Flooer of Northumberland- Lizzie Higgins (Aber) 1985
[From School of Scottish Studies, recording SA1986.110. Also Lizzie Higgins sang Flower of Northumberland on an digital download bonus track of her 1985 Lismor album, What a Voice. Lizzie Higgins was an Aberdeenshire ballad singer. Born Elizabeth Ann Higgins in Guest Row, Aberdeen, she was the daughter of settled Travellers the piper Donty Higgins and the singer Jeannie Robertson.
R. Matteson 2018]
Followed by explanation of the ballad. Lizzie Higgins sang the song to her mother as she was dying.
Summary - Ballad in which a young woman is duped into helping a Scots prisoner escape from jail in Northumberland. He promises to marry her when they get to Scotland, but instead he abandons her. On returning home, her mother tells her she is not the first to be beguiled in such a manner.
Flooer o Northumberland - sung by Lizzy Higgins(1929-1993) of Aberdeenshire in August, 1986. Recorded by John D. Niles. Quick transcription 5th stanza, 3rd line is unclear. CF Annie Shirer's version
1. A provost's dear dochter was walking alane,
Oh but her love it was easily won,
When she saw a Scots pris'ner a-makin' his mean (moan);
And she was the Flooer o Northumberland."
2. "Oh, gin a lassie wid marry me,
Oh gin her love it was easily won,
I wid mak her a lady o' high degree,
If she'd loose me oot o this prison sae strong."
3. She went intae her father's bedstock,
Oh but her love it was easily won,
She's stolen the keys o'er many a great lock,
And she's loosed him oot o the prison sae strong.
4. She went intae her father's stable,
Oh but her love it was easy won,
She's stolen a steed that was baith fleet and able,
Tae leads them on tae bonny Scotland.
5. As they were ridin' across the Scotch moor,
Oh but her love it was easily won,
Get doon frae my horse, [I can have you no more],
And she be the flooer o Northumberland.
6. For I hae a wife in my ain countree,
Oh but your love it was easily won,
An' I canna dee naething wi' a lassie like thee,
You'll need tae gang home to Northumberland."
7. "A cook in your kitchen I swear will be,
Although my love it was easily won,
For I can wait on him in my ain countree,
For I canna gang back to Northumberland."
8. "It's cook in my kitchen ye can ne'er be,
Oh but your love it was easily won,
For my lady she wouldna hae servants like thee,
So ye'll need to gang hame tae Northumberland."
9. When she cam hame, her father did say,
"Oh but your love it was easily won,
Ye've gang with a Scotsman, and you're barely sixteen,
And ye were the flower o' Northumberland."
10. When she cam hame her mother did say,
Oh but your love it was easily won,
But you're nae the first that the Scots hae beguiled."
And ye're welcome back to Northumberland.
11. "Ye widnae wint bried(bread) and ye widnae wint wine,
Although' your love it was easily won,
And ye widna wint silver to buy a man wi',
And you're aye the Flooer o' Northumberland.