Bonnie George Campbell- Hurst's (KY) 1960 REC Thomas
[Whether this is traditional or not is, at this juncture, impossible to tell. It is possible that it is traditional (more likley an arrangement of standard lyrics provided by Thomas) and that the melody is a new melody.
Sung by Margaret Caudill Hurst and Carolyn Margaret Hurst on Folkways at the American Folk Song Festival held by Jean Thomas, the Traipsin' Woman, 1960.
Liner notes: Bonnie George Campbell sung by Margaret Caudill Hurst and daughter Carolyn Margaret Hurst who plays flute betveen the verses. The ballad dates back to the ancient feud among Highlanders and Lowlanders of Scotland - the Campbells and MacGregors. The singers are descendants of Mary Queen of Scots and Year the royal Stuart plaid.
R. Matteson 2013]
Bonnie George Campbell- Hurst's (KY) 1960 REC Thomas
[Listen: Margaret and Carolyn Hurst]
[flute intro]
1. High upon Highland and low upon Tay,
Bonnie George Campbell rode out on a day.
2. Saddled and bridled, and gallant rode he,
A plume in his helmet, a sword at his knee.
3. Out came his old mother, a-weeping full sore,
Out came his bonny bride, tearing her hair.
4. Saddled and bridled, and booted [1] rode he,
Home came his good horse, but never came he.
5. [with flute] My meadow lies green and my corn is unshorn,
My barn is to build, and my baby's unborn.
6. Empty home came his saddle, all bloody to see,
Home came his good horse, but never came he.
1. Barry's A version by McGill had "bitted"; Lunsford has "booted."