“Sweet William's Ghost”

Description

(Sweet William) dies while engaged. Since he has an unfulfilled commitment, his spirit cannot rest. He goes to his sweetheart, who begs him to wed her/kiss her/etc. When she learns that he is dead, she releases him from his promise

Notes

Child versions A, B, C and G end the ghost's visit with crowing cocks; in Ireland (Morton-Ulster 8 and Paddy Tunney on Voice03) the cock may be replaced by the moor cock. The ghost/cock motif accounts for the connection, by some, of "Willy O!" to Child 77. - BS

Tom Shipley, in _The Road to Middle-Earth_ (third edition), p. 210, notes that Herd's text of this (Child's B) mentioned "Middle-Earth," implying that this song might have been a small part of the inspiration of the world (though not the plot) created by J. R. R. Tolkien. Rather a stretch -- but interesting, the more so as Tolkien did have a strong affinity for folklore and folk song. - RBW

Broadsides

• Bodleian, Harding B 5(1), "Sweet William's Ghost," unknown, n.d.

Recordings

• Paddy Tunney, "Lady Margaret" (on Voice03)

References

1. Child 77, "Sweet William's Ghost" (8 texts, 1 tune) {Bronson's #1}
2. Bronson 77, "Sweet William's Ghost" (11 versions+ 1 in addenda)
3. Morton-Ulster 8, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Percy/Wheatley III, pp. 130-133, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text)
5. Davis-More 21, pp. 152-156, "" (1 text, so fragmentary that it might be some other ballad with intrusions from "Sweet William's Ghost")
6. Flanders/Brown, pp. 240-241, "Lady Margaret and Sweet William" (1 text, taken from the Green Mountain Songster)
7. Flanders-Ancient2, pp. 178-183, "Sweet William's Ghost" (2 texts, the first being the Green Mountain Songster version)
8. BrownII 23, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text)
9. Greenleaf/Mansfield 9, "Lady Margaret" (1 text)
10. Peacock, pp. 390-395, "Lady Margaret" (1 text, 6 tunes)
11. Karpeles-Newfoundland 9, "Sweet William's Ghost" (2 texts, 9 tunes) {Bronson's #3}
12. Leach, pp. 256-262, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text plus a Danish text for comparison)
13. Leach-Labrador 4, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text, 1 tune)
14. Friedman, p. 47, "Sweet William's Ghost" (2 texts)
15. Gummere, pp. 203-205+348-349, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text)
16. HarvClass-EP1, pp. 78-80, "Sweet William's Ghost" (1 text)
17. DT 77, WILIGHOS* WILIGHO2 (GHOSWILL? -- a very worn down version that might be derived from this piece)
18. ADDITIONAL: Walter de la Mare, _Come Hither_, revised edition, 1928; #428, "Sweet William and May Margaret" (1 text)
19. Roud #50
20. BI, C077