Ballads, English -- England -- Texts; Ballads, Scots -- Scotland -- Texts
First published as follows in Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, i. 102. The
copy used was derived from Mrs. Brown, and collated with a fragment
taken down by Scott from the recitation of two of the descendants of
Inverey. Buchan has given a different version in his _Gleanings_, which
is annexed to the present. "This ballad," says Chambers, "records an
unfortunate rencontre, which took place on the 16th of September, 1666,
between John Gordon of Brackley, commonly called the Baron of Brackley,
(in Aberdeenshire,) and Farquharson of Inverey, a noted freebooter, who
dwelt on Dee-side. The former gentleman, who is yet remembered by
tradition as a person of the most amiable and respectable character, had
contrived to offend Farquharson, by pounding some horses belonging to
his (Farquharson's) followers, which had either strayed into the
Brackley grounds, or become forfeited on account of some petty
delinquencies committed by their proprietors. Farquharson was a man of
violent habits and passions; he is yet remembered by the epithet
_Fuddie_, descriptive of his hurried, impatient gait; and it is said
that, having been in league with the powers of darkness, he was buried
on the north side of a hill, where the sun never shone. On account of
the miraculous expedition with which he could sweep the cattle away from
a fertile district, _Deil scoup wi'_ _Fuddie!_ is still a popular
proverb, implying that the devil could alone keep his own part with him.
This singular marauder, it appears, from authentic information, wished
at first to argue the point at issue with the Baron of Brackley; but in
the course of the altercation some expression from one of the parties
occasioned a mutual discharge of fire-arms, by which Brackley and three
of his followers fell. An attempt was made by the baron's friends to
bring Fuddie to justice; but the case seems to have been justly
considered one of chance medley, and the accused party was soon restored
to society."--_The Scottish Ballads_, p. 147.
Down Dee side came Inverey whistling and playing;
He's lighted at Brackley yates at the day dawing.
Says, "Baron o' Brackley, O are ye within?
There's sharp swords at the yate will gar your blood spin."
The lady raise up, to the window she went; 5
She heard her kye lowing o'er hill and o'er bent.
"O rise up, ye baron, and turn back your kye;
For the lads o' Drumwharran are driving them bye."
"How can I rise, lady, or turn them again!
Whare'er I have ae man, I wat they hae ten." 10
"Then rise up, my lasses, tak rocks in your hand,
And turn back the kye;--I ha'e you at command.
"Gin I had a husband, as I hae nane,
He wadna lye in his bower, see his kye ta'en."
Then up got the baron, and cried for his graith; 15
Says, "Lady, I'll gang, tho' to leave you I'm laith.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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