Child of Elle- Bell Robertson (Aber) 1909 Greig
[From an article in Folk-Song of the North East (c.1910) by Gavin Greig of New Deer, first part of Bell Robertson's recitation of "Child of Elle" originally by Percy based on his 1753 MS.
R. Matteson 2018]
Child of Elle- Bell Robertson of New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, collected 1910.
1. On yonder hill a castle stands,
With walls and towers bedight,
And there does dwell the Child of Elle,
A young and comely knight.
2. The Child of Elle to his garden went,
Stood at his garden pale,
When, lo, he saw fair Emmeline's page
Come tripping down the dale.
3. The Childe of Elle he hied him hence,
I wot he stood na still,
And soon he met fair Emmeline's page
Came climbing up the hill.
4. Now safe thee, safe thee, little foot-page,
And come thou safe and free!
Pray tell me how is thy lady gay,
And what may thy tidings be?
5. My lady she is woe begone,
The tears fa' frae her e'en;
And aye she laments the deadly feud
Between her house and thine.
6. And here she sends thee a silken scarf
Bedewed with mony a tear,
And bides thee sometimes think on her,
Who loved thee so dear.
7. And here she sends thee a gay gold ring,
The last boon thou must have,
And bids thee wear it for her sake,
When she is in her grave.
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