O God of the fatherless, pity my child!
The tune shows remarkable similarity to ‘As I Was A-Walking’ or ‘Grenadier and the Lady’, see JFSS viii., 194; also to ‘Westron Wynde’ from the early 16th century, see Jackson, English Melodies from the 13th to the 18th Century, p. 11. ‘Female Convict’ was widely sung in the early nineteenth century. The full title reads: “A Female Convict, After receiving pardon in the sight of God, thus addrest her infant. Set to music by R. Boyd.”
No. 43
[WEDLOCK (B)], OSH 115
Heptatonic aeolian, mode 2 A + b (I II 3 IV V 6 7)
When Adam was created, he dwelt in Eden’s shade,
As Moses has related, before a bride was made.
Ten thousand times ten thousand of creatures swarm’d around,
Before a bride was formed or any mate was found.
He had no consolation, but seemed as one alone,