June Tabor – Geordie lyrics

There was a battle in the north
And nobles there were many
And they have killed Sir Charlie Hay
And laid the blame on Geordie

O he has written a long letter
And sent it to his lady:
You must come up to Edinburgh town
To see what news of Geordieќ

When first she looked the letter on
She was both red and rosy
She had not read a word but two
When she grew pale as the lily

Go fetch to me my good grey steed
My men shall all go with me
For I shall neither eat nor drink
Till Edinburgh town shall see me

Then she has mounted her good grey steed
Her men they all went with her
And she did neither eat nor drink
Till Edinburgh town did see her

And first appeared the fatal block
And then the axe to head him
And Geordie coming down the stair
With bands of iron upon him

Though he was chained in fetters strong
Of iron and steel so heavy
O not a one in all the court
Was so fine a man as Geordie

O she'd down on her bended knee

I'm sure she's pale and weary
O pardon, pardon noble kings,
And give me back my dearie

Go tell the heading man make hasteв
Our king replies full lordly
O noble king take all that's mine
But give me back my Geordie

The Gordons came and the Gordons ran
And they were stark and steady
And ay the word among them all
Was Gordons keep you ready

An aged lord at the king's right hand
Says Noble kings, but hear me,
Let her count out five thousand pounds
And give her back her dearie

Some gave her marks, some gave her crowns
Some gave her dollars many
She's counted out five thousand pounds
And she's gotten again her dearie.

She glanced blithe in her Geordie's face
Say Dear I've bought thee Geordie;
But the blood would have flowed upon the green
Before I lost my laddie

He clasped her by the middle small
And he kissed her lips so rosy
The fairest flower of women kind
Is my sweet bonny lady