No. 293: John of Hazelgreen
[In 1816 Sir Walter Scott used the first stanza from a traditional version (Child Ea) of Hazelgreen for his popular poem (ballad recreation), Jock of Hazeldean. Scott set his poem in Northumberland on the estate of the Errington family around Langley Dale not far from Hexham near Hadrian's Wall. Remnants of his Hazel Dean still exist just to the north of the Wall next to Errington Hill Head (O.S. ref NY 959698) [ref. Steve Gardham]. Scott's ballad entered tradition and has been collected and I've included versions of it (four from the US) in this collection.
In the US versions of John o' Hazelgreen were not collected until 1914 and not published in a book until 1929. One area in Virginia became the repository for a specific version of this ballad. From this region the Virginia Folk-Lore Society, under the direction of C. Alphonso Smith (who died in 1924) and later John Stone and Kyle Davis Jr., collected eleven texts and three melodies (Sharp collected two in 1918, one in a MS; Scarborough- two; Davis again in More Ballads- one; Karpeles/Cowell one; Wilkinson- three; and Foss- three). At the time their book, Traditional Ballads was being completed (c.1928) there were no other versions of John of Hazelgreen collected in the US. That would change as Phillips Barry published a version from Maine in 1929.
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
CONTENTS:
1. Child's Narrative
2. Footnotes (There are no footnotes for this ballad)
3. Brief (Kittredge)
4. Child's Ballad Texts A-E (Changes for D b and E b are found in End-Notes)
5. End-Notes
ATTACHED PAGES (see left hand column):
1. Recordings & Info: 293. John of Hazelgreen
A. Roud No. 250: John of Hazelgreen (81 Listings)
2. Sheet Music: 293. John of Hazelgreen (Bronson's music examples and texts)
3. English and Other Versions (Including Child version A-F)
4. US & Canada Versions
Child's Narrative: 293. John of Hazelgreen
A. Elizabeth Cochrane's Manuscript, p. 126.
B. 'Jock o Hazelgreen,' Kinloch Manuscripts, VII, 135; Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 206.
C. 'John o Hazelgreen,' Kinloch Manuscripts, I, 319.
D. a. 'John o Hazelgreen,' Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 253.
b. 'Jock of Hazelgreen,' Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 319.
E. a. Fragmentary verses obtained by Mr. Pringle, Kinloch Manuscripts, I, 321.
b. Kinloch Manuscripts, VH, 2, one stanza.
A is found, with the doubtless accidental variation of three words, in a folio volume at Abbotsford labelled Miscellanies, article 43, having been transcribed by C. K. Sharpe for Sir W. Scott "from a 4to Manuscript, in a female hand, written probably about one hundred years ago, sold at one Inglis's roup at the West Port, Edinburgh, now in the possession of David Laing" (that is, Elizabeth Cochrane's Manuscript). D b was compounded from D a and B, "omitting," says Chambers, "many of the coarser stanzas of both, and improving a few by collation with a third version which I took down from recitation, and another which has been shown to me in manuscript by Mr. Kinloch" (C). D b is, after all, mainly D a with omissions; the improvements from the recited copy (or the variations from Buchan and Kinloch) are not remarkable in amount or quality. B is given on Kinloch's authority. Alexander Campbell, when on a tour on the borders of Scotland to collect Scottish airs, is said to have received the first stanza from Mr. Thomas Pringle, who derived it from his mother's singing. (Chappell, Popular Music, p. 575.) Upon this traditional stanza was built Scott's 'Jock of Hazeldean,' first printed in Campbell's Albyn's Anthology, I, 18, 1816.
A. A gentleman overhears a damsel making a moan for Sir John of Hazelgreen. After some compliment on his part, and some slight information on hers, he tells her that Hazelgreen is married; then there is nothing for her to do, she says, but to hold her peace and die for him. The gentleman proposes that she shall let Hazelgreen go, marry his eldest son, and be made a gay lady; she is too mean a maid for that, and, anyway, had rather die for the object of her affection. Still she allows the gentleman to take her up behind him on his horse, and to buy clothes for her at Biggar, though all the time dropping tears for Hazelgreen. After the shopping they mount again, and at last they come to the gentleman's place, when the son runs out to welcome his father. The son is young Hazelgreen, who takes the maid in his arms and kisses off the still-falling tears. The father declares that the two shall be married the next day, and the young man have the family lands.
The other versions have the same story, but the clothes are bought at Edinburgh, and the Hazelgreen estate seems to be in the neighborhood.
