This sixteenth century ballad centres around the hanging of a lady-in-waiting to Mary Queen of Scots, though the story possibly has roots in a real-life lady-in-waiting to Catherine I of Russia. My favourite part of this song is Mary Hamilton’s proclamation that, since she is the cause of her fate, she need not be wept for nor saved by the king. This is what allows me to empathise with her and forms the pillar from which I am able to characterise her in my singing.
lyrics
Word is to the kitchen gone and word is to the hall,
And word is up to madam, the Queen, and that is the worst of all.
That Mary Hamilton has born a babe to the highest Stuart of all.
"Arise, arise, Mary Hamilton, arise and tell to me,
What thou hast done with thy wee babe I saw and heard weep by thee."
"I put him in a tiny boat and cast him out to sea,
That he might sink or he might swim, but he'll never come back to me."
"Arise, arise, Mary Hamilton, arise and come with me,
There is a wedding in Glasgow town this night we'll go and see."
And as she rode into Glasgow town, the city for to see,
The bailiff's wife and the provost's wife cried "Ach and alas for thee."
"Ah you need not weep for me," she cried, "you need not weep for I,
For had I not slain my own wee babe, tonight I would not die."
"Cast off, cast off my gown," she cried, "but let my petticoat be,
And tie a napkin round my face, for the gallows I would not see."
Then by and come the King himself, looked up with a pitiful eye,
"Come down, come down, Mary Hamilton, tonight you will dine with me."
"Oh, hold your tongue, my sovereign liege and let your folly be,
For if you'd a mind to save my life, you'd have never have shamed me here.
"Last night there were four Marys, tonight there'll be but three,
There was Mary Beaton, and Mary Seaton, and Mary Carmichael and me."
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