“Glenlogie, or, Jean o Bethelnie”
Description
Jean o Bethelnie is enraptured with handsome Glenlogie; he wants someone richer. Jean takes to her bed; her father's chaplain appeals to Glenlogie. Glenlogie changes his mind and marries Jean
Notes
Reported to be the story of Jean Meldrum and Sir George Gordon of Glenlogie. Meldrum became a servant of Mary Stewart in 1562. Some versions of the song follow the details of the story very closely, implying either that the song is of broadside origin or that the alleged history is just that: Alleged.
(For details, see the notes in Ord, which quote an article by Dr. Shearer in the _Huntly Express_ of January 24, 1882). - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "A Rich Irish Lady (The Fair Damsel from London; Sally and Billy; The Sailor from Dover; Pretty Sally; etc.)" [Laws P9] (lyrics in some texts)
Recordings
- John Strachan, "Glenlogie" [fragment] (on Lomax43, LomaxCD1743); "Glenlogie (Jean o' Bethelnie)" (on FSB5, FSBBAL2)
References
- Child 238, "Glenlogie, or, Jean o Bethelnie" (9 texts)
- Bronson 238, "Glenlogie, or, Jean o Bethelnie" (21 versions+1 in addenda)
- Ord, pp. 412-415, "Bonnie Jean o' Bethelnie" (1 text)
- OBB 85, "Glenlogie" (1 text)
- DT 238, GLENLOG GLENLOG2*
- Roud #101
- BI, C238