Chapter 61

92, 102. ome.93. laddys.

92, 102. ome.

93. laddys.

In Findlay’s MSS,I, 84 is this stanza,==B5,C12,D4:

‘When ye come to Aboyne’s yetts,Aboyne’s yetts they shine clearly,Ye’ll tak aff your hat, gie a bow wi your knee,Gie the letter to my rantin laddie.’

‘When ye come to Aboyne’s yetts,Aboyne’s yetts they shine clearly,Ye’ll tak aff your hat, gie a bow wi your knee,Gie the letter to my rantin laddie.’

‘When ye come to Aboyne’s yetts,Aboyne’s yetts they shine clearly,Ye’ll tak aff your hat, gie a bow wi your knee,Gie the letter to my rantin laddie.’

‘When ye come to Aboyne’s yetts,

Aboyne’s yetts they shine clearly,

Ye’ll tak aff your hat, gie a bow wi your knee,

Gie the letter to my rantin laddie.’

P. 355. Findlay’s MSS, I, 85, gives the first stanza thus (from Mrs Main, Inchmarlo, Kincardineshire).

The baron o Leys is to London gane,All in a mornin early;He’s shod his horse wi siller sheen,An shown them a’ his folly.

The baron o Leys is to London gane,All in a mornin early;He’s shod his horse wi siller sheen,An shown them a’ his folly.

The baron o Leys is to London gane,All in a mornin early;He’s shod his horse wi siller sheen,An shown them a’ his folly.

The baron o Leys is to London gane,

All in a mornin early;

He’s shod his horse wi siller sheen,

An shown them a’ his folly.

376b, last paragraph. Talking Ships. See Liebrecht, Zur Volkskunde, p. 365 f., apropos of Árnason’s Skipamál, Þþjoðsögur, II, 8. Árnason notes two talking ships in Flóamanna Saga, c. 36, and Liebrecht the Argo.

377.A.The original, altered in places by Skeat, stands as follows in “The Old Lady’s Collection,” where it is No 4.

1Aa the skippers of merry Lothen,As they sat att the wine,Ther fell a rosin them among,An it was in an unhappy time.2Some of them roused ther haks,An some of them ther hounds,An some of them ther gay ladys,Trood neat on the plain:Young Allan he roused his comely coug,That lay upon the strand.3‘I haa as good a ship this dayAs ever sailled our seas,Except it be the Burges Black,Bat an the Small Cordvine,The comly coug of Dornisdall;We sall lay that three bay in time.’4Out spak a littel boy,Just att Young Allan’s knee,‘Ye lie, ye lie, ye Young Allan,Sae loud as I hear ye lie.5‘For my master has a littel boatWill sail thris as well as thin;For she’ll come in att your formastAn gee out att yer forlee,An nine times in a winter nightShe’ll take the wine fra the.6‘O fatt will ye wade, ye Young Allan,Or fatt will ye wad we me?’‘I ill wad my head agenst yer land,Till I gett more monie.’7They hed na sailed a legg, [a legg,]A legg bat bairly three,Till throug an throu ther bonny shipThey saa the green wall sea.8They had na sailled a leag, [a leag,]A leag bat barly fave,Till through en throu ther bonny shipThey saa the green wall wave.9He gied up to the tapmast,To see fat he coud see,An ther he saa the Burges Black,Bat an the Small Cordvine,The comly coug of Dornasdell;The three was rent in nine.10Young Allan he grat, an he wrang his hans,An he kent na fat till dee:‘The win is loud, an the waves is prood,An we will a’ sink in the sea.11‘Bat gin I cod gett a bonny boyTo tak my healm in han,.   .   .   . that wad bringMy bonny ship safe to lan,12‘He sud gett the tua part of my goud,An the therd part of my lan,An gin me wine safe to shorHe sud gett my daughter Ann.’13‘Hear am I, a bonny boyThat will take yer helm in han,.   .   .   . an will bringYour bonny ship safe to land.14‘Ye take four-an-twenty fether-beds,An ye lay the bonny ship roun,An as much of the good cannisAs make her hell an soun.’15They took four-an-twenty fether-beds,An laid the bonny ship roun,An as much of the good caniesAs made her hell an soun.16‘Spring up, my bony ship,An goud sall be yer hair!’Fan the bonny ship hard of that,Att goud sud be her hire,She sprang as fast fra the sate waterAs the spark dis frae the fire.17‘Spring up, my bonny ship,An goud sall be yer fee!’An fan the bonny ship hard of that,Goud was to be her fee,She sprang as fast fra the sat waterAs the life dos fra the tree.18The salors stans on the shore-sid,We ther ill-bukled shen:‘Thanks to God an our gued masterThat ever we came to land!’19‘Far is the bonny boyThat took my healm in hand?.   .   .   . that broughtMy bonny ship safe to land?20‘He’s gett the twa part of my goud,The therd part of my lan,An since we ha wone safe to shoreHe’s gett my doughter Ann.’21‘Hear am I, the bonny boyThat took yer healm in han,That brought yer bonny ship,An brought her safe to lan.22‘I winnë ha the tua part of yer goud,Nor the therd part of yer lan,Bat since we ha wine safe to shorI will wed yer daugter Ann.’23Fortey ships went to the sea,Forty ships an five,An ther came never on backBat Young Allan alive.