In a preface to C, Kinloch, following either D 5 or some foolish popular gloss, remarks that the lady is presumed to have seen young Hazelgreen only in a dream, which left so deep an impression on her mind as to cause her to fall in love with his image. To improve upon this, D 15 makes the young man also to have seen the maid in a dream.
Child's Ballad Texts
'Sir John of Hasillgreen'- Version A; Child 293 John of Hazelgreen
Elizabeth Cochrane's Manuscript, p. 126.
1 Into a sweet May morning,
As the sun clearly shone,
I heard a propper damsell
Making a heavy moan;
Making a heavy moan,
I marvelled what she did mean,
And it was for a gentleman,
Sir John of Hasillgreen.
2 'What aileth thee now, bony maid
To mourn so sore into the tide?
O happy were the man,' he sayes,
'That had thee to his bride,
To ly down by his side;
Then he were not to mean;'
But still she let the tears down fall
For pleasant Hasilgreen.
3 'Oh what for a man is Hasillgreen?
Sweet heart, pray tell to me.'
'He is a propper gentleman,
Dwels in the South Countrie;
With shoulders broad and arms long,
And comely to be seen;
His hairs are like the threeds of gold,
My pleasant Hasilgreen.'
4 'Now Hasilgreen is married,
Let all this talking be.'
'If Hasilgreen be married,
This day then woe to me;
For I may sigh and sob no more,
But close my weeping een,
And hold my peace and cry no more,
But dy for Hasilgreen.'
5 'Will you let Hasilgreen alone,
And go along with me?
I'll marry you on my eldest son,
Make you a gay lady.'
'Make me a gay lady?' she sayes,
'I am a maid too mean;
I'll rather stay at home,' she cries,
'And dy for Hasilgreen.'
6 He takes this pretty maid him behind
And fast he spurred the horse,
And they're away to Bigger toun,
The in to Biggar Cross.
Their lodging was far sought,
And so was it foreseen;
But still she let the tears doun fall
For pleasant Hasillgreen.
7 He's ta'en this pretty maid by the hand,
And he is doun the toun;
He bought for her a pettycoat,
Yea, and a trailing goun;
A silken kell fitt for her head,
Laid oer with silver sheen;
But still she let the tears doun fall
For pleasant Hasilgreen.
8 He's taen this bony mey him behind,
And he is to the Place,
Where there was mirth and merryness,
And ladyes fair of face;
And ladyes fair of face,
Right seemly to be seen,
But still she let the tears doun fall
For pleasant Hasilgreen.
9 Young Hasilgreen ran hastilie
To welcome his father dear;
He's ta'en that pretty maid in his arms,
And kist off her falling tear:
'O bony mey, now for thy sake
I would be rent and rien;
I would give all my father's lands
To have thee in Hasilgreen.'
10 'O hold your tongue now, son,' he sayes,
'Let no more talking be;
This maid has come right far from home
This day to visit thee.
This day should been your wedding-day,
It shall be thy bridall-een,
And thou 's get all thy father's lands,
And dwell in Hasillgreen.'
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'Jock o Hazelgreen'- Version B; Child 293 John of Hazelgreen
Kinloch's Manuscripts, VII, 135; from the recitation of Jenny Watson, Lanark, 24 April, 1826.
1 It was on a morning early,
Before day-licht did appear,
I heard a pretty damsel
Making a heavy bier;
Making a heavy bier,
I wonderd what she did mean;
But ay the tears they rappit doun,
Crying, O Jock o Hazelgreen!
2 'O whare is this Hazelgreen, maid?
That I may him see.'
'He is a ticht and a proper man,
Lives in the South Cuntree.
His shoulders broad, his arms lang,
O he's comely to be seen!' —
But ay the tears they drappit doun
For Jock o Hazelgreen.
3 'Will ye gang wi me, fair maid?
. . . . . . .
And I'll marry ye on my son,'
. . . . . . .
'Afore I'd go along wi you,
To be married on your son,
I'd rather choose to stay at hame,
And die for Hazelgreen.'
4 But he has tane her up behind,
And spurred on his horse,
Till ance he cam to Embro toun,
And lichted at the corss.
He bought to her a petticoat,
Besides a handsome goun;
He tied a silver belt about her waist,
Worth thrice three hunder pund.
5 And whan he cam to Hazelyetts,
He lichted doun therein;
Monie war the brave ladies there,
Monie ane to be seen.
