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Bonnie George Campbell / Bonnie James Campbell

[ Roud 338 ; Child 210 ; Ballad Index C210 ; trad.]

Nic Jones sang the Border ballad Bonny George Campbell in a BBC Radio 1 John Peel session recorded on October 14, 1975 and broadcast November 12, 1975. I don't know if this recording or another of unknown origin was included on his 2001 anthology Unearthed.

Steve Turner sang Bonnie George Campbell in 1986 on the Fellside anthology Flash Company and in 2008 on his own CD The Whirligig of Time.

June Tabor sang Bonnie James Campbell in 2003 on her album of Border ballads, An Echo of Hooves.

Lyrics

Nic Jones sings Bonny George Campbell

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,
Bonny George Campbell he rode out on a day.
Saddled, bridled, so gallant rode he,
Home came his good horse but never came he.

Down came his mother dear with her heart filled with care,
Down came his bonny bride and she's curling her hair.
My meadow lies green and the corn is unshorn,
Bonny George Campbell he'll never return.

Saddled and bridled and booted rode he,
With a plume in his helmet and a sword by his knee.
Home came the saddle, all bloody to see,
Home came his good horse but never came he.

Steve Turner sings Bonnie George Campbell

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,
Bonnie George Campbell rode out on a day.
Saddled and bridled and booted rode he,
Home came his good horse but never came he.

Saddled and bridled and booted rode he,
With a plume in his helmet and a sword by his knee.
Home came the saddle, all bloody to see,
Home came his good horse but never came he.

Down came his mother: She's crying full sore.
Out came his bonnie wife: She's tearing of her hair.
My meadows lie green and my corn is unshorn,
My barns they are empty And my baby's unborn.

(repeat first verse)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Garry Gillard for transcribing Steve Turner's verses.