Child's, The English And Scottish Ballads

Volume 4 of 8 from 1860 edition -online book

Home Main Menu Singing & Playing Order & Order Info Support Search Voucher Codes




Share page  Visit Us On FB



Previous Contents Next
/
THE RARE BALLAD OF JOHNNIE FAA AND THE COUNTESS 0' CASSILIS. See p. 114.
From Sheldon's Minstrelsy of the English Border, p. 329. The editor (or author, as he styles himself, indifferently) of that audacious work, asserts that he has " heard this ballad sung repeatedly by Willie Faa," and has " endeavored to preserve as much of his verĀ­sion as recollection would allow."
There were seven Gipsie.s in a gang, They were both brisk and bonny O,
They rode till they came to the Earl of Castle's house, And there they sung so sweetly O.
The Earl of Castle's lady came down,                   s
With her waiting maid beside her O ;
As soon as her handsome face they saw, They cast the glamour o'er her O.
They gave to her a nutmeg brown,
Which was of the belinger O ;                           w
She gave to them a far better thing,
The ring from off her finger O.
The Earl he flang his purse to them, For wow ! but they sung bonny O ;