293

JOHN OF HAZELGREEN

A.Elizabeth Cochrane’s MS., p. 126.B.‘Jock o Hazelgreen,’ Kinloch MSS, VII, 135; Kinloch’s Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 206.C.‘John o Hazelgreen,’ Kinloch MSS, I, 319.D. a.‘John o Hazelgreen,’ Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 253.b.‘Jock of Hazelgreen,’ Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 319.E. a.Fragmentary verses obtained by Mr Pringle, Kinloch MSS, I, 321.b.Kinloch MSS, VII, 2, one stanza.

A.Elizabeth Cochrane’s MS., p. 126.

B.‘Jock o Hazelgreen,’ Kinloch MSS, VII, 135; Kinloch’s Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 206.

C.‘John o Hazelgreen,’ Kinloch MSS, I, 319.

D. a.‘John o Hazelgreen,’ Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 253.b.‘Jock of Hazelgreen,’ Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 319.

E. a.Fragmentary verses obtained by Mr Pringle, Kinloch MSS, I, 321.b.Kinloch MSS, VII, 2, one stanza.

Ais found, with the doubtless accidental variation of three words, in a folio volume at Abbotsford labelled Miscellanies, article 43, having been transcribed by C. K. Sharpe for Sir W. Scott “from a 4to MS., in a female hand, written probably about one hundred years ago, sold at one Inglis’s roup at the West Port, Edinburgh, now in the possession of David Laing” (that is, Elizabeth Cochrane’s MS.).D bwas compounded fromD aandB, “omitting,” says Chambers, “many of the coarser stanzas of both, and improving a few by collation with a third version which I took down from recitation, and another whichhas been shown to me in manuscript by Mr Kinloch” (C).D bis, after all, mainlyD awith omissions; the improvements from the recited copy (or the variations from Buchan and Kinloch) are not remarkable in amount or quality.Eis given on Kinloch’s authority. Alexander Campbell, when on a tour on the borders of Scotland to collect Scottish airs, is said to have received the first stanza from Mr Thomas Pringle, who derived it from his mother’s singing. (Chappell, Popular Music, p. 575.) Upon this traditional stanza was built Scott’s ‘Jock of Hazeldean,’ first printed in Campbell’s Albyn’s Anthology, I, 18, 1816.

A.A gentleman overhears a damsel making a moan for Sir John of Hazelgreen. After some compliment on his part, and some slight information on hers, he tells her that Hazelgreen is married; then there is nothing for her to do, she says, but to hold her peace and die for him. The gentleman proposes that she shall let Hazelgreen go, marry his eldest son, and be made a gay lady; she is too mean a maid for that, and, anyway, had rather die for the object of her affection. Still she allows the gentleman to take her up behind him on his horse, and to buy clothes for her at Biggar, though all the time dropping tears for Hazelgreen. After the shopping they mount again, and at last they come to the gentleman’s place, when the son runs out to welcome his father. The son is young Hazelgreen, who takes the maid in his arms and kisses off the still-falling tears. The father declares that the two shall be married the next day, and the young man have the family lands.

The other versions have the same story, but the clothes are bought at Edinburgh, and the Hazelgreen estate seems to be in the neighborhood.

In a preface toC, Kinloch, following eitherD5 or some foolish popular gloss, remarks that the lady is presumed to have seen young Hazelgreen only in a dream, which left so deep an impression on her mind as to cause her to fall in love with his image. To improve upon this,D15 makes the young man also to have seen the maid in a dream.

Elizabeth Cochrane’s MS., p. 126.