She lichted doun amang them aw,
She seemed to be the queen;
But ay the tears they rappit doun
For Jock o Hazelgreen.
6 Young Hazelgreen took her by the hand
And led her out and in:
Said, Bonnie lady, for your sake,
I could be baith rent and rien;
I wad gie aw my lands and rents,
Tho I had kingdoms three,
If I could hae the great pleasure
To enjoy thy fair bodie.
7 'No more of this,' his father said,
'Of your mourning let abee;
I brought the damsel far frae hame,
She's thrice as wae for thee.
The morn is your bridal-day,
The nicht is your bridal-een,
And I'll gie you aw my lands and rents,
My pleasing son, Hazelgreen.'
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'John o Hazelgreen'- Version C; Child 293 John of Hazelgreen
Kinloch Manuscripts, I, 319.
1 As I gaed out in a may morning,
Afore that I could see,
And there I heard a pretty fair may
Making sweet melodie.
She was making sic melodie,
I wonderd what she could mean;
But ay she sang and sang about
Sweet John o Hazelgreen.
2 'O what na man is Hazelgreen?
Fair may, pray tell to me.'
'He is a stout and a tall young man
As in a' the South Countrie.
He is a stout and a tall young man,
And comely to be seen;
But still O I maun weep and wail
For John o Hazelgreen.'
3 'Hold your tongue, fair maid,' he says,
'And let your weeping alane;
I'll marry you to my eldest son,
And you shall be ca'd my dame.'
4 He has tane her on ahint him,
And fast he spurred the steed;
For Edinbro town he there was bound,
Where they soon came wi speed.
7 He's tane her to the Luckenbooths,
Coft her a braw new gown,
A handsome feather for her hat,
And a pair o silken shoon.
8 He has tane the fair may up again,
And fast awa rode he;
For Hazelgreen now he was bound,
Her lodging there to be.
9 She jumped aff frae ahint him,
As fair as any queen;
'Come down, come down, Lord John,' he says,
'And welcome your lady hame.
10 'It is the tall and comely youth,
Sweet John o Hazelgreen;
If we canna see it bridal-day,
It shall be bridal-een'
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'John o Hazelgreen'- Version D; Child 293 John of Hazelgreen
a. Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 253.
b. Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 319.
1 As I went forth to take the air
Intill an evening clear,
And there I spied a lady fair,
Making a heavy bier;
Making a heavy bier, I say,
But and a piteous meen,
And aye she sighd, and said, Alas,
For John o Hazelgreen!
2 The sun was sinking in the west,
The stars were shining clear,
When thro the thickets o the wood,
A gentleman did appear.
Says, Who has done you the wrong, fair maid,
And left you here alane?
Or who has kissd your lovely lips,
That ye ca Hazelgreen?
3 'Hold your tongue, kind sir,' she said,
'And do not banter so;
How will ye add affliction
Unto a lover's woe?
For none's done me the wrong,' she said,
'Nor left me here alane;
Nor none has kissd my lovely lips,
That I ca Hazelgreen.'
4 'Why weep ye by the tide, lady?
Why weep ye by the tide?
How blythe and happy might he be
Gets you to be his bride!
Gets you to be his bride, fair maid,
And him I'll no bemean;
But when I take my words again,
Whom call ye Hazelgreen?
5 'What like a man was Hazelgreen?
Will ye show him to me?'
'He is a comely, proper youth
I in my sleep did see;
Wi arms tall, and fingers small,
He's comely to be seen;'
And aye she loot the tears down fall
For John o Hazelgreen.
6 'If ye'll forsake young Hazelgreen,
And go along with me,
I'll wed you to my eldest son,
Make you a lady free.'
'It's for to wed your eldest son
I am a maid oer mean;
I'll rather stay at home,' she says
'And die for Hazelgreen.'
7 'If ye'll forsake young Hazelgreen,
And go along with me,
I'll wed you to my second son,
And your weight o gowd I'll gie.'
'It's for to wed your second son
I am a maid oer mean;
I'll rather stay at home,' she says,
'And die for Hazelgreen.'
8 Then he's taen out a siller comb,
Combd down her yellow hair;
And look d in a diamond bright,
To see if she were fair.
'My girl, ye do all maids surpass
That ever I have seen;
Cheer up your heart, my lovely lass,
And hate young Hazelgreen.'
9 'Young Hazelgreen he is my love,
And ever mair shall be;
I'll nae forsake young Hazelgreen
For a' the gowd ye'll gie.'
But aye she sighd, and said, Alas!
