Lyr Req: duncan williamson's sir patrick spens

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: duncan williamson's sir patrick spens
From: Jim McLean
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 05:27 PM

Roberto, Duncan seems to make up names, words which don't exist anywhere else. This is sometimes attributed to 'tradional travelling folk' but really seems to be just ignorance. There are many published versions of Sir Patrick Spence and I could easily send you one but maybe you just want to hear what Duncan actually sang.
Cheers,
Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: duncan williamson's sir patrick spens
From: GUEST,Storyteller
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 06:56 AM

I think Duncan sings Burntisland Toon, but I'll have to check later.

Subject: Lyr Add: SIR PATRICK SPENS (from Duncan Williamson
From: Roberto
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 04:33 AM

This transcription should be ok, but I can't get the name of the town they sail from, in the 7th stanza. Please, help. Thank you. R

Sir Patrick Spens
Duncan Williamson, Put another log in the fire, Songs and tunes from a Scots Traveller, Veteran Tapes VT128 (cassette)

Oh the King he sits in Dunfermline toon
He's a-drinkin' the blood-red wine
He said – Whaur shall I find a skeely skipper
For to sail this fine ship o' mine?

Then up and speaks an old eldry knight
Wha sits by the King's right knee:
He says - Sir Patrick Spens is the finest sailor
That ever did sail the sea

So the King he takes his quill in hand
And in a letter he did say:
You maun tak' this to Sir Patrick Spens
You maun tak' it right away

Oh, the first words that Sir Patrick read
Oh, a loud laugh laughed he
And the next words Sir Patrick read
Oh, a tear it blinded his ee

He said – Wha has gone and done this thing
And tellt the King on me
That I maun sail through storm and gale
That I maun gang to Norway

But I'll sail, my King, I will go, my Lord
I'll sail right through the faem
For I'll make my way to Norway
And I'll bring young Margaret hame

So they sailed away from --- toon
They sailed right through the faem
For they were bound for Norway
Just to bring young Margaret hame

Well, they hadna been in Norway
Oh, a week nor scarcely three
When the highest lords in the King's court
Did turn around and did say:

Oh, those Scottish men, they drink our wine
And they spend our gold
And they have come to Norway
And they have brought none of their own

Oh, you're leers aloud – cried Sir Patrick
You're leers aloud – cried he
There's twenty thousand of gold and silver
In a dowry I've brought with me

But I'll sail this night, this very night
I'll sail right through the faem
I'll make my way to Scotland
And I'll bring young Margaret hame

So they sailed away from Norway
They sailed right through the faem
For they were bound for Dunfermline Toon
Just to bring young Margaret hame

But in the Firth o' Forth they ran into a storm
And the waves around them they did sweep
Now Sir Patrick Spens and his gallant crew
Lie sleepin in the deep