1Into a sweet May morning,As the sun clearly shone,I heard a propper damsellMaking a heavy moan;Making a heavy moan,I marvelled what she did mean,And it was for a gentleman,Sir John of Hasillgreen.2‘What aileth thee now, bony maid,To mourn so sore into the tide?O happy were the man,’ he sayes,‘That had thee to his bride,To ly down by his side;Then he were not to mean;’But still she let the tears down fallFor pleasant Hasilgreen.3‘Oh what for a man is Hasillgreen?Sweet heart, pray tell to me.’‘He is a propper gentleman,Dwels in the South Countrie;With shoulders broad and arms long,And comely to be seen;His hairs are like the threeds of gold,My pleasant Hasilgreen.’4‘Now Hasilgreen is married,Let all this talking be.’‘If Hasilgreen be married,This day then woe to me;For I may sigh and sob no more,But close my weeping een,And hold my peace and cry no more,But dy for Hasilgreen.’5‘Will you let Hasilgreen alone,And go along with me?I’ll marry you on my eldest son,Make you a gay lady.’‘Make me a gay lady?’ she sayes,‘I am a maid too mean;I’ll rather stay at home,’ she cries,‘And dy for Hasilgreen.’6He takes this pretty maid him behindAnd fast he spurred the horse,And they’re away to Bigger toun,Then in to Biggar Cross.Their lodging was far sought,And so was it foreseen;But still she let the tears doun fallFor pleasant Hasillgreen.7He’s ta’en this pretty maid by the hand,And he is doun the toun;He bought for her a pettycoat,Yea, and a trailing goun;A silken kell fitt for her head,Laid oer with silver sheen;But still she let the tears doun fallFor pleasant Hasilgreen.8He’s taen this bony mey him behind,And he is to the Place,Where there was mirth and merryness,And ladyes fair of face;And ladyes fair of face,Right seemly to be seen,But still she let the tears doun fallFor pleasant Hasilgreen.9Young Hasilgreen ran hastilieTo welcome his father dear;He’s ta’en that pretty maid in his arms,And kist off her falling tear:‘O bony mey, now for thy sakeI would be rent and rien;I would give all my father’s landsTo have thee in Hasilgreen.’10‘O hold your tongue now, son,’ he sayes,‘Let no more talking be;This maid has come right far from homeThis day to visit thee.This day should been your wedding-day,It shall be thy bridall-een,And thou’s get all thy father’s lands,And dwell in Hasillgreen.’

1Into a sweet May morning,As the sun clearly shone,I heard a propper damsellMaking a heavy moan;Making a heavy moan,I marvelled what she did mean,And it was for a gentleman,Sir John of Hasillgreen.

Into a sweet May morning,

As the sun clearly shone,

I heard a propper damsell

Making a heavy moan;

Making a heavy moan,

I marvelled what she did mean,

And it was for a gentleman,

Sir John of Hasillgreen.

2‘What aileth thee now, bony maid,To mourn so sore into the tide?O happy were the man,’ he sayes,‘That had thee to his bride,To ly down by his side;Then he were not to mean;’But still she let the tears down fallFor pleasant Hasilgreen.

‘What aileth thee now, bony maid,

To mourn so sore into the tide?

O happy were the man,’ he sayes,

‘That had thee to his bride,

To ly down by his side;

Then he were not to mean;’

But still she let the tears down fall

For pleasant Hasilgreen.

3‘Oh what for a man is Hasillgreen?Sweet heart, pray tell to me.’‘He is a propper gentleman,Dwels in the South Countrie;With shoulders broad and arms long,And comely to be seen;His hairs are like the threeds of gold,My pleasant Hasilgreen.’

‘Oh what for a man is Hasillgreen?

Sweet heart, pray tell to me.’

‘He is a propper gentleman,

Dwels in the South Countrie;

With shoulders broad and arms long,

And comely to be seen;

His hairs are like the threeds of gold,

My pleasant Hasilgreen.’

4‘Now Hasilgreen is married,Let all this talking be.’‘If Hasilgreen be married,This day then woe to me;For I may sigh and sob no more,But close my weeping een,And hold my peace and cry no more,But dy for Hasilgreen.’

‘Now Hasilgreen is married,

Let all this talking be.’

‘If Hasilgreen be married,

This day then woe to me;

For I may sigh and sob no more,

But close my weeping een,

And hold my peace and cry no more,

But dy for Hasilgreen.’

5‘Will you let Hasilgreen alone,And go along with me?I’ll marry you on my eldest son,Make you a gay lady.’‘Make me a gay lady?’ she sayes,‘I am a maid too mean;I’ll rather stay at home,’ she cries,‘And dy for Hasilgreen.’

‘Will you let Hasilgreen alone,

And go along with me?

I’ll marry you on my eldest son,

Make you a gay lady.’

‘Make me a gay lady?’ she sayes,

‘I am a maid too mean;

I’ll rather stay at home,’ she cries,

‘And dy for Hasilgreen.’

6He takes this pretty maid him behindAnd fast he spurred the horse,And they’re away to Bigger toun,Then in to Biggar Cross.Their lodging was far sought,And so was it foreseen;But still she let the tears doun fallFor pleasant Hasillgreen.

He takes this pretty maid him behind

And fast he spurred the horse,

And they’re away to Bigger toun,

Then in to Biggar Cross.

Their lodging was far sought,

And so was it foreseen;

But still she let the tears doun fall

For pleasant Hasillgreen.

7He’s ta’en this pretty maid by the hand,And he is doun the toun;He bought for her a pettycoat,Yea, and a trailing goun;A silken kell fitt for her head,Laid oer with silver sheen;But still she let the tears doun fallFor pleasant Hasilgreen.