1Aa the skippers of merry Lothen,As they sat att the wine,Ther fell a rosin them among,An it was in an unhappy time.2Some of them roused ther haks,An some of them ther hounds,An some of them ther gay ladys,Trood neat on the plain:Young Allan he roused his comely coug,That lay upon the strand.3‘I haa as good a ship this dayAs ever sailled our seas,Except it be the Burges Black,Bat an the Small Cordvine,The comly coug of Dornisdall;We sall lay that three bay in time.’4Out spak a littel boy,Just att Young Allan’s knee,‘Ye lie, ye lie, ye Young Allan,Sae loud as I hear ye lie.5‘For my master has a littel boatWill sail thris as well as thin;For she’ll come in att your formastAn gee out att yer forlee,An nine times in a winter nightShe’ll take the wine fra the.6‘O fatt will ye wade, ye Young Allan,Or fatt will ye wad we me?’‘I ill wad my head agenst yer land,Till I gett more monie.’7They hed na sailed a legg, [a legg,]A legg bat bairly three,Till throug an throu ther bonny shipThey saa the green wall sea.8They had na sailled a leag, [a leag,]A leag bat barly fave,Till through en throu ther bonny shipThey saa the green wall wave.9He gied up to the tapmast,To see fat he coud see,An ther he saa the Burges Black,Bat an the Small Cordvine,The comly coug of Dornasdell;The three was rent in nine.10Young Allan he grat, an he wrang his hans,An he kent na fat till dee:‘The win is loud, an the waves is prood,An we will a’ sink in the sea.11‘Bat gin I cod gett a bonny boyTo tak my healm in han,.   .   .   . that wad bringMy bonny ship safe to lan,12‘He sud gett the tua part of my goud,An the therd part of my lan,An gin me wine safe to shorHe sud gett my daughter Ann.’13‘Hear am I, a bonny boyThat will take yer helm in han,.   .   .   . an will bringYour bonny ship safe to land.14‘Ye take four-an-twenty fether-beds,An ye lay the bonny ship roun,An as much of the good cannisAs make her hell an soun.’15They took four-an-twenty fether-beds,An laid the bonny ship roun,An as much of the good caniesAs made her hell an soun.16‘Spring up, my bony ship,An goud sall be yer hair!’Fan the bonny ship hard of that,Att goud sud be her hire,She sprang as fast fra the sate waterAs the spark dis frae the fire.17‘Spring up, my bonny ship,An goud sall be yer fee!’An fan the bonny ship hard of that,Goud was to be her fee,She sprang as fast fra the sat waterAs the life dos fra the tree.18The salors stans on the shore-sid,We ther ill-bukled shen:‘Thanks to God an our gued masterThat ever we came to land!’19‘Far is the bonny boyThat took my healm in hand?.   .   .   . that broughtMy bonny ship safe to land?20‘He’s gett the twa part of my goud,The therd part of my lan,An since we ha wone safe to shoreHe’s gett my doughter Ann.’21‘Hear am I, the bonny boyThat took yer healm in han,That brought yer bonny ship,An brought her safe to lan.22‘I winnë ha the tua part of yer goud,Nor the therd part of yer lan,Bat since we ha wine safe to shorI will wed yer daugter Ann.’23Fortey ships went to the sea,Forty ships an five,An ther came never on backBat Young Allan alive.

1Aa the skippers of merry Lothen,As they sat att the wine,Ther fell a rosin them among,An it was in an unhappy time.

1

Aa the skippers of merry Lothen,

As they sat att the wine,

Ther fell a rosin them among,

An it was in an unhappy time.

2Some of them roused ther haks,An some of them ther hounds,An some of them ther gay ladys,Trood neat on the plain:Young Allan he roused his comely coug,That lay upon the strand.

2

Some of them roused ther haks,

An some of them ther hounds,

An some of them ther gay ladys,

Trood neat on the plain:

Young Allan he roused his comely coug,

That lay upon the strand.

3‘I haa as good a ship this dayAs ever sailled our seas,Except it be the Burges Black,Bat an the Small Cordvine,The comly coug of Dornisdall;We sall lay that three bay in time.’

3

‘I haa as good a ship this day

As ever sailled our seas,

Except it be the Burges Black,

Bat an the Small Cordvine,

The comly coug of Dornisdall;

We sall lay that three bay in time.’

4Out spak a littel boy,Just att Young Allan’s knee,‘Ye lie, ye lie, ye Young Allan,Sae loud as I hear ye lie.

4

Out spak a littel boy,

Just att Young Allan’s knee,

‘Ye lie, ye lie, ye Young Allan,

Sae loud as I hear ye lie.

5‘For my master has a littel boatWill sail thris as well as thin;For she’ll come in att your formastAn gee out att yer forlee,An nine times in a winter nightShe’ll take the wine fra the.

5

‘For my master has a littel boat

Will sail thris as well as thin;

For she’ll come in att your formast

An gee out att yer forlee,

An nine times in a winter night

She’ll take the wine fra the.

6‘O fatt will ye wade, ye Young Allan,Or fatt will ye wad we me?’‘I ill wad my head agenst yer land,Till I gett more monie.’

6

‘O fatt will ye wade, ye Young Allan,

Or fatt will ye wad we me?’

‘I ill wad my head agenst yer land,

Till I gett more monie.’

7They hed na sailed a legg, [a legg,]A legg bat bairly three,Till throug an throu ther bonny shipThey saa the green wall sea.

7

They hed na sailed a legg, [a legg,]

A legg bat bairly three,

Till throug an throu ther bonny ship

They saa the green wall sea.

8They had na sailled a leag, [a leag,]A leag bat barly fave,Till through en throu ther bonny shipThey saa the green wall wave.

8

They had na sailled a leag, [a leag,]

A leag bat barly fave,

Till through en throu ther bonny ship

They saa the green wall wave.

9He gied up to the tapmast,To see fat he coud see,An ther he saa the Burges Black,Bat an the Small Cordvine,The comly coug of Dornasdell;The three was rent in nine.

9

He gied up to the tapmast,

To see fat he coud see,

An ther he saa the Burges Black,

Bat an the Small Cordvine,

The comly coug of Dornasdell;

The three was rent in nine.

10Young Allan he grat, an he wrang his hans,An he kent na fat till dee:‘The win is loud, an the waves is prood,An we will a’ sink in the sea.

