274. The Ghost Fiancé

Revival of a lost folk song from Scotland, 18th century. Lyrics and 1st verse’s melody are traditional. Other arrangements by Lucius BARDE and Célia de SOUNAULT (mélodie 3, 5-7, et 12-15). Lyrics in Scots English.

1. There came a Ghaist to Margret's door, With mony a grievous grane ; 
And, ay he tirled at the pin, But answer made she nane.

2. [Margret] "Is that my father Philip ? Or is it my brother John?
Or is it my true love Willy, From Scotland a-new come home ?"

3. [Ghost Willy] "It's not thy father Philip, Nor is it thy brother John ; 
But it's thy true love Willy, From Scotland a-new come home.

4. [Ghost] Oh sweet Margret ! oh dear Margret ? I pray thee speak to me; 
Give me my faith and troth, Margret. As I gave it to thee."

5. [Margret] "Thy faith and troth thoust never get, We twa will never twin,
 Till that thou come within my bower, And kiss my cheek and chin."

6. [Ghost] "If I should come within thy bower, I am no earthly man ;
And should I kiss thy rosy lips, Thy days will nae be lang."

7. [Margret] "Thy faith and troth thoust never get, We twa will never twin_,
Till you take me to yon kirk yard, And wed me with a ring."

8. [Ghost] "My banes are buried in yon kirk yard, Afar beyond the sea ;
And it is but my spirit, Margret, That' s now speaking to thee."

9. She stretched out her lily-white hand, And for to do her best:
[Margret] "Hae, there's your faith and troth, Willy, Got send your soul good rest."

10. Now she has kilted her robes of green, A piece below her knee. 
And all the livelang winter night, the dear ghaist follow'd she.

11. [Margret] "Is there any room at your head, Willy ? Or any room at your feet ?
Or any room at your side, Willy, Wherein that I may creep."

12. [Ghost] "There's no room at my head, Margret ; There's no room at my feet ; 
There's no room at my side, Margret, My coffin's made so meet."

13. Then up and crew the red heather-cock[1], And up then crew the gray :
[Ghost] "It's time, It's time, my dear Margret, That ye were gain' away."

14. No more the Ghaist to Margret said, But with a grievous grane, 
He vanish'd in a cloud of mist, And left her all alane.

15. [Margret] "Ah, stay, my only true love, stay!" [2] The constant Margret cried ; 
Wan grew her cheeks, she clos'd her e'es , Stretch'd her soft limbs, and died.

Notes and sources:

This song was found in a collection of folk songs, primarily in French, from 1883, where it is given in English but with the title “Le Fiancé Fantôme” (The Ghost Fiancé) in French. It is noted that the song exists in Scottish collections from 1764 and 1790.

[1] In the original text: red red cock. Replaced with heather-cock (capercaillie) for a wilder feel.

[2] In the original text, Margret dies with very explicit lyrics. But in the version taken by B.i.E., we propose ending the lyrics with: “Stay!” with the same guttural background voice as Willy’s ghost’s speech, which implies Margret’s death since she ends with a ghostly voice.

Source: E. Rolland & A. Orain, “Recueil de chansons populaires vol. 4”
https://archive.org/details/recueildechanson04roll/page/44/mode/2up

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