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Geordie

from Mind the Gap by Rebsie Fairholm

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about

I first came across this song in The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs when I was a child, although this is only one of a great many different versions. I love the defiant final verse, which is missing from some versions.

The death penalty may seem a bit extreme for livestock theft, but for many centuries in England that was the norm. Particularly wild deer, as they were the property of the king, and an offence against the king was high treason. These days you'd probably get away with a thirty quid fine and probation.

lyrics

As I went over London Bridge
One misty morning early
I overheard a fair pretty maid
Lamenting for her Geordie

Come bridle me my milk white horse
Come bridle me my pony
That I may ride to London's court
To plead for the life of Geordie

And when she entered in the hall
There was lords and ladies plenty
Down on her bended knees she fell
To plead for the life of Geordie

Oh Geordie stole no cow nor calf
Nor sheep he never stole any
But he stole sixteen of the king's wild deer
And sold them in Bohenny

The judge looked over his left shoulder
And said I'm sorry for thee
My fair pretty maid, you've come too late
For he's condemned already

Let Geordie hang in golden chains
Such chains as never was any
Because he came of the royal blood
And courted a virtuous lady

I wish I was in yonder grove
Where times I have been many
With my broad sword and pistol too
I'd fight for the life of Geordie

credits

from Mind the Gap, released July 1, 2007
(traditional, arranged by Rebsie Fairholm, Steve Lang and Martyn Kember-Smith)

Rebsie: vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar
Steve Lang: electric guitar, 6-string acoustic guitar
Martyn Kember-Smith: electric fiddle

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about

Rebsie Fairholm Cheltenham, UK

Haunting psych-folk inspired by the English landscape and the spirits of the ancestors. I play 12-string guitar, harp, piano, cornamuse, whistle and whatever else comes to hand. Now working full time with Marvin B Naylor.

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