No. 232: Richie Story
[There are no known US or Canadian traditional versions of this ballad. There are at least four known US/Canadian texts of Child's Appendix, The Duke of Athol/Huntingtower, known in the US/Canada as "Jamie" and also "When Will Ye Gang Awa'?" Bronson includes the Creighton Nova Scotia version of "When Will Ye Gang Awa'?" with the other Richie Story versions.]
CONTENTS:
1. Child's Narrative
2. Footnotes (There are no footnotes for this ballad)
3. Brief (Kittredge)
4. Child's Ballad Texts A-H (Changes for C b and F b, G b-f are given in End-notes. Another version of B, (designated B1) from "The Old Lady's Collection," No. 21. is given in Additions and Corrections)
5. End-notes
6. Appendix ('Huntingtower' and 'The Duke of Athol')
7. Additions and Corrections
ATTACHED PAGES (see left hand column):
1. Recordings & Info: 232. Richie Story
A. Roud No. 97: Richie Story (32 Listings)
2. Sheet Music: 232. Richie Story (Bronson's music groups and texts)
3. English and Other Versions (Including Child versions A-H with additional notes)]
Child's Narrative: 232. Richie Story
A. 'Ritchie Storie,' Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 426.
B. Skene Manuscript, p. 96.
B1 "The Old Lady's Collection," No. 21.
C. a. 'Richie Story,' "Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy," No 65, Manuscript of Thomas Wilkie, 1813-15, p. 53, Abbotsford.
b. 'Ritchie's Tory Laddie,' Campbell Manuscripts, II, 116.
D. 'Richy Story,' the late Mr. Robert White's papers.
E. 'Richard Storie,' "Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy," No 76, Abbotsford.
F. a. 'Richie Storie,' Sharpe's Ballad Book, 1823, p. 95.
b. 'Richie Storrie,' Nimmo, Songs and Ballads of Clydesdale, 1882, p. 211.
G. a. 'Richard Storry,' Kinloch Manuscripts, I, 203.
b. 'Richie Tory,' Gibb Manuscript, p. 77.
c. 'Ritchie's Lady,' Murison Manuscript, p. 82.
d. 'Richie's Lady,' Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, I, 72.
e. Kinloch Manuscripts, VII, 263, a fragment.
f. 'The Earl of Winton's Daughter,' Buchan's Manuscripts, I, 87.
H. The Scots Magazine, 1803, LXV, 253, one stanza.
The youngest (eldest, A) and fairest of the daughters of the Earl of Wigton, A, F (bonniest of his sisters, B), has fallen in love with her footman, Richie Story (Tory). Richie brings her a letter from a nobleman who desires to be her suitor; the Earl of Hume, A, B, F, G a, d, e; the Earl of Hume's son, D; the Earl of Aboyne, B; of Cumbernauld, G b; of Mohun, G c; of Wemyss, G f and a variant of E; the Earls of Hume and Skimmerjim, Skimmerham (Kimmerghame), C. The lady has made a vow, and will keep it, to marry none but Richie. Richie deprecates; he has nothing to maintain her with; she is ready to descend to the lowest fortune. (In several versions she has enough of her own. Hunten Tour and Tillebarn and the House of Athol are hers, B; Musselbtirgh, C; the House of Athol and Taranadie, G d; Blair-in-Athol and Dunkeld, H.) Asked by her sister, by Richie, or by some one else, whether she is not sorry to have left Curabernauld (Castle Norry, G f) to follow a footman, she answers that there is no reason, she has her heart's desire and the lot that was ordained her. As she goes up the Parliament close, rides through Edinburgh town, Glasgow city (London city, C b, absurdly), she is greeted by many a lord, but few or none of them thought she was a footman's lady. Arrived at the domicile of the Storys, her good-mother bids her, gars her, kilt up her coats and muck the byres with Richie.
F, G, are not satisfied with this conclusion. The footman is really a lover in disguise, the Earl of Hume or of Cumbernauld, F, G a b. (G b 2 spoils the plot by making the Earl of Hume write to the lady that he will be her footman-laddie.) Four-and-twenty gentlemen welcome the bride at Ritchie's gates, or elsewhere, and she blesses the day that she was Richie's lady. This is incontestably a later invention.