10

Young Allan he grat, an he wrang his hans,

An he kent na fat till dee:

‘The win is loud, an the waves is prood,

An we will a’ sink in the sea.

11‘Bat gin I cod gett a bonny boyTo tak my healm in han,.   .   .   . that wad bringMy bonny ship safe to lan,

11

‘Bat gin I cod gett a bonny boy

To tak my healm in han,

.   .   .   . that wad bring

My bonny ship safe to lan,

12‘He sud gett the tua part of my goud,An the therd part of my lan,An gin me wine safe to shorHe sud gett my daughter Ann.’

12

‘He sud gett the tua part of my goud,

An the therd part of my lan,

An gin me wine safe to shor

He sud gett my daughter Ann.’

13‘Hear am I, a bonny boyThat will take yer helm in han,.   .   .   . an will bringYour bonny ship safe to land.

13

‘Hear am I, a bonny boy

That will take yer helm in han,

.   .   .   . an will bring

Your bonny ship safe to land.

14‘Ye take four-an-twenty fether-beds,An ye lay the bonny ship roun,An as much of the good cannisAs make her hell an soun.’

14

‘Ye take four-an-twenty fether-beds,

An ye lay the bonny ship roun,

An as much of the good cannis

As make her hell an soun.’

15They took four-an-twenty fether-beds,An laid the bonny ship roun,An as much of the good caniesAs made her hell an soun.

15

They took four-an-twenty fether-beds,

An laid the bonny ship roun,

An as much of the good canies

As made her hell an soun.

16‘Spring up, my bony ship,An goud sall be yer hair!’Fan the bonny ship hard of that,Att goud sud be her hire,She sprang as fast fra the sate waterAs the spark dis frae the fire.

16

‘Spring up, my bony ship,

An goud sall be yer hair!’

Fan the bonny ship hard of that,

Att goud sud be her hire,

She sprang as fast fra the sate water

As the spark dis frae the fire.

17‘Spring up, my bonny ship,An goud sall be yer fee!’An fan the bonny ship hard of that,Goud was to be her fee,She sprang as fast fra the sat waterAs the life dos fra the tree.

17

‘Spring up, my bonny ship,

An goud sall be yer fee!’

An fan the bonny ship hard of that,

Goud was to be her fee,

She sprang as fast fra the sat water

As the life dos fra the tree.

18The salors stans on the shore-sid,We ther ill-bukled shen:‘Thanks to God an our gued masterThat ever we came to land!’

18

The salors stans on the shore-sid,

We ther ill-bukled shen:

‘Thanks to God an our gued master

That ever we came to land!’

19‘Far is the bonny boyThat took my healm in hand?.   .   .   . that broughtMy bonny ship safe to land?

19

‘Far is the bonny boy

That took my healm in hand?

.   .   .   . that brought

My bonny ship safe to land?

20‘He’s gett the twa part of my goud,The therd part of my lan,An since we ha wone safe to shoreHe’s gett my doughter Ann.’

20

‘He’s gett the twa part of my goud,

The therd part of my lan,

An since we ha wone safe to shore

He’s gett my doughter Ann.’

21‘Hear am I, the bonny boyThat took yer healm in han,That brought yer bonny ship,An brought her safe to lan.

21

‘Hear am I, the bonny boy

That took yer healm in han,

That brought yer bonny ship,

An brought her safe to lan.

22‘I winnë ha the tua part of yer goud,Nor the therd part of yer lan,Bat since we ha wine safe to shorI will wed yer daugter Ann.’

22

‘I winnë ha the tua part of yer goud,

Nor the therd part of yer lan,

Bat since we ha wine safe to shor

I will wed yer daugter Ann.’

23Fortey ships went to the sea,Forty ships an five,An ther came never on backBat Young Allan alive.

23

Fortey ships went to the sea,

Forty ships an five,

An ther came never on back

Bat Young Allan alive.

95. comly cord.124, 204, 224. Anna.172,4. hireforfee (caught from16).232. anechanged toFive.Written without division into stanzas or verses.

95. comly cord.

124, 204, 224. Anna.

172,4. hireforfee (caught from16).

232. anechanged toFive.

Written without division into stanzas or verses.

P. 383. There is a copy in C. K. Sharpe’s “second collection” which is substantially the same asA. The variations here follow:

A b.

12. Was.13. There was a praising.14. In an unhappy.21. For some ones they did praise.24. Andwanting.31. That out did speak.33. Says, I saw never a.35. But what I would her favour gain.36. With one blink of.36, 46. eye.41. out did speak.42. spoke.45. Whose favour you would never gain.51. you.

12. Was.

13. There was a praising.

14. In an unhappy.

21. For some ones they did praise.

24. Andwanting.

31. That out did speak.

33. Says, I saw never a.

35. But what I would her favour gain.

36. With one blink of.

36, 46. eye.

41. out did speak.

42. spoke.

45. Whose favour you would never gain.

51. you.

After5:‘That is too good a wager, William,Upon a woman’s mind,It is to[o] good a wager Wil[lia]m,I’m very sure you’l tyne.’

After5:‘That is too good a wager, William,Upon a woman’s mind,It is to[o] good a wager Wil[lia]m,I’m very sure you’l tyne.’

After5:‘That is too good a wager, William,Upon a woman’s mind,It is to[o] good a wager Wil[lia]m,I’m very sure you’l tyne.’

After5:

‘That is too good a wager, William,

Upon a woman’s mind,

It is to[o] good a wager Wil[lia]m,

I’m very sure you’l tyne.’

61. So.63. he could neither go.64. Nor no.71. has wrote a broad.73. his only.81. read the letter over.82. She lookëd.84. enough.93. she saw.94. riding throw.101. Sayswanting: Come hitherward.103. here does come.104. For injury to me.111. Come down, come down, said Reedesdale.112. One sight of you I’ll see.113. my gate.12, 13,wanting.

