Ed de Moel

Child Ballads - Lyrics

Child 232
Richie Story
Version B

Skene Manuscript, p. 96; taken down in the north of Scotland, 1802-3.

Narrative

1   Comarnad is a very bonny place,
And there is ladies three, madam,
But the fairest and rairest o them a'
Has married Richard Storry.
2   'O here is a letter to ye, madam,
Here is a letter to ye, madam;
The Earle of Hume, that gallant knight,
Has fallen in love wi ye, madam.'
3   'There is a letter to ye, madam,
[There is a letter to ye, madam;]
That gallant knight, the Earl of Hume,
Desires to be yer servan true, madam.
4   'I'll hae nane o his letters, Richard,
I'll hae nane o his letters, [Richard;]
I hae voued, and will keep it true,
I'll marry nane but ye, Richie.'
5   'Say ne sae to me, lady,
Say ne sae to me, [lady,]
For I hae neither lands nor rents
To mentain ye, lady.'
6   'Hunten Tour and Tillebarn,
The House o Athol is mine, Richie,
An ye sal hae them a'
Whan ere ye incline, Richie.
7   'For we will gae to sea, Richie,
I'll sit upon the deck, Richie,
And be your servant ere and late,
At any hour ye like, [Richie.']
8   'O manna ye be sad, sister,
An mann ye be sae sorry,
To leave the house o bonny Comarnad,
An follow Richard Storry?'
9   'O what neads I be sad, sister,
An how can I be sorry?
A bonny lad is my delit,
And my lot has been laid afore me.'
10   As she went up the Parliament Close,
Wi her laced shoon so fine,
Many ane bad the lady good day,
But few thought o Richard's lady.
11   As she gaed up the Parliament Close,
Wi her laced shoon so fine,
Mony ane hailed that gay lady,
But few hailed Richard Storry.

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