Lyrics Geordie - Maddy Prior, June Tabor

Geordie

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»