61. So.

63. he could neither go.

64. Nor no.

71. has wrote a broad.

73. his only.

81. read the letter over.

82. She lookëd.

84. enough.

93. she saw.

94. riding throw.

101. Sayswanting: Come hitherward.

103. here does come.

104. For injury to me.

111. Come down, come down, said Reedesdale.

112. One sight of you I’ll see.

113. my gate.

12, 13,wanting.

14‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,One sight of you I’ll see,And bony is the rings of goldThat I will give to thee.’15‘If you have boney rings of gold,O mine is bony tee;Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,For me you will not see.’16‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,One sight of you I’ll see,And boney is the bowers and hallsThat I will give to the.’17‘If you have boney bowers and halls,I have bowers and halls the same;Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,For down I will not come.’

14‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,One sight of you I’ll see,And bony is the rings of goldThat I will give to thee.’15‘If you have boney rings of gold,O mine is bony tee;Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,For me you will not see.’16‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,One sight of you I’ll see,And boney is the bowers and hallsThat I will give to the.’17‘If you have boney bowers and halls,I have bowers and halls the same;Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,For down I will not come.’

14‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,One sight of you I’ll see,And bony is the rings of goldThat I will give to thee.’

14

‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,

One sight of you I’ll see,

And bony is the rings of gold

That I will give to thee.’

15‘If you have boney rings of gold,O mine is bony tee;Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,For me you will not see.’

15

‘If you have boney rings of gold,

O mine is bony tee;

Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,

For me you will not see.’

16‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,One sight of you I’ll see,And boney is the bowers and hallsThat I will give to the.’

16

‘Come down, come down, O lady fair,

One sight of you I’ll see,

And boney is the bowers and halls

That I will give to the.’

17‘If you have boney bowers and halls,I have bowers and halls the same;Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,For down I will not come.’

17

‘If you have boney bowers and halls,

I have bowers and halls the same;

Go from my gate now, Reedesdale,

For down I will not come.’

18-21wanting.221. O lady.223. Or then.224. Since.231. So he has set that bower.232. the house it took.24wanting.25‘Come hitherward,’ the lady cried,‘My maidens all, to me;For throw the smoak and throw the heat,All throw it we must be.’261. their mantles.263. And throw the smoak and throw the heat.264. They throw it all did win.271. had all got safely out.272. able for.273. Sent some of them to.282. Have not I gaind.

18-21wanting.

221. O lady.

223. Or then.

224. Since.

231. So he has set that bower.

232. the house it took.

24wanting.

25

‘Come hitherward,’ the lady cried,‘My maidens all, to me;For throw the smoak and throw the heat,All throw it we must be.’

‘Come hitherward,’ the lady cried,‘My maidens all, to me;For throw the smoak and throw the heat,All throw it we must be.’

‘Come hitherward,’ the lady cried,‘My maidens all, to me;For throw the smoak and throw the heat,All throw it we must be.’

‘Come hitherward,’ the lady cried,

‘My maidens all, to me;

For throw the smoak and throw the heat,

All throw it we must be.’

261. their mantles.

263. And throw the smoak and throw the heat.

264. They throw it all did win.

271. had all got safely out.

272. able for.

273. Sent some of them to.

282. Have not I gaind.

The Danish ballad ‘Væddemaalet,’ Grundtvig, No 224, spoken of under ‘The Twa Knights,’ ought to have been noticed here also.