G f, which is otherwise embellished, goes a good step beyond G a-e. Richie is an Englishman and takes the lady to London. 'Madam' has left her kindred to gang with a servant; he has 'left the sceptre and the crown' her servant for to be; little she knew that her waiting-man was England's royal king.
"Lillias Fleming, second daughter of John, Earl of Wigton by his wife Jane Drummond (a daughter of the Earl of Perth), did elope with and marry one of her father's servants, named Richard Storry. In 1673, she, with consent of her husband, resigned her portion, consisting of the five-merk land of Smythson, etc., in the barony of Lenzie, into the hands of her brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Fleming. The Fleming family afterwards procured for Richie a situation in the Custom-House." So Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p. 555, and, in part, Douglas's Peerage, where, however, Lady Lillias is said to have married Richard Storry, "Esq.:" ed. Wood, II, 616.
Douglas notes that "John, third Earl of Wigton, ... had a charter of the lordship of Cumbernauld, 1st February, 1634." This place (Comarnad, Campernadie, etc., B, D, G a, c, d) is in Dumbartonshire. In F 11 it is attributed to the young Earl of Hume, and the disguised lover is the Earl of Cumbernauld in G b.
The lady, ready for any extremity, says in F 6 that she will lie ayont a dyke (on the other side of a wall), in B 6 sit below the dyke, in D 5 sit aneath the duke, and that she will be at Richie's command at all times. This matter was not understood by the reciter of B, and in B 7 the lady is made to say, We will go to sea, I'll sit upon the deck (and be your servant, as in the other cases). In A the difficulty, such as it is, seems to have been evaded, and we read, 6, I'll live whereer you please (and be ready at your call late or early).
For the relation of this ballad to 'Huntingtower' and 'The Duke of Athol,' see an appendix.
Brief Description by George Lyman Kittredge
"Lillias Fleming", a daughter of John, third Earl of Wigton by his wife Jane Drummond, did elope with and marry one of her father's servants, named Richard Storry. In 1673, she, with consent of her husband, resigned her portion, consisting of the five-merk land of Smythson, etc., in the barony of Lenzie, into the hands of her brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Fleming. The Fleming family afterwards procured for Richie a situation in the Custom-House." Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p. 555.
The well-known song of 'Hunting-tower' ('When ye gang awa, Jamie') is founded on this ballad. It has been often printed; as, for example, in G. F. Graham's Popular Songs of Scotland, revised by J. Muir Wood, Glasgow, 1887, p. 152.
Child's Ballad Texts
'Ritchie Storie'- Version A; Child 232 Richie Story
Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 426; from the recitation of Mrs. — of Kilbarchan, January 3, 1826.
1 The Earl of Wigton had three daughters,
Oh and a waly, but they were unco bonnie!
The eldest of them had the far brawest house,
But she's fallen in love with her footman-laddie.
2 As she was a walking doun by yon river-side,
Oh and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
There she espied her own footman,
With ribbons hanging over his shoulders sae bonnie.
3 'Here's a letter to you, madame,
Here's a letter to you, madame;
The Earl of Hume is waiting on,
And he has his service to you, madame.'
4 'I'll have none of his service,' says she,
'I'll have none of his service,' says she,
'For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
That I'll marry none but you, Ritchie.'
5 'O say not so again, madame,
O say not so again, madame;
For I have neither lands nor rents
For to keep you on, madam.'
6 'I'll live where eer you please, Ritchie,
I'll live where eer you please, [Ritchie,]
And I'll be ready at your ca',
Either late or early, Ritchie.'
7 As they went in by Stirling toun,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
A' her silks were sailing on the ground,
But few of them knew of Ritchie Story.
8 As they went in by the Parliament Close,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
All the nobles took her by the hand,
But few of them knew she was Ritchie's lady.
9 As they came in by her goodmother's yetts,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
Her goodmother bade her kilt her coats,
And muck the byre with Ritchie Storie.
10 'Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
To leave a' your lands at bonnie Cumbernaud,
And follow home your footman-laddie?'
11 'What need I be sorry?' says she,
'What need I be sorry?' says she,
'For I've gotten my lot and my heart's desire,
And what Providence has ordered for me.'
