The Banks of Fordie

On Autumn Harvest AH 004
Old Songs & Bothy Ballads - Some Rants o Fun

Anita Best sings:

This ancient ballad continues to turn up in the living tradition both in Scotland and North America - and here is a version from Newfoundlkand. Three sisters out walking meet with a man, a robber, who asks them one at a time to be his wife. The first two refuse and he kills them. The third tells him that she has a brother in the woods and that he will take revenge if she suffers any harm. The man asks what her brothers do and what are their names. He then realises that he is one of her brothers and that he has just killed two of his sisters.

1: Three young maids went out for a walk
All alee an a liney O
They met a young man on the path
By the bonnie bonnie banks o Fordie O.

2: He took the first one by the hand,
He turned around and he made her stand.

3: “Will you be a robber’s wife,
Or will you die by my penknife?”

4: “I will not be a robber’s wife,
I’d sooner die by your penknife.”

5: Then he’s taen out his wee penknife,
And there he’s twined her of her life.

6: Then he’s taen the second one by the hand,
He’s turned her round and he’s made her stand.

7: “And will you be a robber’s wife,
Or will you die by my penknife?”

8: “I will not be a robber’s wife,
I’d sooner die by your penknife.”

9: He’s taken out his wee penknife,
And there he’s twined her of her life.

10: Then he’s taen the third one by the hand,
He’s turned her round and he’s made her stand.

11: “Will you be a robber’s wife,
Or will you die by my penknife?”

12: “I will not be a robber’s wife,
And neither die by your penknife.”

13: “For I have a brother in yon tree,
And if you kill me tis he’ll kill thee.”

14: “Tell to me your brother’s name,
My brother’s name is Baby Lon.”

15: “O dear God, what have I done,
I’ve killed my sisters all but one.”

16: He’s taken out his wee penknife,
All alee an a liney O
And there he’s taken his own life.
On the bonnie bonnie banks o Fordie O.

c p 2007 Autumn Harvest AH004
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