P. 401.Aas it stands in “The Old Lady’s Collection,” No 20.

1Ther was a lady fair an rear,A lady of birth an fame,She loyed her father’s kittchen-boy,The greater was her shame.2She coud never her love revell,Nor to him take,Bat in the forests weed an brade,Far they wer wont to wake.3It fell ance apon a dayHer father went fra home,An she sent for the kitchë-boyInto her room.4‘Canna ye fancë me, Willie?Cannie ye fancë me?By a’ the lords I ever seed,Ther is nane I cane loie bat ye.’5‘O latt ne this be kent, lady,O lat ne this be knouen,For in yer father got word of this,I vou he wad gare me die.’6‘Yer life sall na be tane, Willie,Yer life sall na be tean;I rader loss my ain heart-bleadOr thy body gat wrang.’7We her mery fair spichesShe made the boy bold,Till he began to kiss an clap,An on his love lay hold.8They hadne kissed an love-claped,As lovers fan they meatt,.   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .9‘The master-cook he will on me call,An ansured he man be;In it war kent I war in bour we the,I fear they woud gar me diei.’10‘The master-cook may on ye call,But ansured he will never be,For I haa thrie coffers fue of goud,Yer eyen did never see.11‘An I will buld a bony ship for my love,An sett her to the seea,An saill she east, or saill she west,The ship sall be fair to see.’12She has buld a bonny ship,An sett her to the sea;The top-masts was of the read goud,The saill of taffety.13She gaie him a gay gold ring,.   .   .   .   .   .To mind him on a gay ladyThat ance bair love to him.14The day was fair, the ship was rair,Fan that suan sett to sea;Fan that day tuall-month came an gade,Att London landed he.15A lady louked our castell-wa,Beheld the day gaa doun,An she beheld that bonny ship,Came halling to the toun.16‘Come hear, come hear, my mairës a’,Ye see na fat I see;The bonnest ship is coming to landYer eyen did ever see.17‘Ye busk ye, busk ye, my marrës a’,Ye busk ye unco fine,Till I gaa doun to yon shore-sideTo invite yon squar to dine.18‘O ye come up, ye gay young squar,An take we me a dine;Ye sall eatt of the gued white lofe,An drink the claret wine.’19‘I thank ye for yer bread,I thank ye for yer wine,I thank ye for yer courticë,Bat indeed I hanna time.’20‘Canna ye fancë me?’ she says,‘Cannie ye fancë me?Bay a’ the lords an lairds I see,Ther is nane I fancë bat ye.’21‘They are farr awa fra me,’ he says,‘The’r farr ayont the sea,That has my heart an hand,An my love ay sall be.’22‘Hear is a gued gould ring,.   .   .   .   .   .It will mind ye on a gay ladyThat ance bare love to ye.’23‘I haa a ring on my fingerI lee thrice as well as thine,Tho yours war of the gued read goud,An mine bat simpell tin.’24The day was fair, the ship was rair,Fan that squar sett to sea;Fan that day tuall-month came an gaid,Att hame again landed he.25The lady’s father louked over castell-wa,Beheld the day gaa doun,An he beheld that bonny shipCome halling to the toun.26‘Come hear, my a dother,Ye see na fat I see;The bonnest ship is coming to landMy eyen did ever see.27‘Ye busk ye, my dother,Ye busk ye unco fine,An I ill gai doun to yon shore-sideAn invite yon squer to dine:I wad gie a’ my reantsTo haa ye marrëd to him.’28‘They ar farr awa fra me,’ she says,‘The’r far ayont the sea,That has my heart an hand,An my love ay sall be.’29‘O will ye come, ye gay hine squar,An take we me a dine?Ye sall eat of the gued fait breadAn drink the claret wine.’30‘I thank ye for yer bread,I thank ye for your wine,I thank ye for your courtisy,For indeed I haa na grait time.’31‘O cannie ye fancë me?’ [he says,‘Cannie ye fancë me?]By a’ the ladys I ever did see,Ther is nain I lue bat ye.’32‘They are farr awa fra me,’ she says,They are farr ayont the sea,That has my heart an han,An my love ay sall be.’33‘Hear it is, a gay goud ring,.   .   .   .   .   .   .It will mind ye on a gay hin chillThat ance bare love to ye.’34‘O gatt ye that ring on the sea saling?Or gat ye it on the sand?Or gat ye it on the shore laying,On a drouned man’s hand?’35‘I got na it on the sea saling,I got na it on the sand,Bat I gat it on the shore laying,On a drouned man’s hand.36‘O bonny was his chike,And lovely was his face!’‘Alass,’ says she, ‘it is my true-love Willie,.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .’37He turned him rond about,An suitly could he smill;She turned her round, says, My love Willie,Hou could ye me biggeall?38‘A prist, a prist,’ the old man crayed,‘Latt this tua marrëd be:’Bat lettel did the old man keenIt was his ain kittchen-boy.

1Ther was a lady fair an rear,A lady of birth an fame,She loyed her father’s kittchen-boy,The greater was her shame.2She coud never her love revell,Nor to him take,Bat in the forests weed an brade,Far they wer wont to wake.3It fell ance apon a dayHer father went fra home,An she sent for the kitchë-boyInto her room.4‘Canna ye fancë me, Willie?Cannie ye fancë me?By a’ the lords I ever seed,Ther is nane I cane loie bat ye.’5‘O latt ne this be kent, lady,O lat ne this be knouen,For in yer father got word of this,I vou he wad gare me die.’6‘Yer life sall na be tane, Willie,Yer life sall na be tean;I rader loss my ain heart-bleadOr thy body gat wrang.’7We her mery fair spichesShe made the boy bold,Till he began to kiss an clap,An on his love lay hold.8They hadne kissed an love-claped,As lovers fan they meatt,.   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .9‘The master-cook he will on me call,An ansured he man be;In it war kent I war in bour we the,I fear they woud gar me diei.’10‘The master-cook may on ye call,But ansured he will never be,For I haa thrie coffers fue of goud,Yer eyen did never see.11‘An I will buld a bony ship for my love,An sett her to the seea,An saill she east, or saill she west,The ship sall be fair to see.’12She has buld a bonny ship,An sett her to the sea;The top-masts was of the read goud,The saill of taffety.13She gaie him a gay gold ring,.   .   .   .   .   .To mind him on a gay ladyThat ance bair love to him.14The day was fair, the ship was rair,Fan that suan sett to sea;Fan that day tuall-month came an gade,Att London landed he.15A lady louked our castell-wa,Beheld the day gaa doun,An she beheld that bonny ship,Came halling to the toun.16‘Come hear, come hear, my mairës a’,Ye see na fat I see;The bonnest ship is coming to landYer eyen did ever see.17‘Ye busk ye, busk ye, my marrës a’,Ye busk ye unco fine,Till I gaa doun to yon shore-sideTo invite yon squar to dine.18‘O ye come up, ye gay young squar,An take we me a dine;Ye sall eatt of the gued white lofe,An drink the claret wine.’19‘I thank ye for yer bread,I thank ye for yer wine,I thank ye for yer courticë,Bat indeed I hanna time.’20‘Canna ye fancë me?’ she says,‘Cannie ye fancë me?Bay a’ the lords an lairds I see,Ther is nane I fancë bat ye.’21‘They are farr awa fra me,’ he says,‘The’r farr ayont the sea,That has my heart an hand,An my love ay sall be.’22‘Hear is a gued gould ring,.   .   .   .   .   .It will mind ye on a gay ladyThat ance bare love to ye.’23‘I haa a ring on my fingerI lee thrice as well as thine,Tho yours war of the gued read goud,An mine bat simpell tin.’24The day was fair, the ship was rair,Fan that squar sett to sea;Fan that day tuall-month came an gaid,Att hame again landed he.25The lady’s father louked over castell-wa,Beheld the day gaa doun,An he beheld that bonny shipCome halling to the toun.26‘Come hear, my a dother,Ye see na fat I see;The bonnest ship is coming to landMy eyen did ever see.27‘Ye busk ye, my dother,Ye busk ye unco fine,An I ill gai doun to yon shore-sideAn invite yon squer to dine:I wad gie a’ my reantsTo haa ye marrëd to him.’28‘They ar farr awa fra me,’ she says,‘The’r far ayont the sea,That has my heart an hand,An my love ay sall be.’29‘O will ye come, ye gay hine squar,An take we me a dine?Ye sall eat of the gued fait breadAn drink the claret wine.’30‘I thank ye for yer bread,I thank ye for your wine,I thank ye for your courtisy,For indeed I haa na grait time.’31‘O cannie ye fancë me?’ [he says,‘Cannie ye fancë me?]By a’ the ladys I ever did see,Ther is nain I lue bat ye.’32‘They are farr awa fra me,’ she says,They are farr ayont the sea,That has my heart an han,An my love ay sall be.’33‘Hear it is, a gay goud ring,.   .   .   .   .   .   .It will mind ye on a gay hin chillThat ance bare love to ye.’34‘O gatt ye that ring on the sea saling?Or gat ye it on the sand?Or gat ye it on the shore laying,On a drouned man’s hand?’35‘I got na it on the sea saling,I got na it on the sand,Bat I gat it on the shore laying,On a drouned man’s hand.36‘O bonny was his chike,And lovely was his face!’‘Alass,’ says she, ‘it is my true-love Willie,.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .’37He turned him rond about,An suitly could he smill;She turned her round, says, My love Willie,Hou could ye me biggeall?38‘A prist, a prist,’ the old man crayed,‘Latt this tua marrëd be:’Bat lettel did the old man keenIt was his ain kittchen-boy.

