38. Geordie (Child 209)
For the question of the origin of this ballad and its currency, see Child's headnote and BSM 76, adding to the references there given North Carolina (FSRA 37), the Ozarks (OFS I 161-5), Indiana (SFLQ V 170-1), Illinois (JAFL LX 245-6), and Michigan (BSSM 317). Our collection has but one full text, and part of a text as sung by Miss Hattie McNeill of Ferguson, Wilkes county, probably in 1922.
No title given. Sent in by James York of Olin, Iredell county, in August 1939.
1 As I went over London's bridge
So early in the morning,
And there I spied a pretty fair maid
Lamenting over Georgia.
2 'Go bridle now my mild [1] white steed
And saddle him so gaily
That I may ride to Oxford court
And plead for the life of Georgia.'
3 When she arrived at Oxford court
So early in the morning,
And down upon her bended knees
A-pleading for the life of Georgia.
4 He has not robbed no king's highway
Nor took the life of any,
But he stold fifteen of the milk-white steeds
And conveyed them away to Ghelenay.[3]
5 The king looked over her shoulder
And looked as if he was sorry
And said: 'Kind miss, you've come too late,
For Georgia's condemned tomorrow.'
6 He walked the streets both up and down
And took the leave of many.
But he took the leave of his own true love,
Which hurt him the worst of any.
7 Georgia was hung with a white silken cord,
And hung where there were many,
Because he was of noble blood
And loved by the royal lady.
1. During a visit at their home, June 17, 1956, Mr. and Mrs. York asked the present editor to make the corrections in the text as given below:
1. As I crossed over London's bridge
So early in the morning,
'Twas there I spied a pretty fair maid
Lamenting o'er her lover.
3 When she got to the Oxford Court
So early in the morning.
And down upon her bended knees
She pled for the life of Georgie.
4 He has not robbed the king's highway
Nor took the life of any,
But he stold fifteen of the queen's best steeds
And conveyed them away to Ghelenay.
7 Georgie was hanged with a white silk cord
And hung where there were many.
Because he was of noble blood
And loved by the royal lady.
2. So in the typescript ; clearly a miswriting for "milk."
3. Just what country — if any — the singer had in mind is not apparent. Bohemia is the name used most often in other texts; Child G has Balleny.
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38. Geordie (Child 209) [Music from Vol. IV]
'Georgie.' Sung by Mrs. James York. No date or place given, but probably the same as next version. Mrs. York said that this was her mother's version, with the title 'Georgie.'[1]
For melodic relationship cf. *SharpK I 240, No. 34A, measures 1-2 and merely some points of melodic coincidence ; also SFSEA, 226, No. 229, measures 1-4.
Scale: Pentachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: a-flat. Structure: abb1c (2,2,2,2) = ab (4.4)- The varied use of tonal material of measures 1-2 in the last three measures is interesting.
38 (I) 'Geordie.' (2nd tune.) Sung by Mrs. James York. Recorded at Olin, Iredell county, August 14, 1939. This is given by the singer as Mrs. York's father's version. Dr. Brown says: "Mrs. York's 'Little Mohee' air." [1] In contrast to the second version by Miss Pearle Webb, 38(3) below, this can justifiably be called a second version.
2 The youngest judge well he spoke up,
Says Georgie, 'I'm sorry for you.
But unless you confess to what you've done
You'll be hung for murder.'
4 Oh judge, oh judge, I've killed a man
And also have robbed many.
I stole sixteen of the queen's best steeds
And sold them in the valley.
Refrain :
'My pretty Miss, you are too late,
For Georgie's trial's all over.
My pretty Miss, you are too late,
For Georgie's trial's all over,'
For melodic relationship cf. *SFSEA 226, No. 229, measures 1-2.
Scale : Hexachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: d. Structure: ababca1ca1 (2,2,2,2, 2,2,2,2) = aabb (4,4,4,4). Circular Tune (III).
38(2) 'Geordie.' Sung by Miss Pearle Webb. From the previous recording of Dr. W. A. Abrams at Boone, August 8, 1940. There is a resemblance with some 'Barbara Allen' versions.
Scale: Mode III, plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abac (2,2,2,2) 1= aa1 (4,4).
38(3) 'Geordie.' (2nd version) Sung by Miss Pearle Webb. From the previous recording of Dr. W. A. Abrams, Boone, August 8, 1940. If all the variations occurring in the six stanzas are considered, it will be found that only one measure of the first version, the seventh, does not occur in the second version. This takes somewhat away from the importance usually attached to a second version. There is, however, an interesting rhythmic shift in the fifth stanza as given for measures 6-7. The tune for the first stanza serves without change for the second and third.
Scale: Mode III, plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abab1 (2,2,2,2) = aa1 (4,4).
38(4) 'Georgie.' Sung by Miss Hattie McNeill. Recorded at Ferguson, Wilkes county, 1921. Another title given is 'I'd Fight for the Life of Georgie.' The MS score has no more of the text, and the words of the recording cannot be recovered.
Scale: Hexatonic (6), plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abcbi (2,2,3,3) = ab (4,6). The ending of both phrases is related.
Footnote:
1. On a recent visit to the home of Mr. and Mrs. York, the present editor was informed that this was not correct. The additional stanza was obtained at that time.