Binnorie- Mrs. Goodall (Aber) c.1907 Greig E
[From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, version E. This is associated with the standard Scottish text, Child M from Aberdeenshire.
R. Matteson 2018]
"Binnorie" sung by Mrs. Goodall (formerly Miss Jessie H. Macdonald) of Alford, Aberdeenshire, c. 1907, collected by Duncan. Wife of farmer of Carnaveron.
1. There was two sisters lived in yonder toon,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
A bonny miller laddie cam' a-courtin' o them,
He was the bonny miller laddie o Binnorie O.
2. He courted the eldest wi' mony a gowd ring,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
But he courted the youngest wi' a far better things,
She was the bonny miller's lassie o Binnorie O.
3. "O sister, O sister let's go to the broom,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
We'll hear the bonny blackbirds whistlin' ower their tune,
An' we'll maybe see the bonny miller o' Binnorie O.
4. They walk-ed up and so did they doon,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
They herd the blackbirds whistlin ower their tune,
But they didna see the miller o Binnorie O.
5 They walk-ed east and so did they west,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
The eldest dang the youngest into the dam,
Into the dams o Binnorie O.
6. "O sister, O sister, give me your han',
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
I'll give ye my yellow gowd and and also my lan',
But nae the bonnie miller laddie o Binnorie O."
7. "It wasna for your yellow gowd that I dang you in,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
But because ye're so very white, love, and I'm so very din,
And ye're the miller's bonnie lassie o Binnorie O."
8. The millert's servant lass she cam doon to the dam,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
She saw a new droont leddy or a milk-white swan,
Floating up and doon the dams o Binnorie O.
9. Oh miller, oh miller, there's fish in your dam,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
Or else a new droont leddy or a milk-white swan,
Floating up and doon the dams o Binnorie O.
10. The miller an his men cam oot to his dam,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
They saw a new droont leddy nae a milk-white swan,
Floating up and doon the dams o Binnorie O.
11. There were people flocked to see her dragged oot,
Binnorie O and Binnorie O,
But more people flocked to see her green grave dug,
She was the miller's bonny lassie o Binnorie O.