Geordie - Maddy Prior, June Tabor

There was a battle in the north

And nobles there were many

And they have killed Sir Charlie Hay

And laid the blame on Geordie

O he has written a long letter

And sent it to his lady:

«You must come up to Edinburgh town

To see what news of Geordie»

When first she looked the letter on

She was both red and rosy

She had not read a word but two

When she grew pale as the lily

«Go fetch to me my good grey steed

My men shall all go with me

For I shall neither eat nor drink

Till Edinburgh town shall see me»

Then she has mounted her good grey steed

Her men they all went with her

And she did neither eat nor drink

Till Edinburgh town did see her

And first appeared the fatal block

And then the axe to head him

And Geordie coming down the stair

With bands of iron upon him

Though he was chained in fetters strong

Of iron and steel so heavy

O not a one in all the court

Was so fine a man as Geordie

O she’d down on her bended knee

I’m sure she’s pale and weary

«O pardon, pardon noble kings

And give me back my dearie»

«Go tell the heading man make haste»

Our king replies full lordly

«O noble king take all that’s mine

But give me back my Geordie»

The Gordons came and the Gordons ran

And they were stark and steady

And aye the word among them all

Was Gordons keep you ready

An aged lord at the king’s right hand

Says «Noble kings, but hear me

Let her count out five thousand pounds

And give her back her dearie»

Some gave her marks, some gave her crowns

Some gave her dollars many

She’s counted out five thousand pounds

And she’s gotten again her dearie

She glanced blithe in her Geordie’s face

Say «Dear I’ve bought thee Geordie;

But the blood would have flowed upon the green

Before I lost my laddie»

He clasped her by the middle small

And he kissed her lips so rosy

«The fairest flower of women kind

Is my sweet bonny lady»