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There are many versions of this ballad. It is based
on the legend that Mary, Queen of Scots had four ladies in waiting and one of
them was executed on the Queen's orders. This was because she had caught the
attention of the Queen's husband. In the song the unfortunate lady is sadly
lamenting how it was her beauty that led to her death. There are also various
suggestions as to who the "me" in the song refers to. Could it be, Marie
Hamilton, Marie Fleming, Marie Ogilvy? Who knows? The list is endless.
Yestreen the Queen had four Marys,
The
nicht she'll hae but three,
There was Mary Seaton and Mary Beaton,
And
Mary Carmichael and me
Oh! Often hae I dressed my queen,
And put
gowd in her hair;
But noo I've gotten for my reward,
The gallows tae be
my share.
Yestreen etc.
Oh little did my mither think,
The day she cradled me,
That I should die sic a like daith,
And hang on
the gallows tree.
Yestreen etc.
Oh! Happy happy is the
maid,
That's born o' beauty free,
It was ma dimplin' rosy cheek,
That's been the dool o' me.
yestreen - yesterday evening
nicht -
night
gowd - gold
gotten - got
mither - mother
sic - such
daith - death
dool - downfall
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