The Gairdner and the Plooman

Original Track ID

SA1956.40.5

Original Tape ID

SA1956.040

Summary

A woman is courted by a gardener lad, losing her maidenhead, a source of regret. The woman thinks that while it is braw [good] to be with the gardener lad, it is better to be with the ploughman.

Elsie Morrison does not remember the rest of the song, nor where she got it from, but thinks it may have been picked up from the bothy lads' evening entertainment during her time working as a cook in farm kitchens.

Item Notes

3 verses only. Last two lines of each verse repeated as a refrain. Seduction song. There are versions in Greig, 'Folk-Song of the North-East' (articles cxxvi and cxxviii). Listed as Child 219 'The Gardener' in some sources, including Roud Folk Song Index and Bronson, although this may be erroneous.

Recording Location

Language

Scots

Genre

Song Information

Collection

SoSS

Classification

R6845 GD1125

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good