The Unfortunate Miss Bailey

D

[Verse]
(Spoken)
N.C.
In seventeen forty-two, it was customary in the township of Halifax
N.C.
for a gentleman to partake occasionally of Ratafia which was a light-
N.C.
flavoured liqueur of amazing potency, which originated in Middlesex
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and which we suppose is the reason for this song

[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
  Em              D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!

[Verse]
                                                A
A captain bold in Halifax, who dwelt in country quarters
  D                                                   A
Seduced a maid, who hanged herself, one Monday in her garters
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His wicked conscience smited him, he lost his stomach daily
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He took to drinking Ratafia and thought upon Miss Bailey

[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
  Em              D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!

[Verse]
                                                        A
One night betimes he went to bed, for he had caught the fever
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Said he, "I am a handsome man and I'm a gay deceiver"
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His candle, just a twelve o'clock, began to burn quite palely
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A ghost stepped up to his bedside and said, "Behold, Miss Bailey!"

[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
  Em              D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!

[Verse]
                                                             A
"Avast, Miss Bailey," then he cried, "you can't affright me, really"
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"Dear Captain Smith," the ghost replied, "you used me ungenteelly
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The coroner's quest goes hard with me because I've acted freely
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And Parson Biggs won't bury me though I'm a dead Miss Bailey"

[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
  Em              D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!

[Verse]
                                                                   A
"Dear Ma'am," says he, "since you and I must once for all accounts close
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I have a one pound note in my regimental smallclothes
       D                                                         A
'Twill bribe the sexton for your grave." The ghost then answered gaily
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"Bless you, wicked Captain Smith, remember poor Miss Bailey!"

[Chorus]
D
Oh, Miss Bailey!
  Em              D
Unfortunate, Miss Bailey!

[Outro]
 D
"All's well that ends well, I suppose."