“Auld Eddie Ochiltree”

Description

Auld Eddie, a blue-gown beggar, comes to town and is greeted and cared for by the townsfolk. He foretells who is to be married next and makes other predictions. All are happy to see the cheerful wanderer

Supplemental text

Auld Eddie Ochiltree
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

As printed by W. H. Logan, The Pedlar's Pack of Ballads and Songs,
pp. 43-45. Apparently from a broadside published by David Webster
of Edinburgh.

O heard you o' the bauld blue-gown,
      Auld Eddie Ochiltree?
Weel kent in ilka country town,
      Auld Eddie Ochiltree;
When beggars o' the gangrell corps,
Are driven frae the hallen door,
The gudewife cries, "Come ye in ower
      Auld Eddie Ochiltree."

(6 additional stanzas)

Notes

Ford and Logan both describe the blue-gown beggars, a special order appointed by the Catholic kings of Scotland to pray for them. Not surprisingly, this order died out long ago -- but Walter Scott's _The Antiquary_ mentions a blue-gown beggar actually named Eddie Ochiltree. Obviously there is some sort of dependence involved. - RBW

References

1. Ford-Vagabond, pp. 218-221, "Auld Eddie Ochiltree" (1 text)
2. Logan, pp. 166-171, "Auld Eddie Ochiltree" (1 text)
3. ST FVS218 (Partial)
4. Roud #5637
5. BI, FVS218