Ed de Moel

Child Ballads - Lyrics

Child 238
Glenlogie or Jean o Bethalnie
Version A

Skene Manuscript, p. 13; taken down from recitation in the north of Scotland, 1802-3.

Narrative

1   Four and twenty noblemen they rode thro Banchory fair,
But bonnie Glenlogie was flower [of a'] that was there.
2   Four and twenty noblemen rode from Banchory ha,
But bonnie Glenlogie he was flower of them a'.
3   'O bonnie Glenlogie, be constant and kind,
An, bonnie Glenlogie, I'll tell you my mind.
4   . . so frank and so free,
. . and I get na Glenlogie, I'll die.'
5   'O bonnie Jeanie, your portion's but sma
To lay your love on me, that's promist awa.'
6   Her cherry cheeks grew pale an wan; with the tear in her ee,
'Gin I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.'
7   Ben came her father, steps to her bowr:
'Dear Jeanie, you'r acting the part of a [whore].
8   'You're seeking ane that cares na for thee;
Ye's get Lord William, let Glenlogie be.'
9   'O had you still, father, let your folly be;
Gin I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.'
10   Ben came her mother, steps on the floor:
'Dear daughter Jeanie, you're acting the [whore],
11   'Seeking of ane that cares na for thee;
For ye'll get Lord William, let Glenlogie be.'
12   'O had your tongue, mother, and let me be;
An I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.'
13   O ben came her father's chaplain, a man of great skill,
And he has written a broad letter, and he has pennd it well.
14   H'as pennd it well, an sent it awa
To bonnie Glenlogie, the flower of them a'.
15   When he got the letter, his tears did down fa
'She's laid her love on me, that was promist awa.'
16   He calld on his servant wi speed, and bade him saddle his horses, and bridle them a':
'For she has laid her love on me, altho I was promist awa.'
17   The horses were saddled wi speed, but ere they came he was four mile awa,
To Jean of Bethelny, the flowr of them a'.
18   But when he came to her bowr she was pale and wan,
But she grew red and ruddy when Glenlogie came in.
19   'Cheer up, bonnie Jeannie, ye are flowr o them a';
I have laid my love on you, altho I was promist awa.'
20   Her beauty was charming, her tocher down tauld;
Bonnie Jean of Bethelny was scarce fifteen year auld.

This page most recently updated on 23-Apr-2011, 10:39:54.
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