Traditional. Baring Gould Collection.
A Dartmoor ghost song inspired by the real life historical figure, Lady Mary Howard (1596-1671) of Fitzford House, Tavistock who outlived her four husbands and was later interpreted by folklore to be a wicked monster. In reality Mary’s life was full of tragedy and this is most likely the misremembered folk memory of her father John Fitz who genuinely was a nasty piece of work, famously murdering his best friend. Baring Gould learnt this song from his nurse, Mary Bickle of Bratton Clovelly.