1Ther was a lady fair an rear,A lady of birth an fame,She loyed her father’s kittchen-boy,The greater was her shame.

1

Ther was a lady fair an rear,

A lady of birth an fame,

She loyed her father’s kittchen-boy,

The greater was her shame.

2She coud never her love revell,Nor to him take,Bat in the forests weed an brade,Far they wer wont to wake.

2

She coud never her love revell,

Nor to him take,

Bat in the forests weed an brade,

Far they wer wont to wake.

3It fell ance apon a dayHer father went fra home,An she sent for the kitchë-boyInto her room.

3

It fell ance apon a day

Her father went fra home,

An she sent for the kitchë-boy

Into her room.

4‘Canna ye fancë me, Willie?Cannie ye fancë me?By a’ the lords I ever seed,Ther is nane I cane loie bat ye.’

4

‘Canna ye fancë me, Willie?

Cannie ye fancë me?

By a’ the lords I ever seed,

Ther is nane I cane loie bat ye.’

5‘O latt ne this be kent, lady,O lat ne this be knouen,For in yer father got word of this,I vou he wad gare me die.’

5

‘O latt ne this be kent, lady,

O lat ne this be knouen,

For in yer father got word of this,

I vou he wad gare me die.’

6‘Yer life sall na be tane, Willie,Yer life sall na be tean;I rader loss my ain heart-bleadOr thy body gat wrang.’

6

‘Yer life sall na be tane, Willie,

Yer life sall na be tean;

I rader loss my ain heart-blead

Or thy body gat wrang.’

7We her mery fair spichesShe made the boy bold,Till he began to kiss an clap,An on his love lay hold.

7

We her mery fair spiches

She made the boy bold,

Till he began to kiss an clap,

An on his love lay hold.

8They hadne kissed an love-claped,As lovers fan they meatt,.   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .

8

They hadne kissed an love-claped,

As lovers fan they meatt,

.   .   .   .   .   .   .

.   .   .   .   .   .   .

9‘The master-cook he will on me call,An ansured he man be;In it war kent I war in bour we the,I fear they woud gar me diei.’

9

‘The master-cook he will on me call,

An ansured he man be;

In it war kent I war in bour we the,

I fear they woud gar me diei.’

10‘The master-cook may on ye call,But ansured he will never be,For I haa thrie coffers fue of goud,Yer eyen did never see.

10

‘The master-cook may on ye call,

But ansured he will never be,

For I haa thrie coffers fue of goud,

Yer eyen did never see.

11‘An I will buld a bony ship for my love,An sett her to the seea,An saill she east, or saill she west,The ship sall be fair to see.’

11

‘An I will buld a bony ship for my love,

An sett her to the seea,

An saill she east, or saill she west,

The ship sall be fair to see.’

12She has buld a bonny ship,An sett her to the sea;The top-masts was of the read goud,The saill of taffety.

12

She has buld a bonny ship,

An sett her to the sea;

The top-masts was of the read goud,

The saill of taffety.

13She gaie him a gay gold ring,.   .   .   .   .   .To mind him on a gay ladyThat ance bair love to him.

13

She gaie him a gay gold ring,

.   .   .   .   .   .

To mind him on a gay lady

That ance bair love to him.

14The day was fair, the ship was rair,Fan that suan sett to sea;Fan that day tuall-month came an gade,Att London landed he.

14

The day was fair, the ship was rair,

Fan that suan sett to sea;

Fan that day tuall-month came an gade,

Att London landed he.

15A lady louked our castell-wa,Beheld the day gaa doun,An she beheld that bonny ship,Came halling to the toun.

15

A lady louked our castell-wa,

Beheld the day gaa doun,

An she beheld that bonny ship,

Came halling to the toun.

16‘Come hear, come hear, my mairës a’,Ye see na fat I see;The bonnest ship is coming to landYer eyen did ever see.

16

‘Come hear, come hear, my mairës a’,

Ye see na fat I see;

The bonnest ship is coming to land

Yer eyen did ever see.

17‘Ye busk ye, busk ye, my marrës a’,Ye busk ye unco fine,Till I gaa doun to yon shore-sideTo invite yon squar to dine.

17

‘Ye busk ye, busk ye, my marrës a’,

Ye busk ye unco fine,

Till I gaa doun to yon shore-side

To invite yon squar to dine.

18‘O ye come up, ye gay young squar,An take we me a dine;Ye sall eatt of the gued white lofe,An drink the claret wine.’

