied
A commodore of the blockade,
He said–surrender, or you must fall,
But the female smuggler said, I never fear’d a ball.
What do you mean? said the commodore–
I mean to fight, for my father’s poor,
Then she pulled the trigger, and shot him through,
Did the female smuggler, and to her father flew.
But she was follow’d by the blockade,
In irons strong they put this fair maid:
But when they brought her to be tried,
The female smuggler stood dress’d like a bride.
The commodore against her appear’d,
His health restor’d and from danger clear’d;
But when he found, to his great surprise,
‘Twas a female smuggler had fought him in disguise–
He to the judge and jury said,
My heart won’t let me prosecute that maid,
Pardon I beg for her on my knees,
She’s a valiant maiden, so pardon if you please.
If you pardon that maid, said the gentleman,
To make her my bride is my plan;
Then I would be happy for evermore,
With the female smuggler, said the bold commodore.
Then the commodore to her father went,
Though he was poor, to get his consent;
He gain’d consent, so the commodore,
And the female smuggler are join’d for evermore.
*Transcriber’s note: Dugaw’s catalogue contains multiple variants of this ballad; this is the first of the variants listed. To review other variants of this ballad, please consult the Dugaw catalogue.
BBO Roud Number: I200