Jemmy and Nancy

This lyric of parental opposition is also known as “Nancy of Yarmouth” and “The Yarmouth Tragedy.” Returning safely to England from a forced voyage to Barbados, Jemmy is pushed overboard by a fellow crewman on instructions from Nancy’s father. His ghost appears to Nancy, who throws herself into the sea; the boatswain is hanged and the father dies of a broken heart. Possibly reflecting societal attitudes or desires, the perception of evil is not clear. Despite his death of a broken heart, the father neither repents of his action nor recognizes his actions as sinful.

The text appeared in broadsides, garlands, and chapbooks printed in England and in America and was collected from oral tradition on both sides of the Atlantic (Laws M38; Roud #187). It appeared in one songster in 1817 (R. Keller, Early American Songsters).