Hi

Last year I won a prize in the singing competition at the Goleta Old Time Fiddler's Convention here in California with a rendition of Geordie. I like to sing it because my brother is named Geordie. I sang a version I picked up from a Peggy Seeger recording, I think it was on one of the "Blood and Roses" records she made with Ewan MacColl. She sings a very American variant with a very evocative tune. I especially like the verse about the lawyers and the money.
Here are the words to that version:

GEORDIE
(from Peggy Seeger)

As I walked over old London's Bridge
It was in the morning early
There I espied a pretty fair maid
Lamenting for her Geordie

She said "now saddle me my bly,
go bridle him right gaily,
and I will ride this live long night
and beg for the life of Geordie."

She rode, she rode until she came there
It was in the morning early
And on bended knee she fell
Saying "spare the life of Geordie."

Then she pulled out her purse of gold
crying "Lawyers money aplenty!
Just fee yourself and think on me
and plea for the life of Geordie."

Then Geordie's lawyer he rose up
saying "I've nothing at all against him
By his own confession he must die
and the Lord have mercy on him."

The Judge looked over his left shoulder,
and he looked both sad and sorry,
"My pretty fair maid you have come too late
Geordie's going to be hanged tomorrow."

Geordie he walked up and down the hall
bidding adieu to many
but when he came to his own true love
it grieved him worse than any.

Geordie was hanged with a golden chain
such chains you don't see many
he was born of a noble race
and he loved a virtuous lady.

Geordie is buried in Harlan state
and over him grows a willow
with a marble slab at his head and feet
and his true love's arm for a pillow