2: The False Knight upon the Road
Versions from the Singing Tradition
1: The False Knight upon the Road
As sung by Belle Stewart, New Alyth, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
2: The False Knight upon the Road
As recited by Duncan Johnstone, Birnam, Dunkeld
3: The Dark Knight upon the Road
As sung by Martha (Peasie) Reid, Birnam, Dunkeld
4: The Dark Knight upon the Road
As sung by Ted Fury of Dublin in St Andrews, Fife
5: The Fause Knight on the Road
As sung by Danny Couper of Aberdeen at FifeSing2016
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Recited (not sung) by Duncan Johnstone, Torwood, Birnam, Perthshire. Recorded by Peter and Lena Shepheard during a visit made to Torwood 30 June 1967 [Spr 67.4.9 and Spr 67.5.30]. Duncan recited the following lines after his wife Martha (Peasie Reid) had sung the opening couple of verses of her version [Version 3 here].
'It's ma bannocks an ma books,'
Said the wee boy an still he stood.
'Wha's aa thae kye oot there?'
Said the false knight upon the road;
'It's ma father an masel,'
Said the wee boy an still he stood.
'Will you give me one?'
Says the false knight upon the road;
'I daur say 'deil a one','
Says the wee boy an' still he stood.'
During a later visit on 15 September 1967 Duncan recited the following, more completete text.
'What's upon your back?'
Says the false knight upon the road,
'Ma bannock an ma books,'
Says the wee boy an still he stood.
'Will ye gie me a share?'
Says the false knight upon the road.
'I daur say 'deil a share','
Says the wee boy an still he stood.
'Wha's aa thae sheep oot there?'
Says the wee boy upon the road.
'Ma father and masel,'
Says the wee boy an still he stood.
'Will ye gie me one?'
Says the false knight upon the road.
'I daur sae 'deil a one','
Says the wee boy an still he stood.
Duncan knew nothing about 'going to the school' or any other verses. Duncan could not be persuaded to distinguish the individual meaning of the words: 'I (or O) dar sae deil a one' or 'I daur say deil a one' except to say that the line meant: 'You can't have it', and 'deil' was the devil ? the false or dark knight. I think the line is: 'I daur say 'deil a one',' that is, 'I dare say 'never a one'.' The piece was always spoken (?), a recitation, and was not sung by his father.
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