Jock O'Hazeldean
Music File
Lesley Nelson
Information
Lyrics
These lyrics were written by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1882) and published in 1816 in Albyn's Anthology. However, the ballad is much older. It was originally John of Hazelgreen. C. K. Sharpe, who sent the ballad to Scott said it was from a manuscript dated "probably one hundred years" earlier, placing the original manuscript in the 1700s.

This ballad is Child Ballad #293 (John of Hazelgreen).

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

Why weep ye by the tide, lady
Why weep ye by the tide?
I'll wed ye to my youngest son
And ye shall be his bride
And ye shall be his bride, lady
Sae comely to be seen
But aye she let the tears doon fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldean.

Now let this willfu' grief be done
And dry that cheek sae pale
Young Frank is chief of Errington
And laird o' Langley-dale
His step is first in peaceful ha'
His sword in battle keen
But aye she let the tears doon fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldean.

A chain of gold ye shall not lack
Nor braid to bind your hair
Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk
Nor palfrey fresh and fair.
And you, the foremost o' them a'
Shall ride our forrest queen
But aye she let the tears doon fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldean.

The kirk was deck'd at morningtide
The tapers glimmer'd fair
The priest and bridegroom wait the bride
And dame and knight were there
They sought her baith by bower and ha'
The lady was na' seen
She's o'er the border and awa'
Wi' Jock o' Hazeldean.
Related Links
From Seventy Scottish Songs and
The English and Scottish Popular Ballads
See Bibliography for full information.