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['Richard Storry']- Version B; Child 232 Richie Story
Skene Manuscript, p. 96; taken down in the north of Scotland, 1802-3.
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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['Richerd Storry']- Version B1; Child 232 Richie Story
"The Old Lady's Collection," No. 21.
1 Comarnad it is a very bonny place,
An ther is ladys three, madam,
Bat the farest an rarest of them a'
Has marred Richerd Storry.
2 'O hear is a letter to ye, madam,
Hear is a letter to ye, madam;
The Earl of Hume, that galant knight,
Is fain in love we you, madam.
3 'Ther is a letter to you, madam,
[Ther is a letter to you, madam;]
The Eearl of Hume, that galant knight,
Disers to be yer servant trou, madam.'
4 'I ill baa nan of his letters, Richerd,
I ill hae nane of his letters, [Richerd,]
I have voued, an I ill keep it trou,
I ill marry nane bat ye, Richie.'
5 'Say na saa to me, lady,
Sai na saie to me, lady,
For I ha nether lands nor rents
For to uiauten ye on, lady.'
6 'Hunten Tour an Tillebarn,
The house of Athell is mine, Riche,
An ye sail haa them a',
Fan ever ye inclen, Riche.
7 'For we will gaa to sea, Riche,
I ill sitt on the deak, Riche,
I ill be yer servant air an lait,
Att any houre ye laek, [Riche.] '
8 'O manie ye be sad, sister,
An mennie ye be sorry, Nelly,
To live the has of bony Comernid,
An follou Richert Storry ?'
9 'O fatt neads I be sad, sister,
Or fou cane I be sorry, Anna ?
A bony lad is my delit,
An my lot has been laid afore me.'
10 As she wen[t] up the Parliment Closs,
We her lassed shene so fine,
Monny an bad the lady good day,
But fue thought she was Richert's lady.
11 As she went up the Parliment Closs,
We her laised shon so fine,
Monny an hailed that gay lady,
But fue balled Richerd Storry.
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'Richie Story'- Version C a; Child 232 Richie Story
a."Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy," No 65, Manuscript of Thomas Wilkie, 1813-15, p. 53, from the singing or recitation of Miss Euphemia Hislope.
1 There are three white hens i the green, madam,
There are three white hens i the green, madam,
But Richie Story he's comd by,
And he's stollen away the fairest o them.
2 'O are'int ye now sad, sister,
O are'in[t] ye now sad, sister,
To leave your bowers and your bony Skimmerknow,
And follow the lad they call Richie Story?'
3 'O say that not again, sister,
O say that not again, sister,
For he is the lad that I love best,
And he is the lot that has fallen to me.'
4 'O there's a letter to thee, madam,
O there's a letter to thee, madam;
The Earl of Hume and Skimmerjim,
For to be sweethearts to thee, madam.'
5 'But I'll hae none of them, Richie,
But I'll hae none of them, Richie,
For I have made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
I'll have none but Ric[h]ie Story.'
6 'O say not that again, madam,
O say not that again, madam,
For the Earl of Hume and Skimmerjim,
They are men of high renown.'
7 'Musslebury's mine, Richie,
Musslebury's mine, Richie,
And a' that's mine it shall be thine,
If you will marry me, Richie.'
8 As she went up through Glasgow city,
Her gold watch was shining pretty;
Many [a] lord bade her good day,
But none thought she was a footman's lady.
9 As she went up through London city,
There she met her scolding minny:
'Cast off your silks and kilt your coats,
And muck the byre wi Richie Story.'
10 'Hold your tongue, my scolding minnie,
Hold your tongue, my scolding minnie;
For I'll cast of my silks and kilt my coats,
And muck the byres wi Richie Story.'
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'Richy Story'- Version D; Child 232- Richie Story
The late Mr. Bobert White's papers.
1 As I came in by Thirlwirl Bridge,
A coming frae the land of fair Camernadie,
There I met my ain true love,
Wi ribbons at her shoulders many.
2 'Here is a letter to you, madam;
[Here is a letter to you, madam;]
The Earl of Hume's eldest son
Sent this letter to you, madam.
3 'I'll have none of his [letters], Richy,
I'll have none of his letters, Richy;
I made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
I'll wed wi nane but you, Richy.'
