Hughie Graeme
Hughie Graeme's Defiant Farewell: A Tale of Honor and Sacrifice
Lyrics
Lords have to the mountains gone, a-huntin' of the fallow deer
Lords have gone to the mountains for deer hunting.
They have grippit Hughie Graeme for stealing of the bishop's mare
Hughie Graeme is accused of stealing the bishop's mare.
They have bought him hand and foot, led him up through Carlisle town
Hughie is captured, bound, and taken through Carlisle town.
All the lads along the way cried "Hughie Graeme, you shall hang"
The townsfolk along the way demand Hughie's execution.
"Loose my right arm free," he said,
Hughie requests to have his right arm free and his broadsword, challenging anyone in Carlisle to accuse him.
"Put my broadsword in my hand.
-There's none in Carlisle town this day
-Dare tell the tale to Hughie Graeme."
-Up and spoke the good Whitefoord as he sat by the bishop's knee,
Whitefoord offers a reward to save Hughie, but the plea is rejected, and Hughie is sentenced to death despite his Graeme lineage.
"Five hundred white stots I'll give you if you give Hughie Graeme to me."
-"Hold your tongue, my noble lord, and as of your pleading, let it be.
-Although ten Graemes were in his coat, Hughie Graeme this day shall die."
-Up and spoke the fair Whitefoord as she sat by the bishop's knee,
The fair Whitefoord also offers a reward, but her plea is dismissed for the sake of honor.
"Five hundred white pence I'll give you if you let Hughie Grame go free."
-"Hold your tongue, my lady fair, and as of your weeping, let it be.
-Although ten Graemes were in his coat, it's for my honor he must die."
-They've ta'en him to the hanging hill and led him by the gallows tree
Hughie is taken to the gallows; he remains composed but sees his father weeping.
Ne'er did color leave his cheek, nor ever did he blink his eye
-Then he's looked him roundabout, all for to see what he could see
-Then he saw his father dear, weeping, weeping bitterly
-"Hold your tongue, my father dear, and as of your weeping, let it be.
Hughie asks his father to stop weeping, as his grief hurts more than the impending execution.
It sorer, sorer grieves my heart than all that they could do to me.
-And you may give my brother James my sword that's made of the metal clear.
Hughie sends messages to his brothers about his swords and asks them to witness the payment for the bishop's mare and his execution.
Bid him come at twelve of the clock and see me pay the bishop's mare.
-And you may give my brother John my sword that's made of the metal brown.
-Bid him come at four of the clock and see his brother Hugh cut down.
-Remember me to Maggie my wife the next time she comes o'er the moor
Hughie asks to convey a message to his wife, Maggie, accusing her of stealing the bishop's mare and being unfaithful.
Tell 'er she stole the bishop's mare
-Tell 'er she was the bishop's whore
-And you may tell my kith and kin I never did disgrace their blood
Hughie asks to tell his relatives that he never disgraced their blood and jokes about shortening the bishop's cloak the next time they meet.
When next they meet the bishop's cloak,
-Leave it shorter by the hood!"
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