And made a piteous meen,
And aye she loot the tears down fa
For John o Hazelgreen.
10 He look d high, and lighted low,
Set her upon his horse;
And they rode on the Edinburgh,
To Edinburgh's own cross.
And when she in that city was,
She lookd like ony queen:
''Tis a pity such a lovely lass
Shoud love young Hazelgreen.'
11 'Young Hazelgreen, he is my love,
And ever mair shall be;
I'll nae forsake young Hazelgreen
For a' the gowd ye'll gie.'
And aye she sighd, and said, Alas!
And made a piteous meen,
And aye she loot the tears down fa
For John o Hazelgreen.
12 'Now hold your tongue, my well-fard maid,
Lat a' your mourning be,
And a' endeavours I shall try
To bring that youth to thee,
If ye'll tell me where your love stays,
His stile and proper name.'
'He's laird o Taperbank,' she says,
'His stile, Young Hazelgreen.'
13 Then he has coft for that lady
A fine silk riding-gown,
Likewise he coft for that lady
A steed, and set her on;
Wi menji feathers in her hat,
Silk stockings and siller sheen,
And they are on to Taperbank,
Seeking young Hazelgreen.
14 They nimbly rode along the way,
And gently spurrd their horse,
Till they rode on to Hazelgreen,
To Hazelgreen's own close.
Then forth he came, young Hazelgreen,
To welcome his father free:
'You're welcome here, my father dear,
And a' your companie.'
15 But when he lookd oer his shoulder,
A light laugh then gae he;
Says, If I getna this lady,
It's for her I must die.
I must confess this is the maid
I ance saw in a dream,
A walking thro a pleasant shade,
As fair's a cypress queen.
16 'Now hold your tongue, young Hazelgreen,
Lat a' your folly be;
If ye be wae for that lady,
She's thrice as wae for thee.
She's thrice as wae for thee, my son,
As bitter doth complain;
Well is she worthy o the rigs
That lie on Hazelgreen.'
17 He's taen her in his arms twa,
Led her thro bower and ha:
'Cheer up your heart, my dearest dear,
Ye're flower out-oer them a'.
This night shall be our wedding-een,
The morn we'll say, Amen;
Ye'se never mair hae cause to mourn,
Ye're lady o Hazelgreen.'
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'John o Hazelgreen'- Version E; Child 293 John of Hazelgreen
a. "Got in the South County by Mr. Pringle: "Kinloch's Manuscripts, I, 321.
b. Kinloch's Manuscripts, VII, 2.
1 'Why weep ye by the tide, ladye?
Why weep ye by the tide?
I'll wed ye to my youngest son,
And ye sall be his bride.
And ye sall be his bride, ladye,
Sae comely to be seen;'
But aye she loot the tears down fa
For John o Hazelgreen.
2 'O whaten a man is Hazelgreen?
I pray thee tell to me.'
'O there's not a handsomer gentleman
In a' the South Countrie.
His arms are long, his shoulder broad,
Sae comely to be seen!'
And aye she loot the tears down fa
For John o Hazelgreen.
End-Notes
A. 16. she meant.
Sharpe's transcript reads:
11. In for Into.
52. come for go.
86. Most for Right.
B. 52. thereat; changed to therein in printing.
The line is run through in pencil.
64. raving. Cf. A 96.
Kinloch made some changes in printing.
C. Written throughout in stanzas of four verses.
D. b. Since Chambers in some measure adjusted phraseology with a view to "literary" effect, it is impossible to make out which of the variations in his ballad came from the copy which he took down from recitation. Upon extracting all his variations, they have not turned out to be important. A few, which seem the most likely to have belonged to his recited copy, are subjoined.
13. I spied a lady in a wood.
24. An auld knicht.
73,5. youngest for second.
105-8. And he has coft her silken claes
Garred her look like a queen:
'Ye surely now will sick nae mair
For Jock o Hazelgreen.'
137. And they have ridden far athort.
After 15.
For her sake I did vow a vow
I neer should wed but she;
Should this fair lady cruel prove,
I'll lay me doun and dee.
163,4,5. sick for wae.
167,8. And a' she wants to heal her woe
Is Jock o Hazelgreen.
174. Ye're lady ower.
E. b. 2 'What like a man is Haselgreen?
Lady, tell to me.'
'He's a handsome, proper youth
As ever my eyes did see.
With shoulders broad and arms long,
Most comely to be seen;'
And still she lout the tears doun fa
For Jock of Haselgreen.