Sweet William of Plymouth

This text about a sailor and his girl includes parental opposition, accidental meetings, and lovers’ luck. It was printed as early as 1735 by William Dicey and appeared on a broadside printed in New London, Connecticut, around 1774 (Bristol B11194; Gardham, EFDSS 13; Dicey). It had many titles over the years, among them “William and Susan” and “The Fortunate Lovers,” but never an associated tune. A tune did exist, however: The Bookseller’s Dream, A New Song. Tune Sweet William of Plymouth (1805) begins with the lines: “Come ladies, I’ll tell you a fanciful dream.” Sadly, the tune called “Sweet William & Susan” does not fit these lyrics (W. Perkins 56). A performance of the song is described in The Lowell Offering when

Uncle Peter, the notorious singer, was called upon the board to fill the interim with songs such as the company should choose to select. The first that was called for was “Sweet William,” as we thought this would be appropriate for the occasion; and a very excellent song it is too, though as long as the moral law, containing about fifty verses; but who ever became weary of hearing it sung? It commences thus—

A seaman of Plymouth, sweet William by name,
A wooing to beautiful Susan he came, &c.

Then followed “Black-eyed Susan.” I forgot to tell you that the newly-made bride was “Susan by name,” and this was why the Susan songs took the lead. (M. Green 5:51)