“The Fair Flower of Northumberland” Sheet Music (pdf).
“The Fair Flower of Northumberland” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Performer: Alistair Hulett.
Lyrics: Traditional.
Tune: Traditional.
The Provost’s ae dochter was walkin’ her lane—
O, but her love, it was easy won—
When she heard a Scots prisoner makin’ his mane.
Aye, and she was the floo’er o’ Northumberland.
He said, “If I had a lassie tae set me free—
O, but her love, it was easy won,
I wad mak’ her a lady o’ high degree
That she’d loose me out fae my prison sae strang.”
Noo she’s gone her ben tae her faither’s bedstock—
O, but her love, it was easy won,
And she’s stolen the keys oot o’ mony stout locks
For tae loose him oot fae his prison sae strang.
And she’s gone her ben tae her faither’s stables—
And it’s O, but her love, it was easy won,
And she’s stolen the steed that was baith fleet and able
For tae hurl them over tae bonny Scotland.
But as they were a-ridin’ oot o’er yon Scots muir,
He cried, “O, but your love it was easy won!
Get doon fae my horse! Ye’re a brazen-faced whore
Although ye’re the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland.”
She said, “Cook in yer kitchen I surely will be—
O, but my love, it was easy won,
For I cannae gae back tae my ain country
Although I’m the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland.”
He said, “Cook in my kitchen ye cannae weel be—
O, but your love, it was easy won,
For my lady, she wadnae have servants like ye,
So ye’ll need tae gae hame tae Northumberland.”
But laithe was he thon lassie tae tine And said,
“O, but yer love, it was easy won.”
So he’s hired an auld horse and he’s hired an auld man
For tae carry her back tae Northumberland.
Now when she gaed in her faither did frown And said,
“O, but yer love, it was easy won!
Tae gang wi’ a Scotsman when yer’re barely sixteen!
Aye, and ye were the floo’er o’ Northumberland.”
But when she gaed in her mither did smile
And said, “O, but yer love, it was easy won!
But ye’re no’ the first that yon Scots have beguiled,
And ye’re welcome back hame tae Northumberland.”
“Oh, ye winnae want breid, and ye winnae want wine—
O, but yer love, it was easy won,
And ye winnae want siller tae buy a man wi’,
And ye’re, aye, the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland.”