“The Bonny Boy (I)”

Description

The girl says, "I once had a boy, a bonny bonny boy, / A boy that I thought was my own." But the boy has taken another girl. She adds, "Let him go... I never will mourn." The ending varies; she may unsuccessfully seek another or refuse to do so

Cross references

• cf. "Dear Companion (The Broken Heart; Go and Leave Me If You Wish To, Fond Affection)" (lyrics)
• cf. "The Grey Hawk"
• cf. "The Twitcher" (tune)

Recordings

• Recordings: Anne Briggs, "My Bonny Boy" (on Briggs1, Briggs3)

References

1. Eddy 90, "Now, My Bonny, Bonny Boy" (1 fragment, 1 tune)
2. FSCatskills 37, "The Bonny Boy' (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Sharp-100E 52, "My Bonny, Bonny Boy" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. SHenry H215, pp. 393-394, "The Bonny Bonny Boy" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. DT, BONNBOY*
6. Roud #293
7. BI, FSC037