The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #168484   Message #4070257
Posted By: Joe Offer
31-Aug-20 - 03:58 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Rigs o' Rye / Two Rigs of Rye
Subject: Rigs o' Rye
Any other versions, background information? Here's the version from the Digital Tradition:

RIGS O' RYE

Twas in the month of sweet July
Before the sun had pierced the sky
'Twas in between two rigs o' rye
I heard two lovers talking.

The lad said, Lassie I must away
I have no longer time to stay
But I've a word or two tae say
If you've got time tae tarry,

Your father of you he takes great care
Your mother combs doon your yellow hair
Your sisters say that ye'll get nae share
If ye gang wi' me, a stranger.

Let my faither fret and my mither frown
My sisters words I do disown
Tho' they were deid and below the ground
I would gang wi' ye, a stranger,

Oh, lassie, lassie, your fortune's small
And maybe it will be nane at all
You're no a match for me at all
Lay your love upon some other,

The lassie's courage began to fail
Her rosy cheeks they grew wan and pale
And her tears came trickling doon like hail
Or a heavy shower in summer,

But he's taken his handkerchief linen fine
He's dried her tears and he's kissed her syne
Saying, Lassie, lassie will ye be mine?
I said it all just to try ye.

This laddie being of courage bold
A bonnie lad scarce nineteen years old
He's ranged the hills and the valleys over
And he's ta'en his lassie wi him.

And aye, this couple are married noo
And they hae bairnies one and two
And they live in Breckin the winter through
And in Montrose in summer.

DT #475
Laws O11

@courtship @Scottish @trick
recored by Sara Grey and by Jean Redpath
filename[ RIGSORYE
TUNE FILE: RIGSORYE
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF


Here's the Traditional Ballad Index Entry:

Two Rigs of Rye [Laws O11]

DESCRIPTION: (The girl tells her lover that her family opposes her marriage.) Uncertain of her dowry, he has doubts about the marriage. When she breaks into tears, he assures her he did not mean it. The two settle down to a long and happy marriage
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1905 (GreigDuncan5)
KEYWORDS: courting dowry marriage
FOUND IN: US(MW) Britain(England,Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (5 citations):
Laws O11, "Two Rigs of Rye"
GreigDuncan5 1054, "The Rigs o' Rye" (29 texts, 24 tunes)
Ord, pp. 31-32, "The Rigs of Rye" (1 text, 1 tune)
Gardner/Chickering 58, "Two Rigs of Rye" (1 short text, 1 tune)
DT 475, RIGSORYE*

ST LO11 (Full)
Roud #985
BROADSIDES:
NLScotland, RB.m.143(122), "Twas in the Month of Sweet July," Poet's Box (Dundee), c. 1890
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "There Was a Squire" (tune, per GreigDuncan5)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
The Rigs of Rye
File: LO11

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