4 'Say not so again, madam,
Say not so again, madam;
I have neither lands nor rents
To maintain you on, madam.'
5 'I'll sit aneath the duke, Richy,
I'll sit aneath the duke, Richy;
I'll sit on hand, at your command
At ony time ye like, Richy.'
6 As they came in by Thirlewirle Bridge,
A coming frae fair Cummernadie,
She brak the ribbons that tied her shoon
Wi following after the footman-laddie.
7 'O but ye be sad, sister,
O but ye be sad and sorry,
To eave the lands o bonnie Cummernad,
To gang alang wi a footman-laddie!'
8 'How can I be sad, sister?
How can I be sad or sorry?
I have gotten my heart's delight;
And what can ye get mair?' says she.
9 To the house-end Richy brought his lady,
To the house-end Richy brought his lady;
Her mother-in-law gart her kilt her coats,
And muck the byre wi Richy Story.
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'Richard Storie'- Version E; Child 232- Richie Story
"Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy," No 76, Abbotsford.
1 The Earl of Wigton has seven sisters,
And O but they be wondrous bonnie!
And the bonniest lass amang them a'
Has fallen in love wi Richie Storie.
2 As I came down by yon river-side,
And down by the banks of Eache bonnie,
There I met my own true-love,
Wi ribbons on her shoulders bonnie.
3 'Here is a letter for you, madam,
Here is a letter for you, madam;
The earl of Aboyne has a noble design
To be a suitor to you, madam.'
4 'I'll hae nane of his letters, Richie,
I'll hae nane of his letters, Richie,
For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
That I'll hae nane but you, Richie.'
5 'Take your word again, madam,
Take your word again, madam,
For I have neither land nor rents
For to mentain you on, madam.'
6 'I'll sit below the dyke, Richie,
I'll sit below the dyke, Richie,
And I will be at your command
At ony time you like, Richie.
7 'Ribbons you shall wear, Richie,
Ribbons you shall wear, Richie,
A cambric band about your neck,
And vow but ye'll be braw, Richie!'
8 As they came in by the West Port,
The naps of gold were bobbing bonnie;
Many a one bade this lady gude-day,
But neer a one to Richie Storie.
9 As they came up the Parliament Close,
Naps of gold were bobbing bonnie;
Many a gentleman lifted his cap,
But few kennd she was Richie's lady.
10 . . . .
. . . .
And ay methinks we'll drink the night
In Cambernauld sae bonnie.
11 'It's are not you sick, sister,
Are not you very sorrie,
To leave the lands of bonnie Cambernauld,
And run awae wi Richie Storie?'
12 'Why should I be sick, sister,
O why should I be any sorrie,
When I hae gotten my heart's delight?
I hae gotten the lot was laid afore me.'
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'Richie Storie'- Version F a; Child 232 Richie Story
a. Sharpe's Ballad Book, p. 95, 1823.
1 The Erle of Wigton had three daughters,
O braw wallie, but they were bonnie!
The youngest o them, and the bonniest too,
Has fallen in love wi Richie Storie.
2 'Here's a letter for ye, madame,
Here's a letter for ye, madame;
The Erle o Home wad fain presume
To be a suitor to ye, madame.'
3 'I'l hae nane o your letters, Richie;
I'l hae nane o your letters, Richie;
For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
The I'l have none but you, Richie.'
4 'O do not say so, madame;
O do not say so, madame;
For I have neither land nor rent,
For to maintain you o, madame.
5 'Ribands ye maun wear, madame,
Ribands ye maun wear, madame;
With the bands about your neck
O the goud that shines sae clear, madame.'
6 'I'l lie ayont a dyke, Richie,
I'l lie ayont a dyke, Richie;
And I'l be aye at your command
And bidding, whan ye like, Richie.'
7 O he's gane on the braid, braid road,
And she's gane through the broom sae bonnie,
Her silken robes down to her heels,
And she's awa wi Richie Storie.
8 This lady gade up the Parliament stair,
Wi pendles in her lugs sae bonnie;
Mony a lord lifted his hat,
But little did they ken she was richie's lady.
9 Up then spak the Erle o Home's lady;
'Was na ye richt sorrie, Annie,
To leave the lands o bonnie Cumbernauld
And follow Richie Storie, Annie?'
