Four Marys

Hi there. Here's a Scottish ballad ostensibly about one of Queen Mary's four servants. The lovely dulcimer accompaniment is played by Jayrbee60, who also introduced this song to me. Thanks John!

Here are the lyrics to this version:

Last night there were four Marys
This night there'll be but three,
There was Mary Beaton and Mary Seaton
And Mary Carmichael and me

O, word has to the kitchen gone,
And word's gone to the hall,
That Mary Hamilton is with child
To the highest Stuart of all.

He courted her out in the kitchen,
He courted her down in the hall,
He courted her in the low cellar,
And that was worse than all.

She has taken her wee little baby,
And tossed it into the sea,
"Sink ye or swim ye my bonnie wee child,
you'll be no more with me."

Oh they took her down to the sheriff's court,
And she did laugh and sigh,
Before she had come back again
She was condemned to die.

Oh, I have often dressed my queen,
And put on her fine silk gown,
And all I've gotten for my reward:
To be hanged in Edinburgh town.

O, happy, happy is the maid
That's born of beauty free.
O, it was my rosy dimpled cheeks
That's been the devil to me.

repeat the first two verses (strike that, reverse them)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Four Marys
• ballad
• folk song

[dholeton]

Alex and John

Well done!  Very pretty.

Dave

[jayrbee60]

Thanks again for doing this! :-D

[frozenwhitebear]

beautifully and naturally sung, very pleasant! nice decent dulcimer backing! thanks John for the share, showing this fine trad. ballad!! :o)

[DamianNixon]

Lovely voice and a great song.

[classican]

Bravo!!!! Wonderful vocal and Johns playing was great!!!! Excellent performance!!! Thanks to John for sharing!

[nllleonard]

Really beautiful song. So sad. Wonderful job, both of you! THanks John. Great job on the dulcimer and yes she has a lovely voice! NAncy

[jayrbee60]

This sounds beautifil Alex. Thank you!!!

[TheEdMulrooneyShow]

Nice job! :)