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Lord Gregory / Lass of Loch Royal

[ Roud 49 ; Child 76 ; Ballad Index C076 ; trad.]

Shirley Collins learned this ballad of betrayal by the lover's mother, Lord Gregory, from the singing of Elizabeth Cronin. She sang it unaccompanied on her and Dayy Graham's album Folk Roots, New Routes.

Maddy Prior's version with the title Lass of Lock Royal seems to be more a ballad of rape and abandonment. She sang it on her and June Tabor's album Silly Sisters, accompanied by Nic Jones, guitar; Danny Thompson, bass; and Gabriel McKeon, Uilleann pipes. The album's sleeve notes comment:

This is part of a longer (and rambling) ballad; this portion is sometimes known as Lord Gregory.

In fact, it is listed as Lass of Loch Royal (#76) in Child's English and Scottish Popular Ballads; but Maddy Prior's rendering is somewhat different from Child's versions.

Maddy Prior sang this ballad again as Lord Gregory on Steeleye Span's 2006 CD, Bloody Men. She commented in the sleeve notes:

I first heard this from the singing of Paddy Tunney, but it is many years since I heard his delicate rendition, and I expect there have been some changes. I don't have the most accurate musical ear, nor the best memory, so the folk process will be at its most evident in my versions of traditional songs. This is a beautifully portrayed picture of a devastating romantic encounter that leaves the girl in despair, given the social mores of the day.

Lyrics

Shirley Collins sings Lord Gregory

I am a poor young girl that's straight from Cappoquin,
I'm in search of Lord Gregory, pray God I'll find him.

The rain beats my yellow locks and the dew wets me still,
My babe is cold in my arms, Lord Gregory, let me in.”

Lord Gregory, he's not here and henceforth can't be seen,
For he's gone to bonny Scotland to bring home his new queen.

So leave now these windows and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea you should hide your downfall.

But who will shoe my babe's little feet? Who'll put gloves on her hand?
Who will tie my babe's middle with a long linen band?

Who will comb my babe's yellow hair with an ivory comb?
Who will be my babe's father till Lord Gregory comes home?

Do you recall, darling Gregory, that night in Cappoquin
When we both changed pocket handkerchiefs and me against my will?

For yours was pure linen, love, and mine but coarse cloth,
For yours cost a guinea, love, and mine but one groat.

Do you remember, love Gregory, that night in Cappoquin
When we changed rings on our fingers and me against my will?

For yours was pure silver, love, and mine was but tin,
For yours cost a guinea, love, and mine but one cent.

Now my curse on you, Mother, my curse being so
Sure I dream the girl I love came a-knocking to my door.

Sleep down, you foolish son, sleep down and sleep on
For it's long ago that weary girl lies drowning in the sea.

The saddle me the black horse, the brown and the bay,
Come saddle me the best horse in my stable today.

And I'll range over mountains, over valleys so wide
Till I find the girl I love and I'll lay by her side.

Maddy Prior sings Lass of Loch Royal on Silly Sisters

I am a King's daughter come straight from Cappoquin,
In search of Lord Gregory, may God I'll find him.

The rain beats at my yellow locks, the dew wets me still,
The babe is cold in my arms, love, Lord Gregory let me in.

Lord Gregory is not here and he henceforth can't be seen,
For he's gone to bonny Scotland to bring home his new queen.

Leave now these windows and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea you will find your downfall.

Do you remember, love Gregory, as we sat at the wine?
We exchanged rings and aye, the best was mine.

Yours was the purest gold and mine but false tin,
Yours it cost a guinea, love, but aye, 'twas false within.

Do you remember, love Gregory, that night in Cappoquin?
You stole away my maidenhead and sore against my will.

So open these windows, open and let me in,
The rain rains on my good clothing and the dew stands on my chin.

I have built a bonny boat all covered with pearl,
And at every needle tuck in it there hangs a silver bell.

But I'll take down that mast of gold and set up a mast of tree,
For it does not suit a forsaken maid to sail so royally.

And I'll leave now these windows and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea I will find my downfall.

Maddy Prior sings Lord Gregory on Bloody Men

I am a King's daughter come straight from Cappoquin
In search of Lord Gregory, may God I'll find him.

The rain beats at my yellow locks, the dew wets me still,
The babe is cold in my arms, love, Lord Gregory let me in.

The rain rains on my good clothing, the dew stands on my chin,
The babe is cold in my arms, love, Lord Gregory let me in.

Do you remember, love Gregory, that night in Cappoquin?
We exchanged handkerchiefs and sore against my will.

Four yours it was fine linen, love, and mine but course cloth,
Yours it cost a guinea, love, and mine but one groat.

Do you remember, love Gregory, as we sat at the wine?
We exchanged rings and aye, the best was thine.

For yours it was the purest gold and mine but false tin,
Yours it cost a guinea, love, but aye, 'twas false within.

Do you remember, love Gregory, that night in my father's hall?
You stole away my maidenhead, and that's the worst of all.

Lord Gregory is not here and he henceforth can't be seen
For he's gone to bonny Scotland to bring home his new queen.

Lord Gregory is not here and he lately has gone,
He's gone to bonny Scotland to bring his new bride home.

So leave now these windows and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea you will find your downfall.

She's took her young son in her arms, turned from that cold hall,
Saying, deep in the sea we will find our downfall.