10 'O what need I be sorrie, madame?
O what need I be sorrie, madame?
For I've got them that I like best,
And war ordained for me, madame.'
11 'Cumbernauld is mine, Annie,
Cumbernauld is mine, Annie;
And a' that's mine, it shall be thine,
As we sit at the wine, Annie.'
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'Richard Storry'- Version G a; Child 232 Richie Story
a. Kinloch Manuscripts, I, 203, from Alexander Einnear, of Stonehaven.
1 There were five ladies lived in a bouer,
Lived in a bouer at Cumbernaldie;
The fairest and youngest o them a'
Has fa'n in love wi her footman-laddie.
2 'Here is a letter to you, ladye,
Here is a letter to you, ladye;
The Earl o Hume has written doun
That he will be your footman-laddie.'
3 'I want nane o his service, Ritchie,
I want nane o his service, Ritchie;
For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
That I'll wed nane but thee, Ritchie.'
4 'O that canna be, ladye,
O that canna be, ladye;
For I've neither house nor land,
Nor ought suiting ye, ladye.'
5 'Livd ye on yonder hill, Ritchie,
Livd ye on yonder hill, Ritchie,
There's my hand, I'm at your command,
Marry me whan ye will, Ritchie!'
6 This boy he went to his bed,
It was a' to try this fair ladye;
But she went up the stair to him:
'Ye maun leave your comrades, Ritchie.
7 'To the Borders we maun gang, Ritchie,
To the Borders we maun gang, Ritchie,
For an my auld father he get word,
It's you he will cause hang, Ritchie.'
8 'To the Borders we'll na gang, ladye,
To the Borders we'll na gang, ladye;
For altho your auld father got word,
It's me he dare na hang, ladye.'
9 As they passed by her mither's bouer,
O but her sisters they were sorry!
They bade her tak aff the robes o silk,
And muck the byres wi Ritchie Storry.
10 Whan they cam to yon hie hill,
Dear vow, but the lady she was sorry!
She looked oure her left showther —
'O an I war in bonny Cumbernaldie!'
11 'O are na ye sorry now, ladye,
O are na ye sorry now, ladye,
For to forsake the Earl o Hume,
And follow me, your footman-laddie?'
12 'How could I be sorry, Ritchie,
How could I be sorry, Ritchie?
Such a gudely man as you,
And the lot that lies afore me, Ritchie.'
13 As they rode up through Edinburgh toun,
Her gowd watch hang doun sae gaudie;
Monie a lord made her a bow,
But nane o them thoucht she was Ritchie's ladye.
14 Whan they cam to Ritchie's yetts,
Dear vow, but the music playd bonnie!
There were four-and-twenty gay ladies
To welcome hame Richard Storry's ladye.
15 He called for a priest wi speed,
A priest wi speed was soon ready,
And she was na married to the Earl of Hume,
But she blesses the day she got Richard Storry.
16 A coach and six they did prepare,
A coach and six they did mak ready,
A coach and six they did prepare,
And she blesses the day made her Ritchie's lady.
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['Blair-in-Athol's mine, Ritchie']- Version H; Child 232 Richie Story
The Scots Magazine, LXV, 253, 1803, James Hogg.
1 Blair-in-Athol's mine, Ritchie,
Blair-in-Athol's mine, Ritchie,
And bonny Dunkeld, where I do dwell,
And these shall a' be thine, Ritchie.
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End-Notes
A. 51. Oh.
74. Ritchie's story.
B. 74. ye lake, or take.
82. manna ye be sorry?
92. An who.
C. a. The air is said in the Manuscript to be beautiful and very plaintive.
51,2. madam instead of Richie. Richie in b.
63. Skimmerjim is glossed in the margin Kimmerghame.
81. Written twice.
82. hining. shining in b.
b. 21,2, 31,2, 41,2, 51,2, 61,2, are written in one line.
102. is indicated by &c.
11,2. There's.
13. And Richies tory he's come by.
21,2. O care ye not sad.
23. Skimmer knowes.
24. And go wi the lad they ca Richies tory.
31,2. not so again.
41,2. O wanting.
42. madam wanting.
43. For the: Skimmerham.
44. They will be: to you.
51,2. Richie, for madam of a.
