Tansey

[ Roud 12970 ; G/D 8:1580 ; Ballad Index Fus173 ; trad.]

Emily B. Lyle: Andrew Crawfurd’s Collection of Ballads and Songs

Amy Leach sang Tanzie in 2018 on her and Shona Mooney’s EP Banff to Ancona. They noted:

Amy found these words in a collection of songs from Ayrshire in the 1820s, Andrew Crawfurd’s Collection of Ballads and Songs. It was most likely collected from school children who would sing it in the playground.

Amy Leach and Rachel Newton sang the girls’ game song Tansey in 2026 on Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul’s album They’ll Aye Remain. They noted:

Not a very nice song. The words were collected by Hugh McAlister, from children he taught in Lochwinnoch. It is described as a ‘game for girls’.

Lyrics

Amy Leach and Rachel Newton sing Tansey

Here’s a lady’s laid down tae die
Down tae die, down tae die
Here’s a lady’s laid down tae die
Belongs tae merry man tansey

She’s borne a wean on a Saturday night
A Saturday night, a Saturday night
She’s borne a wean on a Saturday night
Belongs tae merry man tansey

An guess ye what she’s rowed it in
She rowed it in, she’s rowed it in
An guess ye what she’s rowed it in
Belongs tae merry man tansey

She’s rowed it in a dish clout
A dish clout, a dish clout
She’s rowed it in a dish clout
Belongs tae merry man tansey

An guess ye what she’s laid it on
She’s laid it on, she’s laid it on
An guess ye what she’s laid it on
Belongs tae merry man tansey

She’s laid it on a nettle buss
A nettle buss a nettle buss
She’s laid it on a nettle buss
Belongs tae merry man tansey

A nettle buss is a cankerie thing
A cankerie thing a cankerie thing
A nettle buss is a cankerie thing
Belongs tae merry man tansey

Here’s a lady’s laid down tae die
Down tae die, down tae die
Here’s a lady’s laid down tae die
Belongs tae merry man tansey