The Rantin Laddie

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The (Bonnie) Rantin' Laddie or Lord Aboyne (Child # 240, Roud # 103) is a traditional Scottish folk ballad telling of the valiant rescue of his lover by a noble Highland lord.[1]

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The singer tells how she has a love affair with Lord Aboyne (the Rantin' Laddie) but turns down the opportunity to marry him. It transpires that he has got her pregnant and now she must sit in the hall nursing her baby, scorned by family, friends and even servants. However, the kitchen boy takes pity on her and agrees to take a letter to her lover. When Lord Aboyne receives the news he is both gladdened to hear from her but also furious about her mistreatment. He assembles a force of five hundred armed men on horseback and marches across the Highlands to take her back to Castle Aboyne where she will be cared for as "his ain dear lady". Some versions end with a warning to girls about Lowland men who will be false but, instead, to choose a Highland laddie, who will be prepared to do battle for their lovers like the hero of this ballad.

[edit] Recordings

  • Ewan MacColl on The English And Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol. 1 - Child Ballads
  • Alan Lomax on Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales: Vol. 2
  • Jean Redpath on First Flight (1989)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Francis James Child, English and Scottish Popular Ballads, "The Rantin Laddie"

[edit] External Links

Ancient ballads and songs of the north of Scotland

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