54. none but thee, Richie.
6. wanting.
72. Richie wanting.
81. London city.
82. shining.
83. Many a.
84. But few thought her a.
92. mammy.
94. Richies Torry.
101,2. Now hold: mammy.
103. and cast (wrongly).
104. And I'll muck the byre wi Richies Torry.
D. 14. At his? The ribbons seem more likely to belong to the footman: see A 2, G f 1. But compare B 2, G d, after 1.
E. 14. Var.: wi her brother's foot-boy.
23. On his?
33. Var.: Earl Wemyss.
113. Marginal note: Lady Hume, whose son was suitor to the runnaway lady.
F. b. Evidently furbished, and therefore not collated. After 6 is inserted this stanza, corresponding to 11:
Fair Powmoodie is mine, dear Richie,
And goud and pearlins too;
Gin ye'll consent to be mine, dear Richie,
I will gie them a' to you.
G. Trivial variations are not noticed.
a. 153,4. It is certain from 16 and from other copies of G that she was married to the Earl of Hume, but I have let the text stand as delivered.
b. Stanzas 1, 93,4, 2, 7, 3 , 10-14, 153,4 (?), 16: four marked as wanting.
11,2. Theres seven bonny ladies in yonder ha (twice).
13. The youngest an bonniest amon.
23,4. It's from the Earl o Cumbernauld,
An he is seekin you, lady.
71. we will go, Richie.
72. go, laddie.
93. Ye'll cast aff your gowns o silk.
94. wi your Richie Tory.
101,2. As they gaed down by yon bonny waterside,
O but the sma birds they sang bonnie!
112. sorry, lassie.
113. To leave the Earl o Cumbernauld.
122. sorry, laddie.
123,4. The thing that's afore us we maun endure,
So what need I be sorry, laddie?
131,2. As they gaed down by yon bonny waterside,
O but her gold watch it hung bonny!
133. a ane gaed her a low bow.
134. But few kent she.
141,2. As she gaed doun by yon bonny ha-house,
Oh but the pibrochs they sang bonny!
143. f. an t. belted knichts.
153,4. Says, I 'm the Earl o Cumbernauld,
That for your sake was a footman-laddie.
163,4. Now she rides in her coach-an-six,
An blesses the day she saw Richie Tory.
c. 11 stanzas: 1, 6-9, 13, 10, 14, 16, and 11, 12 as a "chorus" to each of the others.
11,2. Seven sisters in yonder ha,
Seven sisters in Campernadie.
61-3. Ritchie he went up the stair,
Thinking for to meet his lady;
But sae quick as she turned round.
71,2. we will go.
81,2. I'll nae go.
91. they rode up by her sisters' bowers.
93. Says, Ye mann tak aff the goons.
94. byres, nor wi Ritchie tarry.
102. lady grew unco weary.
104. were back at Campernadie.
113. the yerl o Mohun.
114. And wed wi me but.
123,4. What is before me must nae I endure?
An why should I be sorry, Ritchie?
132. O but her gowd it was shinin bonnie!
133. Monie ane gae her a low bow.
134. But few o.
141. As they rode doon by yonder glen.
142. the organs they.
143,4. Four-an-twenty gentlemen Cam a'.
163. An now she rides in her coach-an-six.
d. 16 stanzas: 1; a stanza corresponding to A 2, D 1, 2-9, 13, 10-12, 14, 16.
11,2. There were ladies in yon ha,
Seven ladies in Cumbernaudie.
After 1:
He gaed down the garden green,
In amang the birks sae bonnie,
And there he saw his lady gay,
Wi ribbons on her shoulders mony.
23,4. With Earl Hume's humble desire
Your servant for to be.
31. I'll hae nane o his letters.
32. Nane from Earl Hume.
33,4. But I'll hae him that I like best,
And I'll hae nane but you, Richie.
41,2. Say na that to me. 43. lands nor rents.
44. For to maintain you wi.
51,2. Say na that again, Richie.
53,4. The House o Athole it is mine,
Taranadie shall be thine, Richie.
61,2. He gaed from the garden green,
Thinking he would shun his lady.
63. But quickly she followed after him.
72. I'll gae to them wi thee, Richie.
81,2. To the Borders we will gae,
We will to them gang, lady.
