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> Louis Killen > Songs > The Banks of the Sweet Dundee

The Banks of the Sweet Dundee

[ Roud 148 ; Laws M25 ; Ballad Index LM25 ; trad.]

Fred Jordan sang The Banks of the Sweet Dundee in a recording made by Mike Yates in 1965. It was included in 2003 on his Veteran CD A Shropshire Lad. The liner notes commented:

Also called, by Fred, The Farmer's Daughter. Scots collector Gavin Greig said of The Banks of Sweet Dundee (or Undaunted Mary as it is sometimes called), “Few ballads are so popular and so widely distributed… It seems to be as well known in England as in Scotland, and appears in several collections. Its popularity may so far be due to its tragic character. As one editor (Frank Kidson) says, there is enough tragedy and injured innocence in the ballad to furnish the plot of a penny novelette. The tune too, which belongs to a well-known type of folk-melody, has doubtless helped to make the ballad a favourite.” It should, perhaps, be noted that Kidson also thought the words of the song to be, “sublime doggerel”! Although Fred did not record this song for the BBC in 1952, he did mention that it was another song that he then knew.

Bob Brader sang The Banks of Sweet Dundee in a recording made by Fred Hamer in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire on July 29, 1967. It was included in 1998 on the Topic anthology As Me and My Love Sat Courting (The Voice of the People Series Vol. 15).

The Broadside from Grimsby sang The Banks of Sweet Dundee in 1973 on their Topic LP The Moon Shone Bright: Songs and Ballads collected in Lincolnshire.

Harry Upton sang The Banks of the Sweet Dundee in a recording by Mike Yates in between 1972 and 1975. It was included in 1976 on the Topic anthology Green Grow the Laurels: Country Singers from the South.

Robin and Barry Dransfield sang The Banks of the Sweet Dundee in 1977 on their Free Reed album Popular to Contrary Belief. This track was also included in 1997 on their Free Reed anthology Up to Now.

June Tabor sang The Banks of the Sweet Dundee in a BBC session recorded January 25, 1977 and broadcast February 22, 1977. This recording was included in 1986 on her Strange Fruit EP The Peel Sessions and in 1998 on her Strange Fruit CD On Air.

Walter Pardon sang The Banks of Sweet Dundee in a recording made by Mike Yates on August 2, 1978. It was included in 2000 on his Topic anthology A World Without Horses: A Portrait of a Traditional Singer.

Louis Killen sang The Banks of Sweet Dundee unaccompanied on his 1989 cassette The Rose in June. He commented in his liner notes:

From the singing of Brian Ballinger when we were both living in Oxford in the mid-50s. One of the most popular broadsides of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and found in the repertoire of most country singers well into the 20th.

Grace Notes sang Banks of the Sweet Dundee in 1998 on their Fellside CD Red Wine & Promises. Maggie Boyle commented in their liner notes:

From the singing of Joe Heaney. A great song of a young lass in no need of assertiveness training. Thanks to Arthur Knevett for sharing his research.

Lyrics

Louis Killen sings The Banks of Sweet Dundee

It's of a farmer's daughter, so beautiful I'm told.
Her father died and left her five hundred pounds in gold.
She lived with her uncle, the cause of all her woe,
But you soon shall hear this maiden fair that causes his overthrow.

Her uncle had a ploughboy young Mary loved fair well
And in her uncle's garden their tales of love they'd tell.
But there was a wealthy squire who oft her came to see
But still she loved her ploughboy on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Her uncle and the squire rode out once on this day.
“Young William's in favour,” her uncle then did say,
“Indeed is my intention to tie him to a tree
Or else to bribe the press gang on the banks of sweet Dundee.“

The press gang found young William when he was all alone;
He boldly fought for liberty, but they were six to one.
The blood did flow in torrents, “Pray, kill me now,” says he,
“I'd rather die for Mary on the banks of sweet Dundee.“

This maid one day was walking, lamenting for her love,
She met the wealthy squire down by her uncle's grove.
He put his arms around her, “Stand off, bad man,” said she;
“You sent the only lad I love from the banks of sweet Dundee.“

He clashed his arms around her and tried to throw her down;
Two pistols and a sword she spied beneath his morning gown.
Young Mary took the pistols and the sword he used so free;
And she did fire and shot the squire on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Her uncle overheard the noise and hastened to the ground,
“Oh since you killed the squire, I'll give you your death wound!”
“Stand off!” oh then young Mary said, “undaunted I will be!”
And the sword she drew and her uncle slew on the banks of sweet Dundee.

A doctor soon was sent for, a man of noted skill;
Likewise came his lawyer for him to sign his will.
He left his gold to Mary who'd fought so manfully
And closed his eyes, no more to rise, on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Grace Notes sing Banks of the Sweet Dundee

It's of a farmer's daughter, so beautiful I am told.
Her parents died and they left her a large amount of gold.
She lived with her uncle, the cause of all her woe,
But you soon shall hear how this maiden fair she proved his overthrow.

Her uncle had a ploughboy young Mary loved quite well
And in her uncle's garden their tales of love did tell.
There was a wealthy squire who oft her her to see
But still she loved her ploughboy on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Well on a Monday morning her uncle went straightway,
He knocked upon the maiden's door and this to her did say:
“Arise, arise, my pretty maid, a lady you can be,
The squire is waiting for you on the banks of sweet Dundee.“

“I care not for your squires, your lords or dukes likewise,
My William he appears to me like diamonds in the skies.”
“Begone, unruly female, you ne'er shall happy be,
For I will banish William from the banks of sweet Dundee.“

Her uncle and the squire went out to walk next day.
“Young William he's in favour,” her uncle he did say,
“Indeed it's my intention to tie him to a tree
Or else to bribe the press gang on the banks of sweet Dundee.“

The press gang came on William while he was all alone;
He bravely fought for liberty, but they were six to one.
His blood did flow in torrents, “Pray, kill me now,” said he,
“For I will die for Mary on the banks of sweet Dundee.“

And Mary was out walking, lamenting for her love,
She met the wealthy squire down by her uncle's grove.
He threw his arms around her, “Stand off, bad man,” said she;
“'Twas you to bribe the press gang on the banks of sweet Dundee.“

He wrapped his arms around her and he tried to throw her down;
A pistol and a sword she spied beneath his morning gown.
She took the pistol from him and the sword he used quite free;
She did fire and she shot the squire on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Her uncle overheard the noise and hastened to the ground,
“Since you have killed the squire,“ he said, “I'll give you your death wound!”
“Stand off, bad man!” said Mary, “undaunted I will be!”
The trigger she drew and her uncle slew on the banks of sweet Dundee.

He willed his gold to Mary who fought so manfully,
He closed his eyes, no more to rise, on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Links

See also the Mudcat Café thread Origins: Banks of Sweet Dundee.