Lyr Req: Bonny Barbry-O (from Battlefield Band)

Subject: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: GUEST,hurdy_gurdyman
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 01:28 PM

I have searched for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O with no luck. Anyone have them or know where I can find them? Thanks.
Dave :^)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 02:59 PM

Perhaps you could be just a little more specific? There are at least three completely different song-groups that could be meant by that title. I'm guessing that you want the words as sung by a specific performer, as folk usually do; who would that be? What was the song about? The Battlefield Band once recorded a song of that title (though they spelled the word Bonny). I don't recall offhand what song it was, but plenty of people round here will, I expect.

Help us to help you, by giving us the information we need to make a start.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: Roberto
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 03:25 PM

Bonny Barbry-O, a version the Battlefield Band got from Jez Lowe of the song The Bonny Lass Of Fyvie, of which these are some recordings: J.McBeath,in "Come let us buy the licence"; E. MacColl,in "Scottish Popular Songs"; The Corries,in "In Concert/Scottish Love Songs";   J.Strachan,in "Scotland" (Lomax). Martin Carthy has a Handsome Polly O (M.Carthy,in "Shearwater").   The Clancy Brothers sing The Maid of Fife-E-O (in Clancy Bros. & T.Makem,"The Best" and in Clancy Bros. "Greatest Hits"). An american version is called Fannerio, and it was recorded by Judy Collins and Joan Baez.

If this is the song hurdy gurdyman is looking for, let me know and tomorrow I'll write down the text and post it (it is in the CD's booklet). Bye. Roberto

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 04:03 PM

If "Bonnie Lass o' Fyve, O' is the right one, then text and Scots history of the ballad are given in the 'Grieg-Duncan Folk song Collection', I, #84. But it is a modified version of an Irish ballad, "Pretty Peggy of Derby, O", and the history of that, from 1782, (and the American, 'Fennario version', 1880) are given in the Scarce Songs 1 file at www.erols.com/olsonw.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 04:43 PM

If that's the song, then the chances are that Jez Lowe got it at some remove or other from Jeannie Robertson or from Ford's Vagabond Songs and Ballads, where the heroine is called Barbara rather than the more usual Peggy or Polly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: GUEST,hurdy_gurdyman
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 10:36 PM

I heard the version I'm after performed by The Battlefield Band. I can't quite make out all the words, so am looking for written lyrics.
Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 12:06 AM

Give us a line or two. That will help identify the song.

Subject: Lyr Add: BONNY BARBRY-O / BONNIE BARBRY-O
From: Roberto
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 01:43 AM

Here is the text:

Come down the stairs, Bonny Barbry-O
Come down the stairs, Bonny Barbry-O
Come down the stairs
Combing back your yellow hair
And bid a fond farewell to your mother-O

How can I come down, Bonny Willie-O?
How can I come down, Bonny Willie-O?
How can I come down,
When I'm locked here in my room
And a big deep well beneath my window?

I'll buy you ribbons, buy you pearls, Bonny Barbry-O
I'll buy you ribbons, buy you pearls, Bonny Barbry-O
I'll buy you silken gowns
And I'll roll you up and down
When I follow you into your chambers-O

Keep your ribbons, keep your pearls, Bonny Willie-O
Keep your ribbons, keep your pearls, Bonny Willie-O
And you can keep your silken gowns
You'll not roll me up and down
You won't get near my chamber-O

For what would my mother say, Bonny Willie-O?
What would my mother say, Bonny Willie-O?
For what would my mother say
If I were to march away
Along with you and all your soldiers-O?

The soldiers never fear, Bonny Barbry-O
The soldiers never fear, Bonny Barbry-O
For I'll make them all to stand
With their caps all in their hands
When they come into the presence of my Barbry-O

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for lyrics to Bonnie Barbry-O
From: hurdy_gurdyman
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 08:15 AM

That's the one. Thanks!
Dave :^)

Subject: Lyr Add: Bonny Barbry-O
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 11:41 AM

Add for Roberto's post of 28 Jul 03 - 01:43 AM this thread.