Mythology & Folklore

The Bonny Earl of Murray

by Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads) traditional; texts recorded c. 15th–18th century

From The Oxford Book of Ballads (1910)

Mythology & Folklore

Ye Highlands and ye Lawlands,
O where hae ye been?
They hae slain the Earl of Murray,
And hae laid him on the green.

Now wae be to thee, Huntley!
And whairfore did ye sae!
I bade you bring him wi’ you,
But forbade you him to slay.

He was a braw gallant,
And he rid at the ring;
And the bonny Earl of Murray,
O he might hae been a king!

He was a braw gallant,
And he play’d at the ba’;
And the bonny Earl of Murray
Was the flower amang them a’!

He was a braw gallant,
And he play’d at the gluve;
And the bonny Earl of Murray,
O he was the Queen’s luve!

O lang will his Lady
Look owre the Castle Downe,
Ere she see the Earl of Murray
Come sounding through the town!

MLA

Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads). “The Bonny Earl of Murray.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-scottish-ballads/93/.

Chicago

Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads). “The Bonny Earl of Murray.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-scottish-ballads/93/.

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