Thanks for the info, I understood the term Gerodie to refer to the good people of Newcastle which is fairly close to Scotland (Geordies are Scots with their brains kicked out - or should that be oot). Therefore for me this song is about a England paying Scotland to avoid a war over Northumberland. The people mentioned represent the nations and not individuals. Maybe I got it all wrong but you can look at it that way and the lyrics still work well. I think its a bit like references in Irish songs to the 'loved one across the water' meaning Ireland itself and not a particular female !

Cheers.