Bonnie Jeannie O' Bethelnie

Trad  (Child #238, Roud #101)

 

There were four and twenty nobles sat in the king's hall,

And bonnie Glenlogie was the flow'r o' them a'.

There were nine and nine nobles rode through Banquerie Fair

And bonnie Glenlogie was the flow'r o' them there.

 

There were six and six maidens sat in the King's hall

Bonnie Jeannie o' Bethelnie was the flow'r o' them a'.

Doun come Jeannie Gordon, she come trippin' doun the stair

And she's chosen Glenlogie for a lord that was there.

 

Oh Glenlogie, oh Glenlogie, gin you'll prove kind

My love is laid on you, an' I've telt you my mind.

Well he's turned her doun lightly as the Gordons does a'

sayin' I thank you Jeannie Gordon but I'm promised awa'

 

Aye she's gone tae her maidens for to mak' her a bed

With ribbons and a napkin for to tie up her head

And it's up and spak' her faither, and a wise man was he

Sayin' I'll wed you to Dumfendrum, for he's mair gowd than he

 

Oh haud your tongue faither, for that will'na be

I'll wed me Glenlogie, for him will I dee.

So her faither's ain chaplain, and man o' great skill,

He's wrote a broad letter an indighted it well

 

Sayin' a pox on ye, Logie, now since it is so

My lady's love's laid on you, must she die in her woe?

Aye a pox on ye, Logie, now since it is time

My lady's love's laid on you, must she die in her prime?

 

So Logie's got the letter, him being among men

It's out an spak' Glenlogie, what does yon women mean?

When he looked on the letter, a light laugh gied he

But e're he read o'wer it, a tear blint his ee

 

Gae saddle me the black horse, gae saddle me the brown

Bonnie Jeannie o Bethelnie'll be deid ere I win

But the horses werenae saddled, nor lead on the green

Till bonnie Glenlogie was three miles his lane

 

Pale an wan was she when Glenlogie came in

It's red an rosie grew she, when she kent it wis him

Whaur lies yer pain, lady, does it lie in yer side?

Whaur lies yer pain, lady, does it lie in yer heid?

 

Oh no, no, Glenlogie, ye're far frae the pairt

The pain that I lie under, it lies in my heart

Turn round, Jeannie Gordon, turn round on your side

It's I'll be the bridegroom and you'll be the bride

 

Now Jeannie's gotten married and her tocher's doun tauld

Bonnie Jeannie o Bethelnie wis scarce sixteen year auld

Oh Bethelnie, oh Bethelnie, you shine where ye stand

And the heather bells around you shine o'wer Fyvie's land