Lyr Req: My Bonnie Boy in Blue

Subject: Lyr Req: Bonny boy in blue
From: Drumshanty
Date: 07 May 06 - 04:31 PM

At Dunfermline Folk Club last Wednesday, I was lucky enough to hear Sylvia Barnes for the very first time. What a voice!

Anyway, that aside, she sang a song that she said was Irish and I didn't catch the title, and I didn't catch her to ask her about it either.

The chorus started with the line "Oh dear me" and there was a Johnny involved and the last line of the chorus is something like "My bonny boy in blue". It's a girl singing for her sailor.

I've not found anything in the DigiTrad or Forum, and Google's been precious little help too.

Anyone know the words and/or any recordings of it?

Subject: ADD: My Sailor Boy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 May 06 - 06:39 PM

One version of #5238 in the Roud Index is called "Bonny Boy in Blue." I don't have that one, but it's cross-indexed to Sam Henry's Songs of the People:

My Sailor Boy

My boy he is a sailor,
a sailor boy in blue,
I know he has my heart,
And I hope he will prove true.
He's gone away to plough the sea,
To plough the raging main,
And soon he will return again
To his own dear Mary Jane.

My heart it is a-breaking
Until the day will come
When he and I will meet
When he comes rambling home;
His cheeks are red and rosy
And his heart is ever true,
He is the darling of my heart,
My sailor boy in blue.

He promised he would bring me
A monkey and a bear,
and every sort of foreign toy,
And mats all made with hair,
Some flying fish and tortoise shells,
And shells from Timbuctoo,
And such a lot of presents from
My sailor boy in blue.


Singer: Mrs. Delargey (Waterfoot, Glenariff) 11 June 1938


Could this be a version of the song you seek?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny boy in blue
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 May 06 - 07:31 PM

The other example currently listed looks more likely: 'My Bonny Boy in Blue' (Tom Munnelly, Mount Callan Garland, from Tom Lenihan, Milton Mowbray, Co Clare, 1988.

The song was issued on at least one broadside. You can see the 1871 Glasgow 'Poet's Box' print at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads:

My bonnie boy in blue

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny boy in blue
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 May 06 - 07:50 PM

In passing...

Miltown Malbay!

I'll be there for my annual visit at the beginning of July.

Regards
p.s. I can check the version in Tom's book, if necessary.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny boy in blue
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 May 06 - 08:25 PM

Whoops. I really do need those new glasses, don't I?

I suspect that the set in Tom's book would be the one to go for, but there may well be other forms still lurking about in the area. I expect that Sylvia would be happy to provide details.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny boy in blue
From: GUEST,Drumshanty
Date: 08 May 06 - 04:47 AM

Many thanks for those. Malcolm, the song on the broadside is pretty close to what she sang - there was definitely an elephant. And thank you for reminding me about the Bodleian Library site...

Tracy

Subject: Lyr Add: MY BONNIE BOY IN BLUE (from Bodleian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 May 06 - 09:29 AM

From Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads, Firth c.12(321):

MY BONNIE BOY IN BLUE [1871]

My love he is a middy. He's my bonnie boy in blue.
He's stole away my heart, but I know he'll still be true.
He's gone to sail the sea and to plough the raging main,
But he's promised he'll return to his Polly dear again.

CHORUS: Oh, dear, me! How my poor heart does beat,
Longing for the day when my middy I shall meet.
His red rosy cheeks, with a heart that's ever true,
He is the darling of my heart. He's my bonnie boy in blue.

I felt quite broken-hearted, and heaved a heavy sigh,
As I waved my pocket-handkerchief, bidding him goodbye.
When his ship sailed out of sight, I knew not what to do,
For I was left alone, without my bonnie boy in blue.

He's going to bring an elephant, a monkey, and a bear,
A lot of foreign birds, and some mats all made of hair,
A flying fish and tortoise shell that grow in Timbuktoo,
As presents to his Polly, from her bonnie boy in blue.

He's promised that he'd marry me as soon as he comes home,
And never more again from his Polly will he roam.
I'm sure I shall be happy, and never cease to rue*
The day I gave my hand to my bonnie boy in blue.

[*Note: "never cease to rue" doesn't seem appropriate here.]