18

‘O ye come up, ye gay young squar,

An take we me a dine;

Ye sall eatt of the gued white lofe,

An drink the claret wine.’

19‘I thank ye for yer bread,I thank ye for yer wine,I thank ye for yer courticë,Bat indeed I hanna time.’

19

‘I thank ye for yer bread,

I thank ye for yer wine,

I thank ye for yer courticë,

Bat indeed I hanna time.’

20‘Canna ye fancë me?’ she says,‘Cannie ye fancë me?Bay a’ the lords an lairds I see,Ther is nane I fancë bat ye.’

20

‘Canna ye fancë me?’ she says,

‘Cannie ye fancë me?

Bay a’ the lords an lairds I see,

Ther is nane I fancë bat ye.’

21‘They are farr awa fra me,’ he says,‘The’r farr ayont the sea,That has my heart an hand,An my love ay sall be.’

21

‘They are farr awa fra me,’ he says,

‘The’r farr ayont the sea,

That has my heart an hand,

An my love ay sall be.’

22‘Hear is a gued gould ring,.   .   .   .   .   .It will mind ye on a gay ladyThat ance bare love to ye.’

22

‘Hear is a gued gould ring,

.   .   .   .   .   .

It will mind ye on a gay lady

That ance bare love to ye.’

23‘I haa a ring on my fingerI lee thrice as well as thine,Tho yours war of the gued read goud,An mine bat simpell tin.’

23

‘I haa a ring on my finger

I lee thrice as well as thine,

Tho yours war of the gued read goud,

An mine bat simpell tin.’

24The day was fair, the ship was rair,Fan that squar sett to sea;Fan that day tuall-month came an gaid,Att hame again landed he.

24

The day was fair, the ship was rair,

Fan that squar sett to sea;

Fan that day tuall-month came an gaid,

Att hame again landed he.

25The lady’s father louked over castell-wa,Beheld the day gaa doun,An he beheld that bonny shipCome halling to the toun.

25

The lady’s father louked over castell-wa,

Beheld the day gaa doun,

An he beheld that bonny ship

Come halling to the toun.

26‘Come hear, my a dother,Ye see na fat I see;The bonnest ship is coming to landMy eyen did ever see.

26

‘Come hear, my a dother,

Ye see na fat I see;

The bonnest ship is coming to land

My eyen did ever see.

27‘Ye busk ye, my dother,Ye busk ye unco fine,An I ill gai doun to yon shore-sideAn invite yon squer to dine:I wad gie a’ my reantsTo haa ye marrëd to him.’

27

‘Ye busk ye, my dother,

Ye busk ye unco fine,

An I ill gai doun to yon shore-side

An invite yon squer to dine:

I wad gie a’ my reants

To haa ye marrëd to him.’

28‘They ar farr awa fra me,’ she says,‘The’r far ayont the sea,That has my heart an hand,An my love ay sall be.’

28

‘They ar farr awa fra me,’ she says,

‘The’r far ayont the sea,

That has my heart an hand,

An my love ay sall be.’

29‘O will ye come, ye gay hine squar,An take we me a dine?Ye sall eat of the gued fait breadAn drink the claret wine.’

29

‘O will ye come, ye gay hine squar,

An take we me a dine?

Ye sall eat of the gued fait bread

An drink the claret wine.’

30‘I thank ye for yer bread,I thank ye for your wine,I thank ye for your courtisy,For indeed I haa na grait time.’

30

‘I thank ye for yer bread,

I thank ye for your wine,

I thank ye for your courtisy,

For indeed I haa na grait time.’

31‘O cannie ye fancë me?’ [he says,‘Cannie ye fancë me?]By a’ the ladys I ever did see,Ther is nain I lue bat ye.’

31

‘O cannie ye fancë me?’ [he says,

‘Cannie ye fancë me?]

By a’ the ladys I ever did see,

Ther is nain I lue bat ye.’

32‘They are farr awa fra me,’ she says,They are farr ayont the sea,That has my heart an han,An my love ay sall be.’

32

‘They are farr awa fra me,’ she says,

They are farr ayont the sea,

That has my heart an han,

An my love ay sall be.’

33‘Hear it is, a gay goud ring,.   .   .   .   .   .   .It will mind ye on a gay hin chillThat ance bare love to ye.’

33

‘Hear it is, a gay goud ring,

.   .   .   .   .   .   .

It will mind ye on a gay hin chill

That ance bare love to ye.’

34‘O gatt ye that ring on the sea saling?Or gat ye it on the sand?Or gat ye it on the shore laying,On a drouned man’s hand?’

34

‘O gatt ye that ring on the sea saling?

Or gat ye it on the sand?

Or gat ye it on the shore laying,

On a drouned man’s hand?’

35‘I got na it on the sea saling,I got na it on the sand,Bat I gat it on the shore laying,On a drouned man’s hand.

35

‘I got na it on the sea saling,

I got na it on the sand,

Bat I gat it on the shore laying,

On a drouned man’s hand.

36‘O bonny was his chike,And lovely was his face!’‘Alass,’ says she, ‘it is my true-love Willie,.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .’

36

‘O bonny was his chike,

And lovely was his face!’

‘Alass,’ says she, ‘it is my true-love Willie,

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .’

37He turned him rond about,An suitly could he smill;She turned her round, says, My love Willie,Hou could ye me biggeall?

37

He turned him rond about,

An suitly could he smill;

She turned her round, says, My love Willie,

Hou could ye me biggeall?

38‘A prist, a prist,’ the old man crayed,‘Latt this tua marrëd be:’Bat lettel did the old man keenIt was his ain kittchen-boy.

38

‘A prist, a prist,’ the old man crayed,

‘Latt this tua marrëd be:’

Bat lettel did the old man keen

It was his ain kittchen-boy.

44. I came.74. her love.282. seas.353. laiying.

44. I came.

74. her love.

