Digital Tradition Mirror

The Bonny Earl of Murray (2)

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Bonny Earl of Murray (2)

"Open the gates, and let him come in;
He is my brother Huntly, he'll do him nae harm."

The gates they were opent, they let him come in,
But fause traitor Huntly, he did him great harm.

He's ben and ben, and ben to his bed,
And with a sharp rapier he stabbed him dead.

The lady came down the stair, wringing her hands:
"He has slain the Earl o' Murray, the flower o' Scotland."

But Huntly lap on his horse, rade to the king:
"Ye're welcome hame, Huntly, and whare hae ye been?

"Whare hae ye been? and how hae ye sped!"
"I've killed the Earl o' Murray, dead in his bed."

"Foul fa you, Huntly! and why did ye so!
You might have taen the Earl o' Murray, and saved his life too."

"Her bread it's to bake, her yill is to brew;
My sister's a widow, and sair do I rue."

"Her corn grows ripe, her meadows grow green,
But in bonny Dinnibristle I darena be seen."

Note: In light of the long-standing arguments about what is a ballad,
     and when are two songs simply versions of the same ballad, this
     one presents a problem. Clearly the same set of events as the more
     popular Earl of Murray; clearly a different song. We're calling it
     Child 181. Authorities are invited to differ. RG

Child #181
From Scottish & Border Battles & Ballads, Brander; collected from
     Finlay's Scottish Ballads (1808)
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!