May Colvin- Annie Shirer (Aber) 1907 Grieg B
[From the Grieg, Duncan Collection, Roud dates this 1910 (17 May) which could be when it was published (Greig published a folk song series in the newspaper.
R. Matteson 2018]
May Colvin- sung by Annie Shirer of Aberdeenshire, collected by Gavin Greig about 1907.
1. It's I've betrayed eight virgins fair,
And ye the ninth maun be,
It's I've betrayed eight virgins fair,
And drowned them in the sea.
2. Cast off, cast off your silken goon,
And petticoats o' it's lawn
For their too costly and too fine,
To toss on deep sea-sand.
3. O turn ye 'roon ye false Sir John,
You back aboot tae me,
For it's nae comely for a man,
A naked woman tae see.
4. But Sir John he turned him 'roon
She threw him in the sea,
Says, Lie there, lie there ye false Sir John,
Where ye thought ye (I) would lie.