He’s ta’en this pretty maid by the hand,

And he is doun the toun;

He bought for her a pettycoat,

Yea, and a trailing goun;

A silken kell fitt for her head,

Laid oer with silver sheen;

But still she let the tears doun fall

For pleasant Hasilgreen.

8He’s taen this bony mey him behind,And he is to the Place,Where there was mirth and merryness,And ladyes fair of face;And ladyes fair of face,Right seemly to be seen,But still she let the tears doun fallFor pleasant Hasilgreen.

He’s taen this bony mey him behind,

And he is to the Place,

Where there was mirth and merryness,

And ladyes fair of face;

And ladyes fair of face,

Right seemly to be seen,

But still she let the tears doun fall

For pleasant Hasilgreen.

9Young Hasilgreen ran hastilieTo welcome his father dear;He’s ta’en that pretty maid in his arms,And kist off her falling tear:‘O bony mey, now for thy sakeI would be rent and rien;I would give all my father’s landsTo have thee in Hasilgreen.’

Young Hasilgreen ran hastilie

To welcome his father dear;

He’s ta’en that pretty maid in his arms,

And kist off her falling tear:

‘O bony mey, now for thy sake

I would be rent and rien;

I would give all my father’s lands

To have thee in Hasilgreen.’

10‘O hold your tongue now, son,’ he sayes,‘Let no more talking be;This maid has come right far from homeThis day to visit thee.This day should been your wedding-day,It shall be thy bridall-een,And thou’s get all thy father’s lands,And dwell in Hasillgreen.’

‘O hold your tongue now, son,’ he sayes,

‘Let no more talking be;

This maid has come right far from home

This day to visit thee.

This day should been your wedding-day,

It shall be thy bridall-een,

And thou’s get all thy father’s lands,

And dwell in Hasillgreen.’

Kinloch’s MSS, VII, 135; from the recitation of Jenny Watson, Lanark, 24 April, 1826.

1It was on a morning early,Before day-licht did appear,I heard a pretty damselMaking a heavy bier;Making a heavy bier,I wonderd what she did mean;But ay the tears they rappit doun,Crying, O Jock o Hazelgreen!2‘O whare is this Hazelgreen, maid?That I may him see.’‘He is a ticht and a proper man,Lives in the South Cuntree.His shoulders broad, his arms lang,O he’s comely to be seen!’—But ay the tears they drappit dounFor Jock o Hazelgreen.3‘Will ye gang wi me, fair maid?. . . . . . .And I’ll marry ye on my son,’. . . . . . .‘Afore I’d go along wi you,To be married on your son,I’d rather choose to stay at hame,And die for Hazelgreen.’4But he has tane her up behind,And spurred on his horse,Till ance he cam to Embro toun,And lichted at the corss.He bought to her a petticoat,Besides a handsome goun;He tied a silver belt about her waist,Worth thrice three hunder pund.5And whan he cam to Hazelyetts,He lichted doun therein;Monie war the brave ladies there,Monie ane to be seen.She lichted doun amang them aw,She seemed to be the queen;But ay the tears they rappit dounFor Jock o Hazelgreen.6Young Hazelgreen took her by the handAnd led her out and in:Said, Bonnie lady, for your sake,I could be baith rent and rien;I wad gie aw my lands and rents,Tho I had kingdoms three,If I could hae the great pleasureTo enjoy thy fair bodie.7‘No more of this,’ his father said,‘Of your mourning let abee;I brought the damsel far frae hame,She’s thrice as wae for thee.The morn is your bridal-day,The nicht is your bridal-een,And I’ll gie you aw my lands and rents,My pleasing son, Hazelgreen.’

It was on a morning early,

Before day-licht did appear,

I heard a pretty damsel

Making a heavy bier;

Making a heavy bier,

I wonderd what she did mean;

But ay the tears they rappit doun,

Crying, O Jock o Hazelgreen!

2‘O whare is this Hazelgreen, maid?That I may him see.’‘He is a ticht and a proper man,Lives in the South Cuntree.His shoulders broad, his arms lang,O he’s comely to be seen!’—But ay the tears they drappit dounFor Jock o Hazelgreen.

‘O whare is this Hazelgreen, maid?

That I may him see.’

‘He is a ticht and a proper man,

Lives in the South Cuntree.

His shoulders broad, his arms lang,

O he’s comely to be seen!’—

But ay the tears they drappit doun

For Jock o Hazelgreen.

3‘Will ye gang wi me, fair maid?. . . . . . .And I’ll marry ye on my son,’. . . . . . .‘Afore I’d go along wi you,To be married on your son,I’d rather choose to stay at hame,And die for Hazelgreen.’

‘Will ye gang wi me, fair maid?

. . . . . . .

And I’ll marry ye on my son,’

. . . . . . .

‘Afore I’d go along wi you,

To be married on your son,

I’d rather choose to stay at hame,

And die for Hazelgreen.’

4But he has tane her up behind,And spurred on his horse,Till ance he cam to Embro toun,And lichted at the corss.He bought to her a petticoat,Besides a handsome goun;He tied a silver belt about her waist,Worth thrice three hunder pund.

But he has tane her up behind,

And spurred on his horse,

Till ance he cam to Embro toun,

And lichted at the corss.

He bought to her a petticoat,

Besides a handsome goun;

He tied a silver belt about her waist,

Worth thrice three hunder pund.

5And whan he cam to Hazelyetts,He lichted doun therein;Monie war the brave ladies there,Monie ane to be seen.She lichted doun amang them aw,She seemed to be the queen;But ay the tears they rappit dounFor Jock o Hazelgreen.

And whan he cam to Hazelyetts,

He lichted doun therein;

Monie war the brave ladies there,

Monie ane to be seen.

She lichted doun amang them aw,

She seemed to be the queen;

But ay the tears they rappit doun

For Jock o Hazelgreen.

6Young Hazelgreen took her by the handAnd led her out and in:Said, Bonnie lady, for your sake,I could be baith rent and rien;I wad gie aw my lands and rents,Tho I had kingdoms three,If I could hae the great pleasureTo enjoy thy fair bodie.

Young Hazelgreen took her by the hand

And led her out and in:

Said, Bonnie lady, for your sake,

I could be baith rent and rien;

I wad gie aw my lands and rents,

Tho I had kingdoms three,

If I could hae the great pleasure

To enjoy thy fair bodie.

7‘No more of this,’ his father said,‘Of your mourning let abee;I brought the damsel far frae hame,She’s thrice as wae for thee.The morn is your bridal-day,The nicht is your bridal-een,And I’ll gie you aw my lands and rents,My pleasing son, Hazelgreen.’

‘No more of this,’ his father said,

‘Of your mourning let abee;

I brought the damsel far frae hame,

She’s thrice as wae for thee.

The morn is your bridal-day,

The nicht is your bridal-een,

And I’ll gie you aw my lands and rents,

My pleasing son, Hazelgreen.’

Kinloch MSS, I, 319.

1As I gaed out in a May morning,Afore that I could see,And there I heard a pretty fair mayMaking sweet melodie.She was making sic melodie,I wonderd what she could mean;But ay she sang and sang aboutSweet John o Hazelgreen.2‘O what na man is Hazelgreen?Fair may, pray tell to me.’‘He is a stout and a tall young manAs in a’ the South Countrie.He is a stout and a tall young man,And comely to be seen;But still O I maun weep and wailFor John o Hazelgreen.’3‘Hold your tongue, fair maid,’ he says,‘And let your weeping alane;I’ll marry you to my eldest son,And you shall be ca’d my dame.’4He has tane her on ahint him,And fast he spurred the steed;For Edinbro town he there was bound,Where they soon came wi speed.7He’s tane her to the Luckenbooths,Coft her a braw new gown,A handsome feather for her hat,And a pair o silken shoon.8He has tane the fair may up again,And fast awa rode he;For Hazelgreen now he was bound,Her lodging there to be.9She jumped aff frae ahint him,As fair as any queen;‘Come down, come down, Lord John,’ he says,‘And welcome your lady hame.10‘It is the tall and comely youth,Sweet John o Hazelgreen;If we canna see it bridal-day,It shall be bridal-een.’

As I gaed out in a May morning,

Afore that I could see,

And there I heard a pretty fair may

Making sweet melodie.

She was making sic melodie,

I wonderd what she could mean;

But ay she sang and sang about

Sweet John o Hazelgreen.

2‘O what na man is Hazelgreen?Fair may, pray tell to me.’‘He is a stout and a tall young manAs in a’ the South Countrie.He is a stout and a tall young man,And comely to be seen;But still O I maun weep and wailFor John o Hazelgreen.’

‘O what na man is Hazelgreen?

Fair may, pray tell to me.’

‘He is a stout and a tall young man

As in a’ the South Countrie.

He is a stout and a tall young man,

And comely to be seen;

But still O I maun weep and wail

For John o Hazelgreen.’

3‘Hold your tongue, fair maid,’ he says,‘And let your weeping alane;I’ll marry you to my eldest son,And you shall be ca’d my dame.’

‘Hold your tongue, fair maid,’ he says,

‘And let your weeping alane;

I’ll marry you to my eldest son,

And you shall be ca’d my dame.’

