Jock o' Hazeldean- Insch (OK-Scot) pre 1907 Moores
[From Ballads and Songs from the Southwest by Ethel and Chancey O. Moore; 1964. Under the heading of John of Hazelgreen, the Moores say about this version, "Sir Walter Scott's version of this ballad (Child, No. 293), entitled Jock of Hazeldean, is fairly popular in Oklahoma," which is just not true-- considering only 4 versions of Hazeldean have been collected in the US and no others in Oklahoma. Regardless of their commentary (rivaling Gainers), the Moores have an outstanding collection of ballads and songs, mainly from emigrants from The British Isles who made there way to Oklahoma.
The informant is one W. M. Insch of Tulsa. The Moores say "Mr. Insch, who was born in Peterhead, Scotland, arrived in Philadelphia in 1907 and moved to Tulsa in April of the following year."
The Davis J version dating back to c. 1850, is also based on Scott's 1816 poem (ballad re-creation) Jock o' Hazeldean in which Scott used the first verse of John of Hazelgreen (Child E a) and added two stanzas of his own. Two articles (see attached to Recording & Info page) were written about Scott's ballad and the resulting traditional versions:
Jock of Hazeldean and Child 293 E by Maurice W. Kelley
Modern Language Notes, Vol. 46, No. 5 (May, 1931), pp. 304-306
Scott's "Jock of Hazeldean": The Re-Creation of a Traditional Ballad by Charles G. Zug, III
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 86, No. 340 (Apr. - Jun., 1973), pp. 152-160
A traditional version based on Scott's poem Jock o' Hazeldean from Canada that was by sung Mrs. McGill was sent to Barry in 1928 (see Jock o' Hazeldean- McGill {NB} 1928). McGill learned her version in Scotland before 1911. A fragment of the first verse was collected in Florida pre-1950.
R. Matteson 2014]
John of Hazelgreen
Sir Walter Scott's version of this ballad (Child, No. 293), entitled Jock ol Hazeldean, is fairly popular in Oklahoma. It has been reported in the United States in the following: Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 369-71; Davis , 529-36; Morris, 330; Scarborough, song Catcher, 226-27; and Sharp, I, 294.
A. Jock o' Hazeldean- sung by W. M. Insch of Tulsa. Mr. Insch, who was born in Peterhead, Scotland, arrived in Philadelphia in 1907 and moved to Tulsa in April of the following year.
"Why weep ye by the tide, ladye,
Why weep ye by the tide?
I'll gae ye to my youngest son
If you will be his bride."
Refrain: "If you will be his bride, ladye,
No fairer shall he see."
But a' she let the tears doon fa,
For Jock o' Hazeldean.
"O what sort of man is Hazeldean?
I pray you tell to me."
"There's not a handsomer gentleman
In all the south countree."
Refrain: "His arms are lang, his shoulders broad,
Sae comely to be seen."
But a' she let the tears doon fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldean.