“My Bonny Brown Jane”
Description
The singer recalls courting a girl with a "false flattering tongue." He courts Jane, but another earns her love. He enlists in the army "to fight for my queen in a far country." Lonely at night, he prays "for her welfare; what can I do more?"
Notes
This has many lyric similarities to "William and Nancy," and also a bit of "The False Bride." But the ending about enlisting as a soldier makes the song distinct. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "William and Nancy (II) (Courting Too Slow) [Laws P5]" (lyrics)
- cf. "The False Bride (The Week Before Easter; I Once Loved a Lass)" (theme)
Recordings
- Robert Cinnamond, "The Comely Young Dame" (on IRRCinnamond02)
References
- SHenry H613, p. 396, "My Bonny Brown Jane" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #7000
- BI, HHH613