4He has tane her on ahint him,And fast he spurred the steed;For Edinbro town he there was bound,Where they soon came wi speed.

He has tane her on ahint him,

And fast he spurred the steed;

For Edinbro town he there was bound,

Where they soon came wi speed.

7He’s tane her to the Luckenbooths,Coft her a braw new gown,A handsome feather for her hat,And a pair o silken shoon.

He’s tane her to the Luckenbooths,

Coft her a braw new gown,

A handsome feather for her hat,

And a pair o silken shoon.

8He has tane the fair may up again,And fast awa rode he;For Hazelgreen now he was bound,Her lodging there to be.

He has tane the fair may up again,

And fast awa rode he;

For Hazelgreen now he was bound,

Her lodging there to be.

9She jumped aff frae ahint him,As fair as any queen;‘Come down, come down, Lord John,’ he says,‘And welcome your lady hame.

She jumped aff frae ahint him,

As fair as any queen;

‘Come down, come down, Lord John,’ he says,

‘And welcome your lady hame.

10‘It is the tall and comely youth,Sweet John o Hazelgreen;If we canna see it bridal-day,It shall be bridal-een.’

‘It is the tall and comely youth,

Sweet John o Hazelgreen;

If we canna see it bridal-day,

It shall be bridal-een.’

a.Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 253.b.Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 319.

1As I went forth to take the airIntill an evening clear,And there I spied a lady fair,Making a heavy bier;Making a heavy bier, I say,But and a piteous meen,And aye she sighd, and said, Alas,For John o Hazelgreen!2The sun was sinking in the west,The stars were shining clear,When thro the thickets o the wood,A gentleman did appear.Says, Who has done you the wrong, fair maid,And left you here alane?Or who has kissd your lovely lips,That ye ca Hazelgreen?3‘Hold your tongue, kind sir,’ she said,‘And do not banter so;How will ye add afflictionUnto a lover’s woe?For none’s done me the wrong,’ she said,‘Nor left me here alane;Nor none has kissd my lovely lips,That I ca Hazelgreen.’4‘Why weep ye by the tide, lady?Why weep ye by the tide?How blythe and happy might he beGets you to be his bride!Gets you to be his bride, fair maid,And him I’ll no bemean;But when I take my words again,Whom call ye Hazelgreen?5‘What like a man was Hazelgreen?Will ye show him to me?’‘He is a comely, proper youthI in my sleep did see;Wi arms tall, and fingers small,He’s comely to be seen;’And aye she loot the tears down fallFor John o Hazelgreen.6‘If ye’ll forsake young Hazelgreen,And go along with me,I’ll wed you to my eldest son,Make you a lady free.’‘It’s for to wed your eldest sonI am a maid oer mean;I’ll rather stay at home,’ she says‘And die for Hazelgreen.’7‘If ye’ll forsake young Hazelgreen,And go along with me,I’ll wed you to my second son,And your weight o gowd I’ll gie.’‘It’s for to wed your second sonI am a maid oer mean;I’ll rather stay at home,’ she says,‘And die for Hazelgreen.’8Then he’s taen out a siller comb,Combd down her yellow hair;And lookëd in a diamond bright,To see if she were fair.‘My girl, ye do all maids surpassThat ever I have seen;Cheer up your heart, my lovely lass,And hate young Hazelgreen.’9‘Young Hazelgreen he is my love,And ever mair shall be;I’ll nae forsake young HazelgreenFor a’ the gowd ye’ll gie.’But aye she sighd, and said, Alas!And made a piteous meen,And aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.10He lookëd high, and lighted low,Set her upon his horse;And they rode on to Edinburgh,To Edinburgh’s own cross.And when she in that city was,She lookd like ony queen:‘’Tis a pity such a lovely lassShoud love young Hazelgreen.’11‘Young Hazelgreen, he is my love,And ever mair shall be;I’ll nae forsake young HazelgreenFor a’ the gowd ye’ll gie.’And aye she sighd, and said, Alas!And made a piteous meen,And aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.12‘Now hold your tongue, my well-fard maid,Lat a’ your mourning be,And a’ endeavours I shall tryTo bring that youth to thee,If ye’ll tell me where your love stays,His stile and proper name.’‘He’s laird o Taperbank,’ she says,‘His stile, Young Hazelgreen.’13Then he has coft for that ladyA fine silk riding-gown,Likewise he coft for that ladyA steed, and set her on;Wi menji feathers in her hat,Silk stockings and siller sheen,And they are on to Taperbank,Seeking young Hazelgreen.14They nimbly rode along the way,And gently spurrd their horse,Till they rode on to Hazelgreen,To Hazelgreen’s own close.Then forth he came, young Hazelgreen,To welcome his father free:‘You’re welcome here, my father dear,And a’ your companie.’15But when he lookd oer his shoulder,A light laugh then gae he;Says, If I getna this lady,It’s for her I must die.I must confess this is the maidI ance saw in a dream,A walking thro a pleasant shade,As fair’s a cypress queen.16‘Now hold your tongue, young Hazelgreen,Lat a’ your folly be;If ye be wae for that lady,She’s thrice as wae for thee.She’s thrice as wae for thee, my son,As bitter doth complain;Well is she worthy o the rigsThat lie on Hazelgreen.’17He’s taen her in his arms twa,Led her thro bower and ha:‘Cheer up your heart, my dearest dear,Ye’re flower out-oer them a’.This night shall be our wedding-een,The morn we’ll say, Amen;Ye’se never mair hae cause to mourn,Ye’re lady o Hazelgreen.’