91. rode by her sister's bowers.
94. And gang and beg wi her Richard Storie: editorial nicety.
102. she grew wondrous weary.
123,4. When I get him that I like best,
And what is laid before me, Richie.
131. rode thro yon burrow-town.
141. As they rode by yon bonny House.
143,4. And four-and-twenty gallant knichts Came.
163. And now she rides in her coach-and-four. Christie touched up his text here and there.
e. 113,4, 12, 14, 163,4. wanting.
124. What wad make me sorry?
141. yonder gates.
142. playd pretty.
143. four-and-twenty noble knichts.
144. welcome in Ritchie Torry's lady.
163,4. Now she rides in her coach-and-six,
She blesses the day she got Ritchie Torry.
f. 18 stanzas. Much manipulated, and not entitled to confidence.
1 As I came in yon bonny burn-side,
And down below the bloom sae bonny,
There I espied a handsome lad,
Wi ribbons on his shoulders mony.
(Cf. A 2.)
23,4. Here's a letter frae the Earl o Wemyss,
That he's in suit o thee, madam.
11 Out it speaks her mother then;
O daughter, may not you be sorry
To gang alang wi a servant-man,
And lose the rights o Castle Norry?
123,4. I'm sure I've chosen a bonny lad,
The lot has just been laid afore me.
14 When they gaed through the Parliament Closs,
The silver loops hang down sae bonny;
Then four-and-twenty noble lords
Came hat in hand to Richard Storry.
Appendix
Aytoun, II, 239, says of 'Richie Storie,' The words, recast in a romantic form and applied to a more interesting subject, have been set to music by a noble lady, and are now very popular under the title of 'Huntingtower.' The history of 'Huntingtower' is not so well known as might be expected. I have not been able to ascertain the authorship or the date of its first appearance (which was very probably in society rather than in print). 'Richie Storie' is not carried by our texts further back than 1802-3 (B, H). Kinloch published in 1827 a ballad from recitation, 'The Duke of Athol,' which is 'Huntingtower' passed through the popular mouth; for 'Huntingtower' became, and has continued to be, a favorite with the people. Christie, Traditional Ballad Airs, I, 166, says that he had often heard 'The Duke of Athol' in his early years, and he gives eight stanzas which do not differ remarkably from Kinloch's ballad.
The marks of the derivation of 'Huntingtower' are the terminations of lines 1, 2, 4 of each stanza, and substantial agreements in the last two stanzas with A, B, E 5, D, F, G 4, and with B 6, C 7, H, respectively. The name Huntingtower occurs only in B 6 of 'Richie Storie.' The author of 'Huntingtower' was no doubt possessed of a version of 'Richie Storie' which had its own peculiarities.
'Huntingtower' is too well known to require citing. It has been often printed; as, for example, in Mr. G. F. Graham's Popular Songs of Scotland, revised by J. Muir Wood, Balmoral Editiou, Glasgow, 1887, p. 152; The Songs of Scotland, the words revised by Dr. Charles Mackay, p. 5, London, Boosey & Co. (Altered by the Baroness Nairne, and very little left of it, Life and Songs of the Baroness Nairne, edited by the Rev. Charles Rogers, 1872, p. 177.) The pleasing air strongly resembles, says Mr. Wood, one in D'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy, V, 42, ed. 1719.
'The Duke of Athol' may be given for the interest it has as a popular rifacimento.
The Duke of Athol
"Taken down from the recitation of an idiot boy in Wishaw;" Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 170.
1 'I am gaing awa, Jeanie,
I am gaing awa;
I am gaing ayont the saut seas,
I'm gaing sae far awa.'
2 'What will ye buy to me, Jamie?
What will ye buy to me?'
'I'll buy to you a silken plaid,
And send it wi vanitie.'
3 That's na love at a', Jamie,
That's na love at a';
All I want is love for love,
And that's the best ava.
4 'Whan will ye marry me, Jamie?
Whan will ye marry me?
Will ye tak me to your countrie,
Or will ye marry me?'
5 'How can I marry thee, Jeanie?
How can I marry thee,
Whan I've a wife and bairns three?
Twa wad na weill agree.'
