The Two Hearts- Geordie Robertson (Aber) 1954 REC
[My title, also named William and Nancy, usually regarded as a different song. From School of Scottish Studies; Track ID - 68916. Original Tape ID - SA1954.091. Born in 1871, Geordie was a singer and piper from New Deer, Aberdeenshire.
R. Matteson 2017]
The Two Hearts -sung by Geordie Robertson of Aberdeenshire in August, 1954, recorded by Hamish Henderson. Learned from his first wife, transcribed R. Matteson.
Early, early by the break of day,
Doon by yon green field I chanced to stray;
I spied a fair maid to sigh and say,
"The lad I love he's gone far away."
"And now he's left me to grief and woe,
And where to find him I do not know,
I'll search those green fields and valleys low,
[If the hills were covered] with frost and snow[1].
"There's one thing, one thing bestands my mind,
My lovely dear he's proved unkind.
And the word he was, know as true as me,
I wouldn't belong here in poverty.
"The laurel leaf it shall be my bed,
And the highest angel to guard my head
And there I'll lie till the break of day
And all around me the small birds play."
1. Geordie stumbles at the beginning of this line, I've filled it in from the broadside.