“Geordie” (Child Ballad #209) cover by Tess Hartis

This is an old beautiful English ballad from the collection of Francis Child. It tells the story of a lady begging for the life of her lover, who is to be executed. The version I am playing is based on the recording of Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer. I am posting this in honor of George Floyd, another life needlessly taken. As I walked out over London On a misty morning early I overheard a fair pretty maid Crying for the life of her Geordie "Saddle me a milk white steed Bridle me a pony And I'll ride down to London town And I'll beg for the life of my Geordie" And when she came to the courthouse steps The poor folks numbered many A hundred crowns she passed around Saying, "Pray for the life of my Geordie" "He never stole a mule or a mare He never murdered any If he shot one of the king's wild deer It was only to feed his family" And then she strode through the marble hall Before the judge and the jury Down on her bended knee she falls Crying for the life of her Geordie "He never stole, he never slew He never murdered any He never injured any of you Spare me the life of my Geordie" The judge looked over his left shoulder He says, "I'm sorry for thee My pretty fair maid, you've come to late He's been condemned already" "But six pretty babes I had by him The seventh one lies in my body And I would bear them all over again If you give me the life of my Geordie" "Your Geordie will hang in a silver chain Such as we don't hang many And he'll be laid in a coffin brave For your six fine sons to carry" "I wish I had you in the public square The whole town gathered around me With my broad sword and a pistol too I'd fight you for the life of my Geordie"