The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #29130   Message #366703
Posted By: Malcolm Douglas
01-Jan-01 - 11:12 AM
Thread Name: Origins: How many versions of Geordie
Subject: RE: How many versions of Geordie
Ah, we can always rely on the old knee-jerk reaction!  Although the most usual placename is Bohenny (Bohemia) and variations thereon, similar-sounding local names were often substituted.   Lucy Broadwood commented in English Traditional Songs and Carols (1908): "In the many versions Georgie is said to have sold the King's horses or deer to "Bohemia", "Bohenny", "Bevany", "Bennavie", and "Gory".  Possibly "Germanie" may be nearer the original, which is usually meant to rhyme with the word "any" ("money" in the Sussex version."

To that list I can add "in Boeny", "to Lord Navey", "in a hurry", "in the army", "in Virginny (or Virginia)", "to bold Henry", "to Broad Hambury (or Hembury)", "down under the valley", "Which grieves me most of any" "All for to feed his family" and..."in Kilkenny".  The last appears in a broadside at the Bodleian Library, printed in Liverpool around 1820, so I'm afraid you don't get to claim your own version on that score...

Malcolm