The Plundering of Arley- Gott (MS) 1924 Barry B
[From British Ballads from Maine, Barry, Eckstorn and Smyth, 1929. Barry's notes follow. The Wars of the Roses reference is obviously incorrect and not normally part of this ballad which dates back to c.1640.
An inferior 3 stanza version was collected by Olney from Gott's daughter or niece.
R. Matteson 2015]
THE BONNIE HOUSE OF AIRLIE
(Child 199)
This text, obviously traditional, does not agree closely with any of Child's. The reference to the Wars of the Roses is unique: stanza 3 is nearest to Child B 4, Cox 4 (Folk-Songs of the South, p. 128); stanzas 5, 6, correspond to Child C 5, 6, Cox 7, 8.
B. "The Plundering of Arley." Sent in 1924, by Capt. Lewis Freeman Gott of Bernard.
1 It was in the Wars of the Roses white and red,
And in the days of Prince Charley;
Argyle drew up with his ten thousand strong
Before the courts of Arley.
2 A maiden fair from a window high
Looked down to him quite surley,
She wished for her Knight with his soldiers strong
To defend the courts of Arley.
3 "Come down to me, my fair young maid,
Come down and kiss me fairly,
As I vow and f swear by the broad sword I wear
I will not leave a standing stone in Arley."
4 "I will not come down, young man," said she,
"I will not come down to you from Arley,
I will not come down, young man," said she,
"And I will not kiss you squarely."
5 "But there's one thing I would ask of you,
And I hope you will grant it fairly,
It is, take me down to the low green valley low,
That I may [not] see the plundering of Arley."
6 He took me by my left shoulder,
He turned me round quite squarely,
He carried me up to the highest mountain top,
Saying, "Look well upon the plundering of Arley."
7 "If my brave Knight had been at home,
Instead of in the wars with Prince Charley,
Then you with all your ten thousand strong
Would never had the plundering of Arley."