Flooer o Northumberland- Maureen Jelks (Ang) 1986
[From: Collection - School of Scottish Studies; original Tape ID - SA1986.084. http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/90754/1, transcription needs to be reviewed and edited.
R. Matteson 2018]
Summary - Ballad in which a young woman is duped into helping a Scots prisoner escape from jail in Northumberland. He promises to marry her when they get to Scotland, but instead he abandons her. On returning home, her mother tells her she is not the first to be beguiled in such a manner.
The Flooer o Northumberland- sung by Maureen Jelks of Dundee, County Angus in September, 1986. Recorded at a Kirriemuir Folk Festival competition by Dr Margaret Bennett. CF Annie Shirer's version. My quick transcription, needs proofing.
1. A provost's dochter was walkin' her lane,
Oh but her love it was easy won,
When she heard a Scots prisoner makin' his mean (moan);
And she was the Flooer o Northumberland.
2. "Oh, gin a lassie wid marry me,
Oh but her love it was easy won,
I wid mak her a lady o' high degree,
If she'd loosened me oot o this prison sae strong."
3. She went doon to her father's stable,
Oh but her love it was easy won,
And she's picken a steed that was baith fleet and able,
Tae leads them on tae bonny Scotland.
4. As they were ridin' across the Scotch moor,
Oh but her love it was easy won,
Get doon frae my horse, [I can have you no more],
And ye'll get back to Northumberland.
5. For I hae a wife in my ain countree,
Oh but your love it was easy won,
An' she widnot hae naething wi' a lassie like thee,
So you better gang home to Northumberland."
6. "A cook in your kitchen I swear will be,
Oh but my love it was easy won,
For I can wait on him in my ain countree,
For I canna gang back to Northumberland."
7. "It's cook in my kitchen ye can ne'er be,
Oh but your love it was easy won,
For my lady she wouldna hae lassie like thee,
So ye'll need to gang hame tae Northumberland."
8. Laith was he that a lassie tae tine,
Oh but your love it was easy won,
So he hired an auld horse and feed an auld man
An' he sent her back hame to Northumberland.
9. When she cam hame, her father did froon,
And said, "Oh but your love it was easily won,
Ye've gang with a Scotsman, and you're barely sixteen,
And ye were the flower o' Northumberland."
10. And when she cam hame her mother did smile,
And said, "Oh but your love it was easily won,
But you're nae the first that the Scots hae beguiled.
And ye're welcome back to Northumberland.