> June Tabor > Songs > The Merchant's Son

The Merchant's Son

[ Roud 2153 ; Ballad Index K338 ; trad.]

Davie Stewart sang The Merchant’s Son and the Beggar’s Daughter in a recording made by Alan Lomax in Angus, Scotland on the anthology Songs of Seduction (The Folk Songs of Britain Volume 2; Caedmon 1961; Topic 1968). Another recording of Davie Stewart singing The Merchant’s Son was made by Hamish Henderson in the home of James Ross, Edinburgh, in probably 1955 but possibly 1962. It was released in 1978 on his Topic album Davie Stewart, and included in 1998 on the Topic anthology They Ordered Their Pints of Beer and Bottles of Sherry (The Voice of the People Volume 13).

Norman Kennedy sang Oh, Hae Ye Heard o' the Merchant’s Son in 1968 on his Folk-Legacy album Ballads & Songs of Scotland. and on his Topic LP Scots Songs and Ballads.

Ian Manuel sang The Merchant’s Son and the Beggar Wench on his 1977 Topic album The Dales of Caledonia: Scots Traditional Songs.

June Tabor sang The Merchant's Son in 1976 on her first solo album, Airs and Graces. She commented in her sleeve notes:

From the singing of Dave Stewart; first heard from Ian Manuel of Hull.

Lyrics

Norman Kennedy sings Oh, Hae Ye Heard o' the Merchant’s Son	June Tabor sings The Merchant’s Son
A merchant's son, he lived in wrong And tae the beggin' he has gone; He mounted on a noble steed And awa' wi' pleasure he did ride.	A merchant's son, he lived in wrong And to the beggin' he has gone; He mounted on his noble steed And awa' wi' pleasure he did ride.
Chorus (after each verse): Fal al the dooral i do Fal al the day	Chorus (after each verse): Fal al the dooral i do Fal al the day
A beggar wench he chanced tae meet, A beggar wench of low degree. He took pity on her distress An' says: “My lass, you've got a bonny face.”	A beggar wench he chanced to meet, A beggar wench of low degree. He took pity on her distress An' says: “My lass, you've got a pretty face.”
They both inclined noo tae have a drink; Into a public house they both went. They both drunk ale and brandy too Till the both o' them got rollin' fu'.	They both inclined now to have a drink; Into a public house they went. They ordered ale and brandy too Till the both of them got rollin' fu'.
They both inclined noo tae go tae bed Soon under cover they were laid; Strong ale and brandy went tae their heid And both now slept as they were deid.	They both inclin-ed to go to bed And under cover soon were laid; Strong ale and brandy went to their heads And both now slept as they were dead.
Later on this wench she rose And put on noo the merchant's clothes; With his hat so high and his sword sae clear For she's awa' wi' the merchant's gear.	Later on the wench she rose And put on now the merchant's clothes; With his hat so high and his sword so clear And she's awa' wi' the merchant's gear.
Early next morning the merchant rose And looking round for tae find his clothes. There's nothing left into the room But a ragged petticoat and a linsey goun.	Early next morning the merchant rose And looking round for to find his clothes. There's nothing left into the room But a ragged petticoat and a linsey gown.
The merchant being a stranger to the toon He put on the old coat and goun; And down the street he soundly swore, He would never lie with a beggar no more.	The merchant being a stranger to the town He put on the old coat and gown; And down the street he loudly swore, He would never lie with a beggar no more.