[Intro]
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
A G A D G A D
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
D A
His wicked conscience smited him, he lost his stomach daily
D G A D
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
D A
Said he, "I am a handsome man and I'm a gay deceiver"
D A
His candle, just a twelve o'clock, began to burn quite palely
D G A D
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"
D A
"Dear Captain Smith," the ghost replied, "you used me ungenteelly
D A
The coroner's quest goes hard with me because I've acted freely
D G A D
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
D A
I have a one pound note in my regimental smallclothes
D A
'Twill bribe the sexton for your grave." The ghost then answered gaily
D G A D G A D
"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."