Lyr Req: Bonnie Earl of Livingstone

Subject: Bonnie Earl of Livingston
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 03:47 PM

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of a different tune to the Bonnie Earl of Livingston. I have the album that Eileen and Graham Pratt did, with the tune that Grahan set to the ballad. I didn't think I saw a version of one of the traditional tunes in my abridged Bronson volume. I think they're arrangement and delivery of the song was top notch, so see no reason to try and duplicate it. A clue to where I could find a traditional version would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Subject: Lyr Req: Bonnie Earl of Livingstone
From:
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 12:48 AM

This song starts:
Now we were sisters seven but five were dead with child, there are none but you and me love, and we'll stay maidens mild....

Can anyone give me the full song? It's on a Graham and Eileen Pratt record (yes, record) but I can't make out the words of the whole song.
Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny Earl of Livingston
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 02:46 AM

Hello, Happy - I combined your thread with a previous request for a tune, and crosslinked with threads on another version of the song, Fair Mary of Wallington. Take a look at the other versions of the song, and you may get some understanding of the Pratt recording. Keep watching these threads for future developments.
All seven of the Child texts for this song are here (click).

-Joe Offer- (e-mail sent)-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonnie Earl of Livingstone
From: masato sakurai
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 03:03 AM

Bronson wrote in The Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads, vol. 2 (p. 417):

Since the musical school of collectors has been at work, this ballad ["Fair Mary of Wallington"] seems not to have been found among English-speaking peoples. It is a pity Mrs. Brown's tune was not saved with the grim words;..."