Geordie - An ancient British ballad born around the 16th century - Balcony Music
One of the De Andre masterpiece, like always he takes a sad story and he gives it life. De Andre is a poet and here with Square Irene orchestra and spontaneous Peacetouslesjours choir we try to give to this wonderful song is place on DTube.
Geordie is an ancient British ballad born around the 16th century, number 209 of the Child Ballads, and exists in many variations. Versions of this ballad are in fact part of the traditional repertoire of folk singers in Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada and the United States, and is still sung by numerous artists and musical groups. The ballad speaks of the eponymous hero's trial, during which his wife pleads for his life.
In Italy the version translated and sung by Fabrizio De André, who was the first artist to record an Italian version of the ballad, is well known.
VERSIONE JOAN BAEZ
As I walk’d o’er London Bridge
One misty morning early
I overheard a fair pretty maid,
Was lamenting for her Geordie.
“O, my Geordie will be hang’d in a golden chain,
‘tis not the chain of many,
He was born from King’s royal breed
And lost to a virtuous lady.
Go bridle me my milk-white steed,
Go bridle me my pony,
I will ride to London’s Court
To plead for the life of Geordie.
O Geordie never stole nor cow, nor calf,
He never hurted any,
Stole sixteen of the King’s royal deer
And he sold them in Bohenny.
Two pretty babes have I born,
The third lies in my body,
I’d freely part to them ev’ry one
If you’d spare the life of Geordie.”
The judge look’d over his left shoulder,
He said, “Fair maid, I’m sorry,
So, fair maid, you must be gone,
For I cannot pardon Geordie.”
O my Geordie will be hang’d in a golden chain,
‘tis not the chain of many,
Stole sixteen of the King’s royal deer
And he sold them in Bohenny.
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