Young Johnny Scott- Kettner (OK-MO) 1929 Moores
[From the Moores, Ethel & Chauncey; Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest, Univ. of Okla, Bk (1964), p 77-79. Their notes follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
28 Johnie Scot
The Oklahoma text of Johnie Scot, (Child, No. 99) is complete in most details. In the British version, Johnie flees to Scotland instead of Ireland because the King's daughter "goes with child by him'" the King's champion is an Italian, whereas his nationality is not identified by the Oklahoma singer. The item of the King's sending for a clerk to write the torcher is omitted. The ballad is also found among the Bretons of France. Motherwell, II, 78-91, gives a fine text and extensive headnotes; he also gives a tune in II, 272. Other references are Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 223-24; Child, II, 377-98; Greig and Keith, T 4-7 5 ; Henry, 100; and Sharp, I, 215-18.
Young Johnny Scott, sung by Mrs. Belle Kettner of Park Hill, who moved to Oklahoma in 1929. Born in Montgomery county, Missouri, she learned her songs from her mother, who was also born in Missouri. Mrs. Kettner's maternal grandmother was born in England.
It was one of those summer days in Oklahoma when even a lizard should be reticent about venturing out into the heat. Both of us wished to find something in the area of the old Cherokee tribal mission, and the white bungalow nearest that historic spot looked inviting: on the porch sat a man and his wife. They were celebrating their wedding anniversary, and a large family of children and grandchildren was present. "No, no interference at all. This is a good day for Mommie to sing her songs," said the husband as he offered his seat in the porch swing next to his wife. An hour, two hours passed in visiting and song collecting. One more try for a new ballad, thought Ethel as she ran over the line "Young Johnny Scott's a-hunting gone," whereupon Mrs. Kettner picked up the next line and continued through all the stanzas' In the middle of the cotton field, in full view, stood a tall stone chimney, the only remains of a once proud mission. To mind came a story told by a Cherokee mother: on this very spot a chieftain stood at the end of the harrowing trek on the Trail of Tears. "Tahlequah" ("This will do"), said he as he laid his hand on the head of his small son, one of the few children who had survived the hardships of the long journey' "Tahlequah," said Ethel to me as she held in her hands the new-found ballad and turned to go, too full of emotion to express thanks for the fine hospitality shown us.
Young Johnny Scott- sung by Mrs. Belle Kettner of Park Hill, who moved to Oklahoma in 1929. Born in Montgomery county, Missouri, she learned her songs from her mother, who was also born in Missouri. Mrs. Kettner's maternal grandmother was born in England.
Young Johnny Scott's a-hunting gone
Into the woods so wild;
With the fairest young lady in old Ireland,
Johnny Scott fell in love.
He had unto the kitchens gone,
Likewise into the halls,
And the news unto her father will go;
That is the worst of all.
The King wrote a broad letter,
And sealed it with his ring,
And sent it unto Johnny Scott,
In old Ireland where he'd been.
When Johnny Scott saw this broad letter,
A sorry knight was he:
"For I must to old England go;
King Edward has sent for me."
Up spoke a proud young knight,
A worthy knight was he,
Saying, "Five hundred of my bravest men
Shall keep you company."
And when they were all saddled up,
Most beautiful to be seen,
There was not one married man
In Johnny Scott's company.
He rode till he came to the King's broad gate,
And his knock so loud did ring,
No one was as ready as King Edward himself
To rise and let him in.
"Are you the Duke of Cumberland
Or James the Scottish king?
Are you some valiant lord,
Who comes a-visiting?"
"I am not the Duke of Cumberland,
Nor James the Scottish king,
But I am a worthy knight;
John Scott is my name."
"ff your name be Johnny Scott,
Which I suppose it be,
Before eight o'clock tomorrow morning,
We'll hang you on yonder tree."
"O grant me a favor," young Johnny cried,
"Bring me a man to fight;
If he should fall beneath my sword,
I've won your daughter dear."
When in battle they began,
With swords of tempered steel,
They fought till blood like drops of rain
Came trickling down their heels.
He put his sword in his sheath
And laid it on the plain,
Saying, "Have you any more of your English dogs
You wish to have slain?"
Young Johnny being a brave young man,
Like an arrow he did flee;
With a point of his own broad sword,
He won his fair lady.
"A knight, a knight," the King cried,
"To set my daughter free."
"A priest, a priest," young Johnny cried,
"To wed my love and me."
He put his trumpet to his mouth
And blew it loud and shrill,
Saying, "The news unto old Ireland will go
In spite of the English will."