“Bogie's Bonnie Belle”
Description
Singer meets Bogie and goes to work for him; his daugher Isabel meets him by the river. She delivers a son, and Bogie sends for the singer, who promises to marry her. Bogie says the singer's not worthy of his daughter. Bogie's daughter marries a tinker
Long description
Singer, going to Huntley, meets Bogie and arranges to drive horses for him; his daugher Isabel chooses him for her guide, down by the river. Later, she delivers a son, and Bogie sends for the singer, who promises to marry her. Bogie says the singer's not worthy of his daughter, so (the singer takes his son away while) Bogie's daughter marries a tinker; the singer takes his leave (and boasts of having taken her maidenhead) (or he wishes her well)
Notes
According to Kennedy, a "literary" version of the song by John Riddel was printed in Ford's _Vagabond Songs and Ballads of Scotland_, 1900. - PJS
This is an instance of a difficult conundrum, which initially led me to lump the songs. There is good evidence that this "literary" version is a traditional song (Ford and Ord have very different versions, and Grieg found quite a few versions). And Ord's longish version has clear links to Kennedy's song. Links, but not really the same plot (e.g. the pregnancy vanishes). Still, I suspect there are versions which mix. Best to check the references to both songs.
I find myself wondering if Riddell didn't know both songs, and create his version (with its references to the muses, etc.) from scraps of both. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Adieu to Bogie Side" (lyrics)
Recordings
- Davie Stewart, "Bogie's Bonny Belle" (on FSB1)
References
- Kennedy 340, "Bogie's Bonnie Belle" (1 text, 1 tune)
- MacSeegTrav 81, "Bogie's Bonnie Belle" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, BOGIEBEL*
- Roud #2155
- BI, DTbogieb