Ballad on the death of
James Stewart, second
Earl of Moray, who was killed by
George Gorden, sixth
Earl of Huntly, who was supposed to be arresting him. The event occured in 1592, and the warrant for arrest was given by our old friend,
James VI of
Scotland, he of the
King James Bible. The poem is mainly notable now for being the origin of the word
mondagreen/
mondegreen.
Ye Hielands an' ye Lowlands
O, where have ye been
They hae slain the Earl of Moray
And lain him on the green
He was a braw gallant
And he rode at the ring
An' the bonnie Earl of Moray
O, he micht hae been the king!
O, lang may his lady
Look frae the castle Doune
Ere she see the Earl of Moray
Come soundin' through the toun
Now wae be to thee, Huntly
And wherefore did ye sae?
I bade you bring him wi' you
But forbade you him to slay
He was a braw gallant
And he play'd at the ball
An' the Bonnie Earl of Moray
Was a flower among them all
Ye Hielan's and ye Lowlan's
O where hae ye been?
They have slain the Earl of Moray
An' laid him on the green
He was a braw gallant
And he rode at the gluve
An' the Bonnie Earl of Moray
O, he was the Queen's true love