“Jamie and Jeanie”

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1930 (Ord)
Keywords: love courting rejection dancing ring
Found in: Britain(Scotland)

Description

Jeanie asks why Jamie looks so sad. He replies that she danced with three other men at the ball. She asserts it means nothing; when he remains doubtful, she gives back his ring. He offers it again, and they reconcile

Notes

This has all the hallmarks of a composed piece: Ornateness, stupidity, and non-folk idiom. But Ord and Grieg both collected it, so here it is.

I'm not betting anything on the success of that marriage, though. - RBW

References

  1. Ord, p. 108-109, "Jamie and Jeanie -- A Duet" (1 text)
  2. Roud #3952
  3. BI, Ord108
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.