Page:A book of the west; being an introduction to Devon and Cornwall.djvu/131

Rh claimed (but the claim may be questioned) to have composed both words and melody, so that the song, though of country origin, is not very ancient:—

Near Crediton, at Creedy Bridge, was born John Davy, the composer of the popular song "The Bay of Biscay." He was baptised on Christmas Day, 1763, at Upton Hellions, and was an illegitimate child; but he was tenderly brought up by his uncle, a village blacksmith, who played the violoncello in Upton Hellions Church choir.