Spanish Lady- Bell Robertson (Aber) 1907 Greig I
[Five stanzas with chorus and music from Greig-Duncan Collection 4, version I. The first two stanzas are Spanish Lady I, reworked from 1776 bawdy song, "The Ride in London."
The Scottish versions of Spanish Lady have the opening stanzas of the bawdy 1776 song rewritten as found Bell's stanza 1 and 2. They are followed by stanzas of "Madam" and in Bell's version there is only one. The Spanish merchant stanza is standard in "Oh No John" and "No Sir," while the last stanza is found in "Galway City" and some other versions of Spanish Lady.
R. Matteson 2017]
"Spanish Lady"- sung by Bell Robertson of New Pitsligo (b.1841) which may, through her mother and maternal grandmother of Strichen, date back to the 1700s or early 1800s. It was collected by Grieg about 1907 and is version I from Greig-Duncan Collection, vol. 4.
1. Walking down through London city,
Between twelve and one at night,
There I saw a Spanish lady
Wash herself by candle light.
CHORUS: She said Aye, no, no, no,
She said Aye, no, no, no,
She said Aye, no, no, no,
Still the lady answered No.
2 Wi' a basin full of water
And a towel in her hand.
And a candle on the table,
Like an angel she did stand.
CHORUS
3 Madam, I am come to court you,
If I could your favour gain.
And gin ye make me kindly welcome
Maybe I come back again.
CHORUS
4. My father he's a wealthy merchant
He has lately gone from home
He left me strict directions
Never to say Aye to none.
CHORUS
5. Saw ye ever a copper kettle,
Marriet with a brazen pan,
Saw ye ever a Spanish Lady,
Would refuse an Englishman?
CHORUS