282. seas.

353. laiying.

P. 418 b, 3d paragraph. Say:A7 (nearly) occurs in No 91,B7, II, 313, and something similar in other places (as No 91,A5, 6,D7, No 92,B17).

422.C.There is another copy of this version in C. K. Sharpe’s “second collection,” with the following variations.

b.

11. Take warning, all ye maidens fair.22. father’s heir.24. she did rue full sair.31. Says, We.32. Which.33. Go ye.41. He hied him to the.42. As fast as he could gang.43. And he brought.44. sign with.5.And long before the sun went downBird Isabeal bore his son,And she has called him Patrick,As it was his father’s name.62, 72. Right far.63. parents was.64. Had little gear.74. And dowrey.8.Now it fell out up on a timeHis wedding day was come,And all his friends invited were,His bride to welcome home.While every one engaged wasThat all should ready be,He hied him to his great-grand aunt,She was a lady free.91. Says, Go for me this.92. O do go it for me.94. I’ll do as much.101. Go bring to.102. Dress him in silk.103. For if he lives and bruiks his life.104. He is to heir my.111. hailing through the closs.121. I am come.122. Dress him in silk.123. lives.131, 141. O was.133. that bairn from my foot.142. Altho in station high.143. Durst take that bairn from.151,2.Now she got frowning throw the closs,And frowning on the floor.154. And he.161,2.O this was the worst errand, Patrick,That ever I went for the.163. Bird Isabeal.171,2.He looked right surprised like,Amazed like looked he.174. She was never.181. And he went hailing throw the closs.201, 211. I say.203. Dare take that bairn from my foot.212. Altho in station high.213. Dare take that.224. You wont get.

11. Take warning, all ye maidens fair.

22. father’s heir.

24. she did rue full sair.

31. Says, We.

32. Which.

33. Go ye.

41. He hied him to the.

42. As fast as he could gang.

43. And he brought.

44. sign with.

5.

And long before the sun went downBird Isabeal bore his son,And she has called him Patrick,As it was his father’s name.

And long before the sun went downBird Isabeal bore his son,And she has called him Patrick,As it was his father’s name.

And long before the sun went downBird Isabeal bore his son,And she has called him Patrick,As it was his father’s name.

And long before the sun went down

Bird Isabeal bore his son,

And she has called him Patrick,

As it was his father’s name.

62, 72. Right far.

63. parents was.

64. Had little gear.

74. And dowrey.

8.

Now it fell out up on a timeHis wedding day was come,And all his friends invited were,His bride to welcome home.While every one engaged wasThat all should ready be,He hied him to his great-grand aunt,She was a lady free.

Now it fell out up on a timeHis wedding day was come,And all his friends invited were,His bride to welcome home.While every one engaged wasThat all should ready be,He hied him to his great-grand aunt,She was a lady free.

Now it fell out up on a timeHis wedding day was come,And all his friends invited were,His bride to welcome home.

Now it fell out up on a time

His wedding day was come,

And all his friends invited were,

His bride to welcome home.

While every one engaged wasThat all should ready be,He hied him to his great-grand aunt,She was a lady free.

While every one engaged was

That all should ready be,

He hied him to his great-grand aunt,

She was a lady free.

91. Says, Go for me this.

92. O do go it for me.

94. I’ll do as much.

101. Go bring to.

102. Dress him in silk.

103. For if he lives and bruiks his life.

104. He is to heir my.

111. hailing through the closs.

121. I am come.

122. Dress him in silk.

123. lives.

131, 141. O was.

133. that bairn from my foot.

142. Altho in station high.

143. Durst take that bairn from.

151,2.

Now she got frowning throw the closs,And frowning on the floor.

Now she got frowning throw the closs,And frowning on the floor.

Now she got frowning throw the closs,And frowning on the floor.

Now she got frowning throw the closs,

And frowning on the floor.

154. And he.

161,2.

O this was the worst errand, Patrick,That ever I went for the.

O this was the worst errand, Patrick,That ever I went for the.

O this was the worst errand, Patrick,That ever I went for the.

O this was the worst errand, Patrick,

That ever I went for the.

163. Bird Isabeal.

171,2.

He looked right surprised like,Amazed like looked he.

He looked right surprised like,Amazed like looked he.

He looked right surprised like,Amazed like looked he.

He looked right surprised like,

Amazed like looked he.

174. She was never.

181. And he went hailing throw the closs.

201, 211. I say.

203. Dare take that bairn from my foot.

212. Altho in station high.

213. Dare take that.

224. You wont get.

P. 425. Found in a MS. of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, and in “North Country Ballads,” Miscellanea Curiosa, Abbotsford Library, which is another copy of the same pieces.

Sharpe, p. 5. 11. Thomas Steuart he.

12, mukle mean (an erasure beforemean).13, the coat.31. wemen’s wits is.41. steeds was.53. so sick.61. no leech.71. leeches is come and leeches is gone.72. I am.93. lands and.108. got all my lands.111. in their.112. could not.113. leesh.133. And as.143. I fear it may be mony unco lord.144. from the.153. I fear it is mony unco lord.With variations of spelling not noted.Scott (as above, except) 12, mickle land: landwas perhaps the word which is blotted out in Sharpe.31. women’s.

12, mukle mean (an erasure beforemean).

13, the coat.

31. wemen’s wits is.

41. steeds was.

53. so sick.

61. no leech.

71. leeches is come and leeches is gone.

72. I am.

93. lands and.

108. got all my lands.

111. in their.

112. could not.

113. leesh.

133. And as.

143. I fear it may be mony unco lord.

144. from the.

153. I fear it is mony unco lord.

With variations of spelling not noted.

Scott (as above, except) 12, mickle land: landwas perhaps the word which is blotted out in Sharpe.

31. women’s.

P. 434 b. Translated also by Gerhard, p. 168.


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