I can't believe this thread! I've been working on The Dowie Dens o' Yarrow for the past 3 days, ever since I fell in love with it on a Jean Redpath tape. Dave helped me puzzle through the accent to write down the words, since they weren't on the insert, but I had no idea it was a Child Ballad. ^^^
I was working on it this afternoon, I take a break and stop in to check the Mudcat, and here it is, being discussed!! I love this place. Okay, here's the Jean Redpath version I'm learning, followed by my questions...

There was a lady in the North
Ye could scarcely find her marrow
She was courted by 9 noble lords
And a plooman lad frae Yarrow

The 9 sat drinkin' at the wine
Sat drinkin' wine and yarrow
They made a vow among themselves
To fight for her on Yarrow

She's washed his face, she's combed his hair
As oft she'd done a-fore-o
She's made him like a noble lord
For to fight for her on Yarrow

As he gae doon the high, high hill
Doon to the home o' Yarrow
Twas there he spied 9 armed men
Come to fight wi' him on Yarrow

There's 3 he slew, and 3 withdrew
And 3 he's wounded sorely-o
Da brother John came in frae behind
And has wounded him most fowly-o

Oh Father dear, I dreamed a dream
I doubt it will bring sorrow
I dreamed I put the heather green
On the dowie dens o' Yarrow

So she get down the high, high hill
Doon to the homes o' Yarrow
And there she found her lover John
Lyin' pale and wan on Yarrow

Her hair it was three quarters long
The color it was yellow
She's wrapped it 'round his middle small
And she's bore him up frae Yarrow

Oh Father dear you've 7 sons
Ye never bought 'em marrow
For the fairest flower among them all
Was the lad I lood on Yarrow

I really love this song, and I'd like to understand the version I'm singing as much as I can. If somebody could help me out with these questions, I'd be grateful...

1. What does marrow mean in verses 1 and 9?
2. Does "plooman lad" in verse 1 mean a plow boy?
3. Is Yarrow a placename as well as an herb? (It seems you can drink it, fight on it, and it has a home...)
4. In the verse 5 "Da brother John" comes in from behind to wound our hero, but in verse 7 she calls him "her lover John" is John the murderer or the lover?
5. Dave says the Scottish useage "I doubt" can mean "I'm sure" as well. Can somebody help me understand that?
6. What is the reference to putting heather on the dens of Yarrow? Is that like putting flowers on a grave?
7. Why does she wrap her hair around his waist?
8. Does "lood" in verse 9 mean "loved"?

I want to hear this sung by a variety of people, so I'm anxious to get the tapes mentioned in this thread. Sandy, if I call you will you sing it for me too? :) If anyone gets the chance to hear the Jean Redpath one, it's quite lovely.

PJ