| Author | Topic: Add: The Little Lowland Maid | |
| dmcg | Posted - 18 Jan 09 - 08:39 am | |
It's of a pretty sailor lad who ploughed the stormy sea, He dressed himself in tarry clothes, like one in poverty; His pockets being well lined, though of the sailor trade, For to try the heart of Mary Ann, the little Lowland Maid. As Mary Ann was standing down by her cottage door She frowned upon her sailor lad, who seemed to be so poor. She looked just like a goddess, in jewels rich arrayed, But the thorn was in the bosom of the little Lowland Maid. "Good morning;" said false Mary Ann, "I'm glad to meet with you; Have you forgot your own true love, or changed your love for new? Or is your inclination all on some other strayed? So begone!" said lovely Mary Ann, the little Lowland Maid. She seemed to be so scornful, so the sailor says "Behold I" A11 from his trousers-pocket he pulls a bag of gold. So then replied false Mary Ann "Excuse me what I said! You're welcome to the cottage and the little Lowland Maid." "Oh no! deceitful damsel, your falseness shall be paid, For I can lie till morning in some distant barn or shed:" It was the hour of twelve o'clock young Mary Ann did stray, And she told some other comrade where the sailor he did lay. They went with their dark lanterns and daggers in their hands, They rode through woods and meadows, and past the muddy lands; "Cheer up your hearts", said Mary Ann, "and do not be betrayed, We will rob and slay the sailor for the little Lowland Maid'.' They both then plunged their daggers into the sailor, deep; They robbed him of his glittering gold, and left him there to weep. A gamekeeper was watching them; all from his wood he strayed, Then he swore against the villain and the little Lowland Maid. They both then stood their trials, and were condemned, and cast; And on the fatal gallows-tree they both were hung at last. There were thousands flocked to see them, and scornfully they said "Begone! you cruel monster, and the little Lowland Maid!" Source: Broadwood, L, 1908, English Traditional Songs and Carols, London, Boosey Notes: Sung by Mr Baker, 1896. Lucy BroadWood wrote: A broadside version, called "The Cruel Lowland Maid" and signed G. Brown, was printed by Ryle, successor to Catnach. The singer's words " courtmaid," " valliant," and " manastree " being obviously " comrade," " villain," and " monster," have been altered in the version here given. | ||
| Malcolm Douglas |
Posted - 18 Jan 09 - 04:12 pm | |
The reference to 'G Brown' is interesting; I'd missed it previously. Although the authors of C19 broadside songs are usually not credited (many were hacks who sold their verses outright for a shilling or two) some names do appear. G[eorge] Brown is one, and among the songs later adopted into oral currency that were attributed to him when first published are 'The Bonny Bunch of Roses' (Roud 664), 'The Grand Conversation on Napoleon' (Roud 1189), 'Flora the Lily of the West' (Roud 957) and 'The Merchant's Daughter and Constant Farmer's Son' (Roud 675). Nothing seems to be known about him as a person; but, writer credits being so rare in the broadside press of the day, there seems no reason to think that the attributions are not accurate. | ||