Glenlogie
Music File
Barry Taylor

Information
Lyrics

The ballad is also known as Bonnie Jeannie o Bethelnie. It is an ancient Scottish air that was first published circa 1768. The words here (referring to Glenogie rather than Glenlogie) were published in Scottish Minstrel.

This ballad is Child Ballad #238.

One of the Child versions (he has nine of them) names Glenlogie as John of the "gay Gordons" and Jean as Jeany Melville - a seventeen year old. The story line is the same.

For a complete list of Child Ballads at this site go to Francis J. Child Ballads.

Three score o' nobles rade up the King's ha'
But bonnie Glenogie's the flow'r o' them a'
Wi' his milkwhite steed and his bonnie black e'e,
"Glenogie, dear mither, Glenogie for me!"

"Haund your tongue, dochter, there's better than he"
"O say na sae, mither, for that canna be;
Tho' Doumlie is greater and richer than he,
Yet if I maun tak' him, I'll certainly dee."

"There is, Glenogie, a letter for thee,
O there is, Gleogie, a letter for thee!"
The first line he look'd at, a licht lauch lauched he,
But ere he had read thro't tears blinded his e'e.

Then to Glenfeldy's but sma' mirth was there,
An bonnie Jean's mither was tearin' her hair,
"Ye're welcome, Glenogie, ye're welcome, quo' she,
"Ye're welcome, Glenogie, your Jeanie to see."

Pale and wan was she when Glenogie gae'd ben,
But rosy red grew she when e'er he sat doun;
She turned awa' wi' a smile in her e'e.
"O dinna fear, mither, I'll maybe no dee!"
Lyrics From Seventy Scottish Songs
Information From Scottish Ballads
See Bibliography for full information.
Additional information From The Traditional Ballad Index