Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight (Child#195)

Subject: Lyr Add: LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT (from Child
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 09:05 AM

From English and Scottish Popular Ballads
Edited from the collection of Francis James Child
By Helen Child Sargent and George Lyman Kittredge
(Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1904)

195

LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT

John, ninth Lord Maxwell, killed Sir James Johnstone, with whom he had an old feud, in 1608. Maxwell fled the country, but was sentenced to death in his absence. Returning after four years, he was betrayed into the power of the government by a kinsman, and was beheaded at Edinburgh, May 21, 1613. Lord Byron, in the preface to Childe Harold, says that "the good-night in the beginning of the first canto was suggested by Lord Maxwell's Goodnight in the Border Minstrelsy." Scott's text (Minstrelsy, 1802, i, 194) is based on B.

A
'Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight,' communicated to Percy by G. Paton, Edinburgh, December 4, 1778.

1 'Good lord of the land, will you stay thane
About my faither's house,
And walk into these gardines green,
In my arms I'll the embraice.

2 'Ten thousand times I'll kiss thy face;
Make sport, and let's be mery:'
'I thank you, lady, fore your kindness;
Trust me, I may not stay with the.

3 'For I have kil'd the laird Johnston;
I vallow not the feed;
My wiked heart did still incline;
He was my faither's dead.

4 'Both night and day I did proced,
And a' on him revainged to be;
But now have I gotten what I long sowght,
Trust me, I may not stay with the.

5 'Adue, Dumfriese, that proper place!
Fair well, Carlaurike faire!
Adue the castle of the Trive,
And all my buldings there!

6 'Adue, Lochmaben gaits so faire,
And the Langhm shank, where birks bobs bony!
Adue, my leady and only joy!
Trust me, I may not stay with the.

7 'Adue, fair Eskdale, up and doun,
Wher my poor frends do duell!
The bangisters will beat them doun,
And will them sore compell.

8 'I'll reveinge the cause mysell,
Again when I come over the sea;
Adue, my leady and only joy!
Fore, trust me, I may not stay with the.

9 'Adue, Dumlanark! fals was ay,
And Closburn! in a band;
The laird of the Lag from my faither fled
When the Jhohnstones struek of his hand.

10 'They wer three brethren in a band;
I pray they may never be merry;
Adue, my leady and only joy!
Trust me, I may not stay with the.

11 'Adue, madam my mother dear,
But and my sister[s] two!
Fair well, Robin in the Orchet!
Fore the my heart is wo.

12 'Adue, the lillie, and fair well, rose,
And the primros, spreads fair and bony!
Adue, my leady and only joy!
Fore, trust me, I may not stay with the.'

13 He took out a good gold ring,
Where at hang sygnets three:
Take thou that, my own kind thing,
And ay have mind of me.

14 'Do not mary another lord
Agan or I come over the sea;
Adue, my leady and only joy!
For, trust me, I may not stay with the.'

15 The wind was fair, and the ship was clare,
And the good lord went away;
The most part of his frends was there,
Giving him a fair convoy.

16 They drank the wine, they did not spare,
Presenting in that good lord's sight;
Now he is over the floods so gray;
Lord Maxwell has te'n his last goodnight.

B
Glenriddell MSS., xi, 18, 1791.

1 'Adiew, madam my mother dear,
But and my sisters two!
Adiew, fair Robert of Oarchyardtoan!
For thee my heart is woe.

2 'Adiew, the lilly and the rose,
The primrose, sweet to see!
Adiew, my lady and only joy!
For I manna stay with thee.

3 'Tho I have killed the laird Johnston,
What care I for his feed?
My noble mind dis still incline;
He was my father's dead.

4 'Both night and day I laboured oft
Of him revenged to be,
And now I've got what I long sought;
But I manna stay with thee.

5 'Adiew, Drumlanrig! false was ay,
And Cloesburn! in a band,
Where the laird of Lagg fra my father fled
When the Johnston struck off his hand.

6 'They were three brethren in a band;
Joy may they never see!
But now I've got what I long sought,
And I maunna stay with thee.