As I went forth to take the air

Intill an evening clear,

And there I spied a lady fair,

Making a heavy bier;

Making a heavy bier, I say,

But and a piteous meen,

And aye she sighd, and said, Alas,

For John o Hazelgreen!

2The sun was sinking in the west,The stars were shining clear,When thro the thickets o the wood,A gentleman did appear.Says, Who has done you the wrong, fair maid,And left you here alane?Or who has kissd your lovely lips,That ye ca Hazelgreen?

The sun was sinking in the west,

The stars were shining clear,

When thro the thickets o the wood,

A gentleman did appear.

Says, Who has done you the wrong, fair maid,

And left you here alane?

Or who has kissd your lovely lips,

That ye ca Hazelgreen?

3‘Hold your tongue, kind sir,’ she said,‘And do not banter so;How will ye add afflictionUnto a lover’s woe?For none’s done me the wrong,’ she said,‘Nor left me here alane;Nor none has kissd my lovely lips,That I ca Hazelgreen.’

‘Hold your tongue, kind sir,’ she said,

‘And do not banter so;

How will ye add affliction

Unto a lover’s woe?

For none’s done me the wrong,’ she said,

‘Nor left me here alane;

Nor none has kissd my lovely lips,

That I ca Hazelgreen.’

4‘Why weep ye by the tide, lady?Why weep ye by the tide?How blythe and happy might he beGets you to be his bride!Gets you to be his bride, fair maid,And him I’ll no bemean;But when I take my words again,Whom call ye Hazelgreen?

‘Why weep ye by the tide, lady?

Why weep ye by the tide?

How blythe and happy might he be

Gets you to be his bride!

Gets you to be his bride, fair maid,

And him I’ll no bemean;

But when I take my words again,

Whom call ye Hazelgreen?

5‘What like a man was Hazelgreen?Will ye show him to me?’‘He is a comely, proper youthI in my sleep did see;Wi arms tall, and fingers small,He’s comely to be seen;’And aye she loot the tears down fallFor John o Hazelgreen.

‘What like a man was Hazelgreen?

Will ye show him to me?’

‘He is a comely, proper youth

I in my sleep did see;

Wi arms tall, and fingers small,

He’s comely to be seen;’

And aye she loot the tears down fall

For John o Hazelgreen.

6‘If ye’ll forsake young Hazelgreen,And go along with me,I’ll wed you to my eldest son,Make you a lady free.’‘It’s for to wed your eldest sonI am a maid oer mean;I’ll rather stay at home,’ she says‘And die for Hazelgreen.’

‘If ye’ll forsake young Hazelgreen,

And go along with me,

I’ll wed you to my eldest son,

Make you a lady free.’

‘It’s for to wed your eldest son

I am a maid oer mean;

I’ll rather stay at home,’ she says

‘And die for Hazelgreen.’

7‘If ye’ll forsake young Hazelgreen,And go along with me,I’ll wed you to my second son,And your weight o gowd I’ll gie.’‘It’s for to wed your second sonI am a maid oer mean;I’ll rather stay at home,’ she says,‘And die for Hazelgreen.’

‘If ye’ll forsake young Hazelgreen,

And go along with me,

I’ll wed you to my second son,

And your weight o gowd I’ll gie.’

‘It’s for to wed your second son

I am a maid oer mean;

I’ll rather stay at home,’ she says,

‘And die for Hazelgreen.’

8Then he’s taen out a siller comb,Combd down her yellow hair;And lookëd in a diamond bright,To see if she were fair.‘My girl, ye do all maids surpassThat ever I have seen;Cheer up your heart, my lovely lass,And hate young Hazelgreen.’

