On the tangent of "Maa Bonny Lad" I have always assumed, and sung -
"He's gan ower lang wi his stick in his hand,
He's gan to row the Keel-o"

Meaning, she is concerned about how long the lad has been gone since he went to work.
Keel boats were particular craft used for ferrying coal to larger ships on the Tyne. His "stick" is the long punt-like oar which was used to drive the boat against the wind. I suppose "ower land" could describe his walk to work but "over lang" fits neatly with her enquiry in the first line -
" O ha ye heared owt o maa bonny lad?"