I Wish, I Wish- Elsie Morrison (Moray) 1956 REC
[School of Scottish Studies; Track ID - 20022; Original Tape ID - SA1956.040 Their notes follow. The last two stanzas are from the "Constant Lady" broadside.
R. Matteson 2017]
Elsie Morrison 1885-1964 was born at Ballindalloch, Cragganmore, and raised in Nether Dallachy, Spey Bay. She does not remember the first verse. She got the song from Singin' Jockie MacDonald.
I Wish, I Wish- sung by Elsie Morrison of Moray in 1956. Recorded by Hamish Henderson.
I wish, I wish, and I wish in vain,
I wish that I was a maid again.
But a maid again I’ll never be
‘Till an apple grows on the orange tree.
There stands an alehouse at a toon nearby
My love goes there and he sets him doon,
He takes another lassie on his knee,
Isn't that a hurt and a grief to me?
Oh when my apron strings did tie low
He followed me e'en through frost and snow.
But noo my apron’s tae my chin
My love goes by and he comes nae in.
To the meadows[1] this fair went
She pulled the lilies tae her heart's content
She pulled the lilies and roes too
Until her apron was roun' an' full.
To her bed this fair maid went
She placed the lilies below her head
Twas there she lay and she never spoke
Twas all through love that her young heart broke.
1. unclear