Douglas Tragedy- W. Mackey (Aber) 1932 Carpenter
[From the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/3/G, p. 06757. A short version in fairly consistent dialect. I've filled in last two lines missing in stanza ten, the opening is unique.
R. Matteson 2018]
The Douglas Tragedy- sung by William Mackey of Logie Lodge, Lonmay, Aberdeenshire in 1932. Collected by James Madison Carpenter.
1. "Stand up, stand up, my seven sons so bold,
An' stand to your armour so clear,
An' take better care of your youngest sister,
For your eldest's awa' I fear."
2. He's mounted her on a milk-white steed,
An' himsel on a dapple grey,
Wi' his bugle horn hingin doon by his side,
An' so slowly they baith rode away.
3. "Hold off, hold off," Lord William," she cried,
"Your strokes are wondrous sore,
For sweethearts I'll get monny a ane,
But a father I'll never get more."
4. "O choose, O choose, Lady Margaret," he says,
"Whether to go or to bide.
"O I maun go along wi' you,
"For you've left me no other guide."
5. They rode on, an' on they rode,
It wis a' by the licht o' the moon,
Until they came to yon wan water,
It wis there they baith lichted doon.
6. They lichted doon to tak a drink,
Frae the water that rinnin sae clear,
Twas there that she sa' his heart's blood rin doon,
Twas there she began for to fear.
7. "Stand off, stand off, Lord William," she cries,
"I afraid that ye are slain,
"It's only the color of my reid scarlet cloak,
Goin' trinklin' doon the stream."
8. He's mounted her on a milk-white steed,
An' himsel on a dapple grey,
Wi' his bugle horn hingin' down by his side,
An' so slowly's they baith rode away.
9. "Ye'll mak my bed baith lang an' wide,
An' mak it soft and deep,
An' lay my truelove my side,
That the sooner I may sleep."
10. Lord William died in the middle o' the nicht,
Lady Margaret died on the morrow,
[Lord William died for his ain true love,
Lady Margaret died of sorrow.]
11. Lord William was buried in St. Mary's church,
Lady Margaret in St. Mary's choir,
An' oot o' Lord William's breist there sprung a reid rose,
An' oot o Lady Margaret's a sweet briar.