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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,Hilary Lyr Req: Geordie (from Sam Russell) (24) RE: Lyr Req: Geordie (from Sam Russell) 20 Sep 12


Broson, in Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads, gives these lyrics for Sam Russell's version.

As I walked over London's bridge
So early in the morning
I overheard some fair one say
O spare me the life of Georgie
I overheard some fair one say
O spare me the life of Georgie

Go saddle and bridle my milk-white steed
Go saddle and bridle him(either swiftly, or quickly)
I'll ride away to the lone castle Carr(or Ker?)
A-pleading for the life of Georgie

She rode all day and she rode all night
Till she came wet and weary
A-combing back her long yellow locks
A-pleading for the life of Georgie

And out her father drew his purse of gold,
The like I never saw any,
Saying, Lawyers, Lawyers come fee yourselves
And spare me the life of Georgie

Georgie was a (standing by?)
And he never killed anybody
But a' stole sixteen of the King's white steeds
And sold them in (Golandie?)

The oldest lawyer(at the Bar?)
Saying, Georgie I'm sorry for you
That your own confession has condemned you to die
May the Lord have mercy upon you

As George was looking up through the street
He bid farewell to many
He bid farewell to his own true love
Which grieved him worse than any

George was hung with a golden chain
The like I never saw any
Because he came from a royal race
And courted a virtuous lady

I wish I was on yonder hill
Where kisses I've had many
My sword and pistol all on my side
I'd fight for the life of Georgie

Presumably, the parentheses and question marks indicate that the collector, or Bronson, was unsure of what those words were. It's interesting that this version seems to focus much more on Geordie himself rather than his grieving lover, like all the other versions I know. She doesn't seem as present here.


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