6 'Wae be to your fause tongue, Jamie,
Wae be to your fause tongue;
Ye promised for to marry me,
And has a wife at hame!
7 'But if your wife wad dee, Jamie,
And sae your bairns three,
Wad ye tak me to your countrie,
Or wad ye marry me?
8 'But sin they 're all alive, Jamie,
But sin they 're all alive,
We'll tak a glass in ilka hand,
And drink, Weill may they thrive!'
9 'If my wife wad dee, Jeanie,
And sae my bairns three,
I wad tak ye to my ain countrie,
And married we wad be.'
10 'O an your head war sair, Jamie,
an your head war sair,
I 'd tak the napkin frae my neck
And tie doun your yellow hair.'
11 'I hae na wife at a', Jeanie,
I hae na wife at a';
I hae neither wife nor bairns three;
I said it to try thee.'
12 'Licht are ye to loup, Jamie,
Licht are ye to loup;
Licht are ye to loup the dyke,
Whan I maun wale a slap.'
13 'Licht am I to loup, Jeanie,
Licht am I to loup;
But the hiest dyke that we come to
I'll turn and tak you up.
14 'Blair in Athol is mine, Jeanie,
Blair in Athol is mine;
Bonnie Dunkel is whare I dwell,
And the boats o Garry's mine.
15 'Huntingtower is mine, Jeanie,
Huntingtower is mine,
Huntingtower, and bonnie Belford,
And a' Balquhither's mine.'
Additions and Corrections
P. 292 b, 2d paragraph, first line. Say: L. F., a daughter of John, third Earl.
3d paragraph. Say: Lord John Fleming was created Earl of Wigton, Lord Fleming of Biggar and Cumbernauld, by letters patent dated 19th March, 1606. Hunter (2d ed.), p. 547.
293. B, as it stands in "The Old Lady's Collection," No 21. [Included in Child's Ballad Texts above]
1 Comarnad it is a very bonny place,
An ther is ladys three, madam,
Bat the farest an rarest of them a'
Has marred Richerd Storry.
2 O hear is a letter to ye, madam,
Hear is a letter to ye, madam;
The Earl of Hume, that galant knight,
Is fain in love we you, madam.
3 'Ther is a letter to you, madam,
[Ther is a letter to you, madam;]
The Eearl of Hume, that galant knight,
Disers to be yer servant trou, madam.'
4 'I ill haa nan of his letters, Richerd,
I ill hae nane of his letters, [Richerd,]
I have voued, an I ill keep it trou,
I ill marry nane bat ye, Richie.'
5 'Say na saa to me, lady,
Sai na saie to me, lady,
For I ha nether lands nor rents
For to manten ye on, lady.'
6 'Hunten Tour an Tillebarn,
The house of Athell is mine, Riche,
An ye sail haa them a',
Fan ever ye inclen, Riche.
7 'For we will gaa to sea, Riche,
I ill sitt on the deak, Riche,
I ill be yer servant air an lait.
Att any houre ye laek, [Riche.]'
8 'O manie ye be sad, sister,
An mennie ye be sorry, Nelly,
To live the has of bony Comernid,
An follou Richert Storry?'
9 O fatt neads I be sad, sister,
Or fou cane I be sorry, Anna?
A bony lad is my delit,
An my lot has been laid afore me.'
10 As she wen[t] up the Parliment Gloss,
We her lassed shene so fine,
Monny an bad the lady good day,
But fue thought she was Richert's lady.
11 As she went up the Parliment Gloss,
We her laised shon so fine,
Monny an hailed that gay lady,
But fue hailed Richerd Storry.
The first, second, and fourth verse, perhaps, certainly the second and fourth, should have the trochaic ending which we find in stanzas 2, 5. It may have been supplied ad libitum.
296. F a. Preserved in a small Manuscript volume with the title "Songs" on the cover, entirely in Sharpe's handwriting, p. 27.
297. I. A stanza from the authority of Nannie Blake, an old servant at Peebles: Robert Chambers, in Sharpe's Ballad Book, 1880, p. 131.
'Fair Rosewoodie is a' my ain,
My father left it to me so lately;
Gin ye'll consent to be my ain,
I'll gie ye 't a', my Ritchie Storie.'
Trivial Corrections of Spelling.
297 a, 111. Read ladie.