"Bonnie Susie Clemonds"? Know this tune?

[Rhiannon_Gloaming]

There's a haunting song I sometimes sing -- usually in the shower where the acoustics are forgiving. I don't know the name, I have no recollection of where I heard it or learned it. For all I know I'm singing it wrong, and gotten the heroine's name wrong tae boot. :-{

Does anyone know anything more about this song? The story behind it? Is it historically accurate (i.e., did they really burn their own daughters for consorting with the enemy? Wouldn't a tarring and feathering been enough?). Even an idea on how one goes about researching these things would help. (It's not in the Child Ballad collection far as I can see, but I'm only half through scanning them). My next step is to hunt down Jean Redpath and just ask her: if anyone would know, she ought!

It's a simple story, full of repeated refrain, but the tune is awesome. Wish I could hum it for you. It goes:

There lived a lady in Scotland
Hey my love and oh [or a'/all] my joy
There lived a lady in Scotland
Wha' if she lo'ed me [loved]
There lived a lady in Scotland
She's fallen in love wi' an English man
And bonnie Susie Clemond's tae be burned in Dundee.

The faither tae the daughters come
Hey my love and oh my joy
The faither tae the daughters come
Wha' if she lo'ed me
The faither tae the daughters come
Will ye forsake yer Engligh mon?
Or bonnie Susie Clemond's tae be burned in Dundee.

I'll no my English man forsake
Hey my love and oh (or all) my joy
I'll no my English man forsake
Wha' if he lo'es me
I'll no my English man forsake
Though ye may burn me at the stake
And bonnie Susie Clemond's tae be burned in Dundee.

Her faither he's made up the stake
Hey my love and oh my joy
Her faither he's made up the stake
Wha' if he lo'es me
Her faither he's made up the stake
Her brother he the fire did make
And bonnie Susie Clemond been burned in Dundee.

Ms. Gloamin': Try doing lyric searches at the Mudcat Cafe - http://www.mudcat.org

Here's the URL for the lyrics to your song, Bonnie Susie Cleland.
http://www.mudcat.org/cgi-shl/as_web...ll99+D+1701296

Evidently you can listen to music on the Mudcat Cafe site, but sound isn't working on my computer.


BONNIE SUSIE CLELAND

There lived a lady in Scotland
Hey my love, ho my joy
There lived a lady in Scotland
So dearly she loved me
There lived a lady in Scotland
She fell in love with an Englishman
Bonnie Susie Cleland, she's to be burned in Dundee

The father to his daughter came
Will you forsake this Englishman?

If you will not this Englishman forsake
Then I will burn you at the stake

Where may I find a pretty little boy
To carry tokens to my joy

Bring to him this right hand glove
Tell him to find another love

Bring to him this wee pen knife
Tell him to find another wife

Bring to him this gay gold ring
Tell him I'm going to my burning

The father he put up the stake
The brothers the fire did make
Bonnie Susie Cleland, she was burned at Dundee

_________
From the singing of Lisa Null, can be heard on her record "The
Feathered Maiden".

Of course, if you've read "Last Night's Fun" by Ciaran Carson, you'll know that lyrics often mutate, as well as tunes. I highly recommend that book for folks in love with sessiuns.

[Rhiannon_Gloaming]

Sonsie, you rule. Thanks for all that, and the missing stanzas, they do indeed ring a bell now. (I'm now betting that you are a librarian. They know where EVERYTHING is and how to get to it.)

But why so formal? :-[ Ms. Gloaming indeed.

Rhiannon

Hahaha! I call all females "Ms. Whateveryournameis". I have no intention of being formal, maybe a bit playful. I am not a librarian, although I could play one on TV. I've had a few extensive "down times" in the last few years, so I spent mega-amounts of time surfing the 'net. Yer welcome.

------------------
"The happiest moments in any affair take place after the loved one has learned to accommodate the lover and before the maddening personality of either party has emerged like a jagged rock from the receding tides of lust and curiosity."

Quentin Crisp

[Kurtlane]

Dear Rhiannon

The song "Bonnie Susie Cleland" is on CD COMD2003 “A Celebration of Scottish Music” on the Temple Records label is available from all good record shop or from Flying Fish Records, Chicago, Il and of course Temple in Scotland.
It is also available on the Amazon. Very good performance.

Best,
David

[Celyn]

And there's is a nice version by June Tabor and the Oyster Band, but I cannot remember the name of the album.

[BagpipeBoy]

the name of the album for june tabor and the oyster band for the song susie clelland is called "Do Not Save Your $hit Here". not to be vulgar or anything. I dont care for their version much myself but you should check it out if you like the song.