The Laird and the Shepherd's Daughter- McGill (NB) 1928 Barry
[Barry's title--McGill's title was "The Knight and the Shepherd's Daughter." From British Ballad From Maine; 1929, Barry et all.
This is the second extant version of Child 236 found in North America (see also the fragment from Michigan) and it was "learned in Scotland" pre-1911 by Mrs. James McGill of Chamcook, New Brunswick. Both the extant US ballads labeled versions of Laird o Drum are associated with the 1792 Burns re-composition, "O'er the Moor Amang the Heather," originally by the Scottish Jean Glover of Kilmarnock, which according to Alan Cunningham became popular in 1790. The third verse appears in both US versions. The Michigan text is identical to the verses of "O'er the moor" (see below) and should not properly be called a version of Child 236. The Canadian text published by Barry in 1929 was assigned the title, "The Laird and the Shepherd's Daughter" (probably by Barry) and is a combination of "Laird" and the ballads in Child's appendix where the bride is a shepherd's daughter.
R. Matteson 2013, 2016]
The Laird and the Shepherd's Daughter- Sent in by Mrs. James McGill (Chamcook, N.B.) 1928. "Learned in Scotland," Barry 1929. McGill moved from Scotland circa 1911.
1. It's up yon wild an' lonely glen,
Beside, there's many a lofty mountain,
'Twas there I spied a bonnie lass
Ae day I rode out huntin'.
2. Her face was fair, her heart was true,
Her features they were comely, slender,
Her dooncast looks an' sparklin' ee,
Has cast my heart nea mair tae wonder.
3. Says I, "Fair lass, whaur is thy hame?
In maire or dell, pray tell me whither ?"
"Kind sir, I lent my fleecy flocks
That feed amang the bonny heather."
4. "It's wull ye wed the laird o Drum
And sleep wi' him on a bed o' feathers?
Ye'll wear fine silks an' satins braw,
An' be the flower amang the heather."
5 "O it's deed, kin' sir, your offer's fair,
I really think wi' me ye're jokin',
For ye are sure some rich man's heir,
An' I a lowly shepherd's daughter."
6 "It's true, I am my faither's heir,
But he can ne'er control my fancy;
For it's herdin' sheep on yon hill side
I'll gang wi' you, my lovely Nancy."