Then he’s taen out a siller comb,

Combd down her yellow hair;

And lookëd in a diamond bright,

To see if she were fair.

‘My girl, ye do all maids surpass

That ever I have seen;

Cheer up your heart, my lovely lass,

And hate young Hazelgreen.’

9‘Young Hazelgreen he is my love,And ever mair shall be;I’ll nae forsake young HazelgreenFor a’ the gowd ye’ll gie.’But aye she sighd, and said, Alas!And made a piteous meen,And aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.

‘Young Hazelgreen he is my love,

And ever mair shall be;

I’ll nae forsake young Hazelgreen

For a’ the gowd ye’ll gie.’

But aye she sighd, and said, Alas!

And made a piteous meen,

And aye she loot the tears down fa

For John o Hazelgreen.

10He lookëd high, and lighted low,Set her upon his horse;And they rode on to Edinburgh,To Edinburgh’s own cross.And when she in that city was,She lookd like ony queen:‘’Tis a pity such a lovely lassShoud love young Hazelgreen.’

He lookëd high, and lighted low,

Set her upon his horse;

And they rode on to Edinburgh,

To Edinburgh’s own cross.

And when she in that city was,

She lookd like ony queen:

‘’Tis a pity such a lovely lass

Shoud love young Hazelgreen.’

11‘Young Hazelgreen, he is my love,And ever mair shall be;I’ll nae forsake young HazelgreenFor a’ the gowd ye’ll gie.’And aye she sighd, and said, Alas!And made a piteous meen,And aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.

‘Young Hazelgreen, he is my love,

And ever mair shall be;

I’ll nae forsake young Hazelgreen

For a’ the gowd ye’ll gie.’

And aye she sighd, and said, Alas!

And made a piteous meen,

And aye she loot the tears down fa

For John o Hazelgreen.

12‘Now hold your tongue, my well-fard maid,Lat a’ your mourning be,And a’ endeavours I shall tryTo bring that youth to thee,If ye’ll tell me where your love stays,His stile and proper name.’‘He’s laird o Taperbank,’ she says,‘His stile, Young Hazelgreen.’

‘Now hold your tongue, my well-fard maid,

Lat a’ your mourning be,

And a’ endeavours I shall try

To bring that youth to thee,

If ye’ll tell me where your love stays,

His stile and proper name.’

‘He’s laird o Taperbank,’ she says,

‘His stile, Young Hazelgreen.’

13Then he has coft for that ladyA fine silk riding-gown,Likewise he coft for that ladyA steed, and set her on;Wi menji feathers in her hat,Silk stockings and siller sheen,And they are on to Taperbank,Seeking young Hazelgreen.

Then he has coft for that lady

A fine silk riding-gown,

Likewise he coft for that lady

A steed, and set her on;

Wi menji feathers in her hat,

Silk stockings and siller sheen,

And they are on to Taperbank,

Seeking young Hazelgreen.

14They nimbly rode along the way,And gently spurrd their horse,Till they rode on to Hazelgreen,To Hazelgreen’s own close.Then forth he came, young Hazelgreen,To welcome his father free:‘You’re welcome here, my father dear,And a’ your companie.’

They nimbly rode along the way,

And gently spurrd their horse,

Till they rode on to Hazelgreen,

To Hazelgreen’s own close.

Then forth he came, young Hazelgreen,

To welcome his father free:

‘You’re welcome here, my father dear,

And a’ your companie.’

15But when he lookd oer his shoulder,A light laugh then gae he;Says, If I getna this lady,It’s for her I must die.I must confess this is the maidI ance saw in a dream,A walking thro a pleasant shade,As fair’s a cypress queen.

But when he lookd oer his shoulder,

A light laugh then gae he;

Says, If I getna this lady,

It’s for her I must die.

I must confess this is the maid

I ance saw in a dream,

A walking thro a pleasant shade,

As fair’s a cypress queen.

16‘Now hold your tongue, young Hazelgreen,Lat a’ your folly be;If ye be wae for that lady,She’s thrice as wae for thee.She’s thrice as wae for thee, my son,As bitter doth complain;Well is she worthy o the rigsThat lie on Hazelgreen.’

‘Now hold your tongue, young Hazelgreen,

Lat a’ your folly be;

If ye be wae for that lady,

She’s thrice as wae for thee.

She’s thrice as wae for thee, my son,

As bitter doth complain;

Well is she worthy o the rigs

That lie on Hazelgreen.’

17He’s taen her in his arms twa,Led her thro bower and ha:‘Cheer up your heart, my dearest dear,Ye’re flower out-oer them a’.This night shall be our wedding-een,The morn we’ll say, Amen;Ye’se never mair hae cause to mourn,Ye’re lady o Hazelgreen.’

