1893-1988 Singer, folk dance and song collector and teacher.  The son of collector Peter Kennedy and a descendant of the well known Kennedy’s: Margaret Kennedy, Marjorie Kennedy Fraser and Patuffa Kennedy Fraser

Former Director of the English Folk Song Society. See:

Hame cam oor guidman at ‘een

From 78 rpm disk HMV B 10836 matrix OEA.17983. Recorded under the auspices of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

Goulden Vanitee

From 78 rpm disk HMV B 10836 matrix OEA.17982. Recorded under the auspices of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

From Collected Ballads by Francis James Child

“The Sweet Trinity (The Golden Vanity)”, no. 286

THERE was a gallant ship, and a gallant ship was she
Eck iddle du, and the Lowlands low
And she was called The Goulden Vanitie.
As she sailed to the Lowlands low

She had not sailed a league, a league but only three,
Eck, etc.
When she came up with a French gallee.
As she sailed, etc.

Out spoke the little cabin-boy, out spoke he;
‘What will you give me if I sink that French gallee?’
As ye sail, etc.

Out spoke the captain, out spoke he;
‘We’ll gie ye an estate in the North Countrie.’
As we sail, etc.

‘Then row me up ticht in a black bull’s skin,
And throw me oer deck-buird, sink I or swim.’
As ye sail, etc.

So they’ve rowed him up ticht in a black bull’s skin,
And have thrown him oer deck-buird, sink he or soom.
As they sail, etc.

About, and about, and about went he,
Until he cam up with the French gallee,
As they sailed, etc.

O some were playing cards, and some were playing dice,
When he took out an instrument, bored thrity holes at twice.
As they sailed, etc.

Then some they ran with cloaks, and some they ran with caps,
To try if they could stap the saut-water draps.
As they sailed, etc.

About, and about, and about went he,
Until he cam back to The Goulden Vanitie.
As they sailed, etc.

‘Now throw me oer a rope and pu me up on buird,
And prove unto me as guid as your word.’
As ye sail, etc.

‘We’ll no throw you oer a rope, nor pu you up on buird,
Nor prove unto you as guid as our word.’
As we sail, etc.

Out spoke the little cabin-boy, out spoke he;
Then hang me, I’ll sink ye as I sunk the French gallee.
As ye sail, etc.

But they’ve thrown him oer a rope, and have pu’d him up on buird,
And have proved unto him far better than their word.
As they sailed, etc.