7 'Adiew, Dumfries, my proper place,
But and Carlaverock fair,
Adiew, the castle of the Thrieve,
And all my buildings there!

8 'Adiew, Lochmaben's gates so fair,
The Langholm shank, where birks they be!
Adiew, my lady and only joy!
And, trust me, I maunna stay with thee.

9 'Adiew, fair Eskdale, up and down,
Where my poor friends do dwell!
The bangisters will ding them down,
And will them sore compel.

10 'But I'll revenge that feed mysell
When I come ou'r the sea;
Adiew, my lady and only joy!
For I maunna stay with thee.'

11 'Lord of the land, will you go then
Unto my father's place,
And walk into their gardens green,
And I will you embrace.

12 'Ten thousand times I'll kiss your face,
And sport, and make you merry;'
'I thank thee, my lady, for thy kindness,
But, trust me, I maunna stay with thee.'

13 Then he took off a great gold ring,
Where at hang signets three:
'Hae, take thee that, my ain dear thing,
And still hae mind of me.

14 'But if thow marry another lord
Ere I come ou'r the sea—
Adiew, my lady and only joy!
For I maunna stay with thee.'

15 The wind was fair, the ship was close,
That good lord went away,
And most part of his friends were there,
To give him a fair convay.

16 They drank thair wine, they did not spare,
Even in the good lord's sight;
Now he is oer the floods so gray,
And Lord Maxwell has taen his goodnight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
From: pavane
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 10:20 AM

If you search Google Books, a lot of other references come up.
Seems like in real life, he was later beheaded.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
From: Bearheart
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 09:09 AM

Thanks Pavane, I had thought I had seen it in Child but don't have that volume.

Reinhard, I enjoyed my brief look at your web site and will visit again (the Terry Pratchett quote is a nice touch!...I've been addicted to his books since 1989.)

Don't know that Janet Russell collection but will look for it.

Bekki

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
From: GUEST,Reinhard
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 04:52 AM

My web page for Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight has the liner notes from June Tabor's album and from Fyre & Sworde.

Reinhard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
From: Musket
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 04:30 AM

Maxwell's last goodnight?

I thought it would have been a sea shanty...

(Last seen circling some sharks)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
From: pavane
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 02:27 AM

Try here:

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads By Francis James Child

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
From: Bearheart
Date: 03 Feb 09 - 06:05 PM

Just listening once again to June Tabor's version, would be interested to know more about history of the song and the story behind it.

Can anyone give details?

Thanks!

Bekki

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 11:47 AM

hmmmm - suppossedly John In Brisbane posted this - but it is not on the mudcat midi site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 11:36 AM

tune?

Subject: Lyr Add: LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT
From: Roberto
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 03:31 AM

LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT
June Tabor, An Echo of Hooves, Topic TSCD543, 2003

Good, my lord, will you stay then about my father's house
And walking to these gardens green in my arms I'll thee embrace
Ten thousand times I'll kiss your mouth, make sport and be merry -
I thank you, lady, for your kindness, trust me, I may not stay with thee

For I have killed the laird Johnston, I care not for the feud
My loyal heart did still incline, he was my father's death
By day and night I did pursue and all on him revenged to be
Now I have gotten what I long sought, trust me, I may not stay with thee

Adieu Dumfries, my proper place, adieu, adieu Caerlaverock fair
Adieu my castle of the Threem and all my buildings there
Adieu Lochmaben's gates so fair and the Legumshank where the birch pops bonny
Adieu my lady and my only joy, trust me, I may not stay with thee

Now he has taken a good gold ring whereat hang signets three
Says - Take you this, my own dear love, and ay have mind of me
But if you take another lord while I am o'er the sea
His life is but a three day's lease, trust me, I may not stay with thee

The wind was fair, the ship was clear, the good Lord went away
The most part of his friends were there to give him safe convoy
They ate the meat, they drank the wine, presenting in that good Lord's sight
Now he is over the floods so grey, Lord Maxwell's taken his last goodnight

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 01:53 AM

Presumably Janet said where she got it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: pavane
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 04:42 AM

Do I remember June Tabor recording this in the 70's?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 08:46 AM

There we go, the Lily and the Rose is the best line.

