In seventeen forty-two, it was customary in the township of Halifax   For a gentleman to partake occasionally of ratafia   Which was a light-flavored liquor of amazing potency   Which originated in middle sex   And which we suppose is the reason for this song      Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate, Miss Bailey      A captain bold in Halifax who dwelt in country quarters   Seduced a maid who hung herself one Monday in her garters   His wicked conscience smitted him, he lost his stomach daily   He took to drinking ratafia and thought upon Miss Bailey      Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate, Miss Bailey      One night betimes, he went to bed for he had caught the fever   Said he, "I am a handsome man and I'm a gay deceiver"   His candle just a twelve o'clock began to burn quite palely   A ghost stepped up to his bedside and said, "Behold, Miss Bailey"      Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate, Miss Bailey      "Avast, Miss Bailey," then he cried, "You can't affright me, really"   "Dear Captain Smith," the ghost replied, "You used me ungenteelly?   The coroner's quest goes hard with me because I've acted freely   And Parson Biggs won't bury me though I'm a dead Miss Bailey"      Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate, Miss Bailey      "Dear Mam," says he, "Since you and I must once for all accounts close   I have a one pound note in my regimental small clothes   'Twill bribe the sexton for your grave," the ghost then answered gaily   "Bless you, wicked Captain Smith, remember poor Miss Bailey"      Oh, Miss Bailey! Unfortunate, Miss Bailey      All's well that ends well, I suppose