Butcher Boy- Jean Stewart (Aber) 1960 Goldstein
[Two stanzas from Jean were recorded plus rest of version is from her daughter as learned from Jean. From Edinburgh; School of Scottish Studies. SA1960.145.B13
Listen: http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/play/55608;jsessionid=188816C257A0E249BBC41B53806EFCD5
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/55608/1
R. Matteson 2016]
The Butcher Boy-- sung by Jean Stewart of Fetterangus, Aberdeenshire (b. 1912 in Crichie), mother of Elizabeth Stewart (last stanzas are by her) recorded by Prof. Kenneth Goldstein in 1960.
My parents they gave me good learning,
Good learning they gave to me,
O they sent me to a butcher's shop
A butcher boy to be.
I fell in love with a nice young girl,
She'd a dark and the rolling eye,
I promised for to marry her,
One night with me she'd lie.
He courted her for many a month[1]
Six long months and mair
But another ain had ta'en his ee
And he was to despair.
For Mary Ann was wi' bairn to him
O Willie fit will I dee
For my bairn will soon be born,
So Willie marry me!
He went up to her parents' house
Twixt the hours of eight or nine
He asked her for to take a walk
Down by the riverside
They walked east and the walked west
And they walked all around
Till he took a knife from out his breast
And he stabbed her to the ground
She fell upon her bended knee
And for mercy she did cry
O Willie dear don't murder me
And leave me here to die
He took her by her milk white hand
And he dragged her on and on
until he came to a rushing stream,
and he plunged her body in.
O he went on to his mother's house,
'Tween the hours of twelve and one
'Tis little did his mother think
What her only son had done.
Well the answer she did put to him,
Why the bloodstains on your clothes
The answer that he give to her
'Twas from a bleeding nose
He asked her for a candle
For to light him up to bed
And likewise for a handkerchief
For to tie around his head.
No peace nor rest could the young man take
No peace nor rest could he find
For he thought he saw the flames of hell
Approachin' in his mind.
This man he has been taen and tried
And the gallows was his doom,
For the murdering of sweet Mary Ann
Afore that was in bloom.
1. last stanzas are from her daughter Elizabeth