234CHARLIE MACPHERSON
A.‘Charlie MacPherson,’ Harris MS., fol. 23 b.
B.‘Charlie M’Pherson,’ Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 85.
Charlie Macpherson comes to Kinaldie with a large party of men from the West Isle to take away Helen, whom he has long courted,A1, 4. Helen’s mother is obliged to admit them. When her daughter is asked for, MacPherson is told that she has gone to Whitehouse, to marry auld Gairn,A5 (Dalgairn,B12). The party go on to Whitehouse, where indeed they find Helen, and everybody there calling her bride. We expect a collision, and judging byA8 there was one, with the bride wishing well to the assailants. But inB(where there is no hint that Helen favors her irregular suitor), MacPherson comports himself very mildly, and only wishes, as he goes off, that his heavy heart may light on Whitehouse of Cromar.
The ballad was known to Mrs Brown ofFalkland.[136]She gives it the title of ‘The Carrying-off of the Heiress of Kinady,’ from which it is warrantable to conclude that MacPherson was so far successful.
There are several Kinaldies and more than one Whitehouse. The Kinaldie which we have to do with here is a small place in the parish of Logie-Coldstone, Cromar. Milton of Whitehouse is about a mile to the south of Kinaldie, and seems to be the place intended by Whitehouse o Cromar,B18, 20. Braemar,A71, should then be Cromar.
Harris MS., fol. 23 b; from Mrs Harris’s singing.
1Charlie MacPherson, that braw Hieland lad[die],On Valentine’s even cam doun to Kinaltie,Courtit Burd Hellen, baith wakin an sleepin:‘Oh, fair fa them has my love in keepin!’2Charlie MacPherson cam doun the dykeside,Baith Milton an Muirton an a’ bein his guide;Baith Milton an Muirton an auld Water Nairn,A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.3Whan he cam to the hoose o Kinaltie,‘Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!For here’s a commission come frae your gude-son.4‘Madam,’ says Charlie, ‘whare [i]s your dochter?Mony time have I come to Kinatie an socht her;Noo maun she goe wi me mony a mile,Because I’ve brocht mony men frae the West Isle.’5‘As for my dochter, she has gane abroad.You’ll no get her for her tocher gude;She’s on to Whitehouse, to marry auld Gairn:Oh, fair fa them that wait on my bairn!’6Charlie MacPherson gaed up the dykeside,Baith Muirtoun an Milton an a’ bein his guide;Baith Muirton an Milton an auld Water Nairn,A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.7Whan he cam to the hoose in Braemar,Sae weel as he kent that his Nellie was there!An Nellie was sittin upon the bed-side,An every one there was ca’ing her, bride.8The canles gaed oot, they waurna weel licht,Swords an spears they glancet fou bricht;Sae laith as she was her true-love to beguile,Because he brocht mony men frae the West Isle.* * * * * *
1Charlie MacPherson, that braw Hieland lad[die],On Valentine’s even cam doun to Kinaltie,Courtit Burd Hellen, baith wakin an sleepin:‘Oh, fair fa them has my love in keepin!’2Charlie MacPherson cam doun the dykeside,Baith Milton an Muirton an a’ bein his guide;Baith Milton an Muirton an auld Water Nairn,A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.3Whan he cam to the hoose o Kinaltie,‘Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!For here’s a commission come frae your gude-son.4‘Madam,’ says Charlie, ‘whare [i]s your dochter?Mony time have I come to Kinatie an socht her;Noo maun she goe wi me mony a mile,Because I’ve brocht mony men frae the West Isle.’5‘As for my dochter, she has gane abroad.You’ll no get her for her tocher gude;She’s on to Whitehouse, to marry auld Gairn:Oh, fair fa them that wait on my bairn!’6Charlie MacPherson gaed up the dykeside,Baith Muirtoun an Milton an a’ bein his guide;Baith Muirton an Milton an auld Water Nairn,A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.7Whan he cam to the hoose in Braemar,Sae weel as he kent that his Nellie was there!An Nellie was sittin upon the bed-side,An every one there was ca’ing her, bride.8The canles gaed oot, they waurna weel licht,Swords an spears they glancet fou bricht;Sae laith as she was her true-love to beguile,Because he brocht mony men frae the West Isle.* * * * * *
1Charlie MacPherson, that braw Hieland lad[die],On Valentine’s even cam doun to Kinaltie,Courtit Burd Hellen, baith wakin an sleepin:‘Oh, fair fa them has my love in keepin!’
1
Charlie MacPherson, that braw Hieland lad[die],
On Valentine’s even cam doun to Kinaltie,
Courtit Burd Hellen, baith wakin an sleepin:
‘Oh, fair fa them has my love in keepin!’
2Charlie MacPherson cam doun the dykeside,Baith Milton an Muirton an a’ bein his guide;Baith Milton an Muirton an auld Water Nairn,A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.
2
Charlie MacPherson cam doun the dykeside,
Baith Milton an Muirton an a’ bein his guide;
Baith Milton an Muirton an auld Water Nairn,
A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.