Subject: Lyr Add: LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT
From: Roberto
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 08:44 AM

LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT
Janet Russell, on Fyre & Sworde, Songs of the Border Reivers, Fellside FECD131, 1998

Adieu, madame, my mother dear
But and my sisters three!
Adieu, fair Robert of Orchardstane!
My heart is wae for thee
Adieu, the lily and the rose
The primrose fair to see
Adieu, my ladye, and only joy!
For I may not stay with thee

Though I hae slain the Lord Johnstone
What care I for their feid?   
My noble mind their wrath disdains
He was my father's deid
Both night and day I labour'd oft
Of him avenged to be
But now I've got what lang I sought         
And I may not stay with thee

Adieu! Drumlanrig, false wert aye
And Closeburn in a band!
The Laird of Lag, frae my father that fled
When the Johnstone struck aff his hand
They were three brethren in a band
Joy may they never see!
Their treacherous art, and cowardly heart
Has twined my love and me

Adieu! Dumfries, my proper place
But and Carlaverock fair!
Adieu! my castle of the Thrieve
Wi' a' my buildings there!
Adieu! Lochmaben's gate sae fair
The Langholm-holm, where birks there be
Adieu! my ladye and only joy
For, trust me, I may not stay wi' thee

Adieu! Fair Eskdale up and down
Where my puir friends do dwell
The bangisters will ding them down   
And will them sair compell
But I'll avenge their feid mysell
When I come o'er the sea
Adieu! my ladye, and only joy
For I may not stay wi' thee

Lord of the land! - that ladye said
O wad ye go wi' me
Unto my brother's stately tower
Where safest ye may be!
There Hamiltons, and Douglas baith
Shall rise to succour thee -
Thanks for thy kindness, fair my dame
But I may not stay wi' thee

Then he tuik aff a gay gold ring
Thereat hang signets three
Hae, tak thee that, mine ain dear thing
And still hae mind o' me!
But if thou take another lord
Ere I come ower the sea
His life is but a three days' lease      
Though I may not stay wi' thee

The wind was fair, the ship was clear
That good lord went away
And most part of his friends were there
To give him a fair convey
They drank the wine, they didna spare
Even in that gude lord's sight
Sae now he 's o'er the floods sae gray
And Lord Maxwell has ta'en his Goodnight

Subject: Lyr Add: LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT
From: jacqui.c
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 07:39 AM

Here's another version.

LORD MAXWELL'S LAST GOODNIGHT

Good my lord, will you stay then about my father's house?
And walking to these gardens green in my arms I'll thee embrace.
Ten thousand times I'll kiss your mouth. Make sport and let's be merry.
I thank you lady for your kindness. Trust me, I may not stay with thee.

For I have killed the laird Johnston. I care not for the feud.
My loyal heart did still incline. He was my father's death.
By day and night I did pursue and all on him revenged to be.
Now I have gotten what long I sought. Trust me, I may not stay with thee.

Adieu Dumfries, my proper place adieu. Adieu Caerlaverock fair.
Adieu my castle of the Threem and all my buildings there.
Adieu Lochmaben's gates so fair and the Legumshank where the birch pops bonny.
Adieu my lady and my only joy. Trust me, I may not stay with thee

Now he has taken a good gold ring whereat hangs signets three.
Says, take you this, my own dear love and aye have mind of me.
But if you wed another lord while I am on the sea,
His life is but a three day's leave, though I may not stay with thee.

The wind was fair. The ship was clear. The good Lord went away.
The most part of his friends were there to give him good company.
They ate the meat. They drank the wine, presenting in that good Lord's sight.
Now he is over the floods so grey. Lord Maxwell's taken his last goodnight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 07:38 AM

Thank you very much. Perfect.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 06:51 AM

There's a version from Scott's Minstrelsy HERE

Regards

Subject: Lyr Req: Lord Maxwell's Goodnight
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 06:38 AM

Have been listening to Janet Russell's singing this on "Fyre & Sworde" but can't find the lyrics anywhere.