Back to Scotland, finally, for a very early ballad. It’s performed here by the great June Tabor.

Here is the full set of verses according to folkinfo.org.

Hughie Graeme

Gude Lord Scroope’s to the hunting gane,
He has ridden o’er moss and muir,
And he has grippit Hughie the Graeme,
For stealing o’ the Bishop’s mear.

“Now good Lord Scroope this may not be,
Here hangs a broad sword by my side,
And if that then canst conquer me,
The matter it may soon be tryed.”

“I ne’er was afraid of a traitor thief,
Although thy name be Hughie the Graeme,
I’ll make thee repent thee of thy deeds,
If God but grant me life and time.”

“Then do your worst now, good Lord Scroope,
And deal your blows as hard as you can,
It shall be tried within an hour
Which of us two is the better man.”

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