3Whan he cam to the hoose o Kinaltie,‘Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!For here’s a commission come frae your gude-son.
3
Whan he cam to the hoose o Kinaltie,
‘Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!
Open your yetts, mistress, an lat us come in!
For here’s a commission come frae your gude-son.
4‘Madam,’ says Charlie, ‘whare [i]s your dochter?Mony time have I come to Kinatie an socht her;Noo maun she goe wi me mony a mile,Because I’ve brocht mony men frae the West Isle.’
4
‘Madam,’ says Charlie, ‘whare [i]s your dochter?
Mony time have I come to Kinatie an socht her;
Noo maun she goe wi me mony a mile,
Because I’ve brocht mony men frae the West Isle.’
5‘As for my dochter, she has gane abroad.You’ll no get her for her tocher gude;She’s on to Whitehouse, to marry auld Gairn:Oh, fair fa them that wait on my bairn!’
5
‘As for my dochter, she has gane abroad.
You’ll no get her for her tocher gude;
She’s on to Whitehouse, to marry auld Gairn:
Oh, fair fa them that wait on my bairn!’
6Charlie MacPherson gaed up the dykeside,Baith Muirtoun an Milton an a’ bein his guide;Baith Muirton an Milton an auld Water Nairn,A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.
6
Charlie MacPherson gaed up the dykeside,
Baith Muirtoun an Milton an a’ bein his guide;
Baith Muirton an Milton an auld Water Nairn,
A’ gaed wi him, for to be his warn.
7Whan he cam to the hoose in Braemar,Sae weel as he kent that his Nellie was there!An Nellie was sittin upon the bed-side,An every one there was ca’ing her, bride.
7
Whan he cam to the hoose in Braemar,
Sae weel as he kent that his Nellie was there!
An Nellie was sittin upon the bed-side,
An every one there was ca’ing her, bride.
8The canles gaed oot, they waurna weel licht,Swords an spears they glancet fou bricht;Sae laith as she was her true-love to beguile,Because he brocht mony men frae the West Isle.
8
The canles gaed oot, they waurna weel licht,
Swords an spears they glancet fou bricht;
Sae laith as she was her true-love to beguile,
Because he brocht mony men frae the West Isle.
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
B
Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 85.
1Charlie M’Pherson, that brisk Highland laddie,At Valentine even he came to Kinadie:2To court her Burd Helen, baith waking and sleeping;Joy be wi them that has her a keeping!3Auldtown and Muirtown, likewise Billy Beg,All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his guide.4Jamie M’Robbie, likewise Wattie Nairn,All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his warran.5When they came to Kinadie, they knockd at the door;When nae ane woud answer, they gaed a loud roar.6‘Ye’ll open the door, mistress, and lat us come in;For tidings we’ve brought frae your appearant guid-son.’7For to defend them, she was not able;They bangd up the stair, sat down at the table.8‘Ye’ll eat and drink, gentlemen, and eat at your leisure;Nae thing’s disturb you, take what’s your pleasure.’9‘O madam,’ said he, ‘I’m come for your daughter;Lang hae I come to Kinadie and there sought her.10‘Now she’s gae wi me for mony a mile,Before that I return unto the West Isle.’11‘My daughter’s not at home, she is gone abroad;Ye darena now steal her, her tocher is guid.12‘My daughter’s in Whitehouse, wi Mistress Dalgairn;Joy be wi them that waits on my bairn!’13The swords an the targe that hang about Charlie,They had sic a glitter, and set him sae rarelie!14They had sic a glitter, and kiest sic a glamour,They showed mair light than they had in the chamour.15To Whitehouse he went, and when he came thereRight sair was his heart when he went up the stair.16Burd Helen was sitting by Thomas’ bed-side,And all in the house were addressing her, bride.17‘O farewell now, Helen, I’ll bid you adieu;Is this a’ the comfort I’m getting frae you?18‘It was never my intention ye shoud be the waur;My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!19‘For you I hae travelled full mony lang mile,Awa to Kinadie, far frae the West Isle.20‘But now ye are married, and I am the waur;My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!’
