Spanish Lady- Cruickshank (Aber) 1908 Greig C
[From Greig-Duncan Collection 4, version C This is a version of Spanish Lady I with the two stanzas reworked from 1776 bawdy song, "The Ride in London."
R. Matteson 2017]
"Spanish Lady," sung by Mary Cruickshank of Aberdeenshire; collected by Greig about 1908, published in 1910 in Greig's weekly folk song column. version C from Greig-Duncan Collection 4.
As I went up through Edinburgh city,
Half-past twelve o'clock at night,
There I spied a Spanish lady
Dressing herself with candle light.
She had a basin full of water
And a towel into her hand.
Five gold rings on every finger,
Like an angel she did stand.
Oh she was a charming creature,
What she is I do not know.
But I'll go court her for her beauty,
Whether she be high or low.
“Madam, I am come to court you,
If your favour I could gain.
If you gently entertain me
Maybe I'll come back again.”
“Sit ye doon, ye're hearty welcome,
Whether ye come back or no.
All I want is a handsome young man
Whether he be high or low.”
“Madam, ye talk much of beauty,
That's a flower will soon decay.
The fairest flower in all the summer,
When winter comes it doth fade away.”