C
a. “Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy,” Abbotsford, No 38, MS. of Thomas Wilkie, 1813–15, p. 16; taken down from the singing of Miss Christy Robertson, Dunse. b. “Scotch Ballads,” etc., No 108, in a lady’s hand, and perhaps obtained directly from Miss Robertson.
1
There was a battle in the north,
Among the nobles many;
The Laird of Geight he’s killd a man,
And there’s nane to die but Geordie.
* * * * * *
2
‘What news? what news, my bonny boy?
What news hae ye frae Geordie?’
‘He bids ye sew his linen shirts,
For he’s sure he’ll no need many.’
3
‘Go saddle the black, go saddle the brown,
Go saddle to me the bonny;
For I will neither eat nor drink
Until I see my Geordie.’
4
They’ve saddled the black, they’ve saddled the brown,
They’ve saddled her the bonny,
And she is away to Edinborough town,
Straight away to see her Geordie.
5
When she came to the sea-side,
The boats they were nae ready;
She turned her horse’s head about,
And swimd at the Queen’s Ferry.
6
And when she came to the prison-door,
There poor folks they stood many;
She dealt the red guineas them among,
And bade them pray weel for Geordie.
7
And when she came into the hall,
Amang the nobles many,
The napkin’s tied on Geordie’s face,
And the head’s to gae frae Geordie.
8
‘I have born ten bonny sons,
And the eleventh neer sa his dadie,
And I will bear them all oer again
For the life o bonny Geordie.
9
‘I have born the Laird of Gight,
And the Laird of bonny Pernonnie;
And I will gie them all to thee
For the life of my bonny Geordie.’
10