1Charlie M’Pherson, that brisk Highland laddie,At Valentine even he came to Kinadie:2To court her Burd Helen, baith waking and sleeping;Joy be wi them that has her a keeping!3Auldtown and Muirtown, likewise Billy Beg,All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his guide.4Jamie M’Robbie, likewise Wattie Nairn,All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his warran.5When they came to Kinadie, they knockd at the door;When nae ane woud answer, they gaed a loud roar.6‘Ye’ll open the door, mistress, and lat us come in;For tidings we’ve brought frae your appearant guid-son.’7For to defend them, she was not able;They bangd up the stair, sat down at the table.8‘Ye’ll eat and drink, gentlemen, and eat at your leisure;Nae thing’s disturb you, take what’s your pleasure.’9‘O madam,’ said he, ‘I’m come for your daughter;Lang hae I come to Kinadie and there sought her.10‘Now she’s gae wi me for mony a mile,Before that I return unto the West Isle.’11‘My daughter’s not at home, she is gone abroad;Ye darena now steal her, her tocher is guid.12‘My daughter’s in Whitehouse, wi Mistress Dalgairn;Joy be wi them that waits on my bairn!’13The swords an the targe that hang about Charlie,They had sic a glitter, and set him sae rarelie!14They had sic a glitter, and kiest sic a glamour,They showed mair light than they had in the chamour.15To Whitehouse he went, and when he came thereRight sair was his heart when he went up the stair.16Burd Helen was sitting by Thomas’ bed-side,And all in the house were addressing her, bride.17‘O farewell now, Helen, I’ll bid you adieu;Is this a’ the comfort I’m getting frae you?18‘It was never my intention ye shoud be the waur;My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!19‘For you I hae travelled full mony lang mile,Awa to Kinadie, far frae the West Isle.20‘But now ye are married, and I am the waur;My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!’
1Charlie M’Pherson, that brisk Highland laddie,At Valentine even he came to Kinadie:
1
Charlie M’Pherson, that brisk Highland laddie,
At Valentine even he came to Kinadie:
2To court her Burd Helen, baith waking and sleeping;Joy be wi them that has her a keeping!
2
To court her Burd Helen, baith waking and sleeping;
Joy be wi them that has her a keeping!
3Auldtown and Muirtown, likewise Billy Beg,All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his guide.
3
Auldtown and Muirtown, likewise Billy Beg,
All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his guide.
4Jamie M’Robbie, likewise Wattie Nairn,All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his warran.
4
Jamie M’Robbie, likewise Wattie Nairn,
All gaed wi Charlie, for to be his warran.
5When they came to Kinadie, they knockd at the door;When nae ane woud answer, they gaed a loud roar.
5
When they came to Kinadie, they knockd at the door;
When nae ane woud answer, they gaed a loud roar.
6‘Ye’ll open the door, mistress, and lat us come in;For tidings we’ve brought frae your appearant guid-son.’
6
‘Ye’ll open the door, mistress, and lat us come in;
For tidings we’ve brought frae your appearant guid-son.’
7For to defend them, she was not able;They bangd up the stair, sat down at the table.
7
For to defend them, she was not able;
They bangd up the stair, sat down at the table.
8‘Ye’ll eat and drink, gentlemen, and eat at your leisure;Nae thing’s disturb you, take what’s your pleasure.’
8
‘Ye’ll eat and drink, gentlemen, and eat at your leisure;
Nae thing’s disturb you, take what’s your pleasure.’
9‘O madam,’ said he, ‘I’m come for your daughter;Lang hae I come to Kinadie and there sought her.
9
‘O madam,’ said he, ‘I’m come for your daughter;
Lang hae I come to Kinadie and there sought her.
10‘Now she’s gae wi me for mony a mile,Before that I return unto the West Isle.’
10
‘Now she’s gae wi me for mony a mile,
Before that I return unto the West Isle.’
11‘My daughter’s not at home, she is gone abroad;Ye darena now steal her, her tocher is guid.
11
‘My daughter’s not at home, she is gone abroad;
Ye darena now steal her, her tocher is guid.
12‘My daughter’s in Whitehouse, wi Mistress Dalgairn;Joy be wi them that waits on my bairn!’
12
‘My daughter’s in Whitehouse, wi Mistress Dalgairn;
Joy be wi them that waits on my bairn!’
13The swords an the targe that hang about Charlie,They had sic a glitter, and set him sae rarelie!
13
The swords an the targe that hang about Charlie,
They had sic a glitter, and set him sae rarelie!
14They had sic a glitter, and kiest sic a glamour,They showed mair light than they had in the chamour.
14
They had sic a glitter, and kiest sic a glamour,
They showed mair light than they had in the chamour.
15To Whitehouse he went, and when he came thereRight sair was his heart when he went up the stair.
15
To Whitehouse he went, and when he came there
Right sair was his heart when he went up the stair.
16Burd Helen was sitting by Thomas’ bed-side,And all in the house were addressing her, bride.
16
Burd Helen was sitting by Thomas’ bed-side,
And all in the house were addressing her, bride.
17‘O farewell now, Helen, I’ll bid you adieu;Is this a’ the comfort I’m getting frae you?
17
‘O farewell now, Helen, I’ll bid you adieu;
Is this a’ the comfort I’m getting frae you?
18‘It was never my intention ye shoud be the waur;My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!
18
‘It was never my intention ye shoud be the waur;
My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!
19‘For you I hae travelled full mony lang mile,Awa to Kinadie, far frae the West Isle.
19
‘For you I hae travelled full mony lang mile,
Awa to Kinadie, far frae the West Isle.
20‘But now ye are married, and I am the waur;My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!’
20
‘But now ye are married, and I am the waur;
My heavy heart light on Whitehouse o Cromar!’
A.
Air, Whilk o ye lasses.
B.
Printed in stanzas of four short lines.