He’s taen her in his arms twa,

Led her thro bower and ha:

‘Cheer up your heart, my dearest dear,

Ye’re flower out-oer them a’.

This night shall be our wedding-een,

The morn we’ll say, Amen;

Ye’se never mair hae cause to mourn,

Ye’re lady o Hazelgreen.’

a.“Got in the South County by Mr Pringle:” Kinloch’s MSS, I, 321.b.Kinloch’s MSS, VII, 2.

1‘Why weep ye by the tide, ladye?Why weep ye by the tide?I’ll wed ye to my youngest son,And ye sall be his bride.And ye sall be his bride, ladye,Sae comely to be seen;’But aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.2‘O whaten a man is Hazelgreen?I pray thee tell to me.’‘O there’s not a handsomer gentlemanIn a’ the South Countrie.His arms are long, his shoulders broad,Sae comely to be seen!’And aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.

‘Why weep ye by the tide, ladye?

Why weep ye by the tide?

I’ll wed ye to my youngest son,

And ye sall be his bride.

And ye sall be his bride, ladye,

Sae comely to be seen;’

But aye she loot the tears down fa

For John o Hazelgreen.

2‘O whaten a man is Hazelgreen?I pray thee tell to me.’‘O there’s not a handsomer gentlemanIn a’ the South Countrie.His arms are long, his shoulders broad,Sae comely to be seen!’And aye she loot the tears down faFor John o Hazelgreen.

‘O whaten a man is Hazelgreen?

I pray thee tell to me.’

‘O there’s not a handsomer gentleman

In a’ the South Countrie.

His arms are long, his shoulders broad,

Sae comely to be seen!’

And aye she loot the tears down fa

For John o Hazelgreen.

15. she meant.Sharpe’s transcript reads:11. InforInto.52. comeforgo.86. MostforRight.

15. she meant.

Sharpe’s transcript reads:

11. InforInto.

52. comeforgo.

86. MostforRight.

52. thereat;changed tothereinin printing.The line is run through in pencil.64. raving.Cf.A96.Kinloch made some changes in printing.

52. thereat;changed tothereinin printing.The line is run through in pencil.

64. raving.Cf.A96.

Kinloch made some changes in printing.

Written throughout in stanzas of four verses.

D. b.

Since Chambers in some measure adjusted phraseology with a view to “literary” effect, it is impossible to make out which of the variations in his ballad came from the copy which he took down from recitation. Upon extracting all his variations, they have not turned out to be important. A few, which seem the most likely to have belonged to his recited copy, are subjoined.13. I spied a lady in a wood.24. An auld knicht.73,5. youngestforsecond.105-8.And he has coft her silken claesGarred her look like a queen:‘Ye surely now will sick nae mairFor Jock o Hazelgreen.’137. And they have ridden far athort.After 15.For her sake I did vow a vowI neer should wed but she;Should this fair lady cruel prove,I’ll lay me doun and dee.163,4,5. sickforwae.167,8.And a’ she wants to heal her woeIs Jock o Hazelgreen.174. Ye’re lady ower.

13. I spied a lady in a wood.

24. An auld knicht.

73,5. youngestforsecond.

105-8.And he has coft her silken claesGarred her look like a queen:‘Ye surely now will sick nae mairFor Jock o Hazelgreen.’

105-8.

And he has coft her silken claes

Garred her look like a queen:

‘Ye surely now will sick nae mair

For Jock o Hazelgreen.’

137. And they have ridden far athort.

After 15.For her sake I did vow a vowI neer should wed but she;Should this fair lady cruel prove,I’ll lay me doun and dee.

After 15.

For her sake I did vow a vow

I neer should wed but she;

Should this fair lady cruel prove,

I’ll lay me doun and dee.

163,4,5. sickforwae.

167,8.And a’ she wants to heal her woeIs Jock o Hazelgreen.

167,8.

And a’ she wants to heal her woe

Is Jock o Hazelgreen.

174. Ye’re lady ower.

E. b.

2.‘What like a man is Haselgreen?Lady, tell to me.’‘He’s a handsome, proper youthAs ever my eyes did see.With shoulders broad and arms long,Most comely to be seen;’And still she lout the tears doun faFor Jock of Haselgreen.

‘What like a man is Haselgreen?

Lady, tell to me.’

‘He’s a handsome, proper youth

As ever my eyes did see.

With shoulders broad and arms long,

Most comely to be seen;’

And still she lout the tears doun fa

For Jock of Haselgreen.

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