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The Earl o March’s Daughter

[ Roud - ; Mudcat 28603 ; Lionel McClelland]

Bram Taylor sang The Earl o March’s Daughter in 1989 on his Fellside album Taylor Made. He noted:

This song by Lionel McClelland of the talented Scottish group, Black Eyed Biddy, is based on an old Border legend. Its main characters being the Lady of Neidpath Castle (situated near to Peebles town) and her lover, Tushilaw, who was considered an inadequate suitor by the Lady’s father, and as such was banished to fight in France. Ironically, the Lady died of a broken heart just before Tushilaw returns to see his love again. Pass the Kleenex!!!

Lionel McClelland sang The Earl o March’s Daughter an his posthumous 2012 album To Wyle Us Hame. The liner noted said:

The song that Lionel is perhaps best known for, and took the fact that many people thought that this was a classic traditional song as the ultimate compliment. Neidpath Castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Jean Douglas, Sir Walter Scott’s “Maid of Neidpath”, the youngest daughter of William Douglas, Earl of March.

Old Blind Dogs sang The Earl o March’s Daughter on their 2017 album Room With a View.

Lyrics

Lionel McClellan sings The Earl o March’s Daughter

Young Tushilaw’s a hunting ga’en
And galant is his deed,
For he’s ta’en the heart of Lady March
The fairest maid in Tweed.

But the faither he has banished him For he’s below her station And Tushilaw has fled tae France To fight for King and nation.

Chorus (after every ohwer verse):
She’s the Earl of March’s daughter
And the fairest of them a’
But the humble squire o’ Tushilaw
Has ta’en her heart awa’.

Noo the lady she has heard the news
That Tushilaw has fled,
And the lady’s looking pale and drawn,
She’s ta’en untaw her bed.

A physician’s came tae Neidpath,
A’ season she’s been lying,
I fear she has a broken heart,
I fear my lady’s dying.

Noo her faither he’s conceded
And he’s one to tak’ the blame.
And a messenger has sent awa’
To fetch her lover hame.

And the lady’s feeling better,
She’s risen tae her feet
An’ she’s ta’en a hoose in Peebles town
Her true love there to meet.

But she’s looking tired and pallid,
Her cheeks have lost their glow,
She’s no the hansome beauty that
She was a year ago.

And when Tushilaw to Peebles cam’
His horse he didna tether,
He swiftly passed the lady by
An’ ta’en her for another.

He’s galloped on for Neidpath
To see his love again,
He spurs his horse in anguish
But he spurs his horse in vain.

For the lady lies in Peebles toon,
It’s there she’s passed awa’.
Her wounded heart nae longer beats
For handsome Tushilaw.