Walter Leslie

from "Pick of the Literal" by Sean Smith

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Another Child ballad, no. 296. A somewhat more comic companion to “Broughty Walls” (Child no. 258), which I recorded on “Rule of Thumb.” Similar plot, though: Heroine is captured by would-be suitor and must undergo a severe test of physical endurance to escape – in this case, booking it over the moors “without stocking or shoon.”

lyrics

On the second of October on a Monday at noon
In and came Walter Leslie for to see his proper one
He set a chair down by her side and gently sat her by
And says will you go to Conlon for the winter time to lie

He took out a glass and he’s offered her to drink
But little she knew his meaning and what the rogue did think
Oh, what the rogue did think for to steal the maid away
Oh and will you go to Conlon for the winter time to lie

When they had had a glass or two and all was making merry
In and came Walter Leslie and forth he did her carry
And upon high horseback so hard he did her tie
And says will you go to Conlon for the winter time to lie

When they came to the ale house, the people there were busy
And a bridal bed it was well made and supper well made ready
Then supper down was set, both a plum pudding and pie
Oh and will you go to Conlon for the winter time to lie

When they’d eaten and well drunken, and all was bound for bed
Oh, the laddie and the lassie they were in one chamber led
He quickly stripped her to the smock and gently laid her by
Oh and will you go to Conlon for the winter time to lie

But Leslie being weary, he soon fell fast asleep
And the lassie thought it fit for to gang unto her feet
For to gang unto her feet and her petticoats to tie
For I’ll go no more to Conlon for the winter time to lie

It’s over moss and over moor so cleverly she ran
And over hill and over dale without stocking or shoon
And his men pursued her full fast with many a shout and cry
Saying won’t you go Conlon for the winter time to lie

Oh it’s woe to the dubs of Duffus Land that ere they were so deep
For they’ve trachled all our horsemen and they’ve got our captain sleep
And they’ve got our captain sleep and the lassie’s win away
And she’ll go no more to Conlon for the winter time to lie

Well I’d rather be in Duffus Land a selling of me ale
Then to be with Walter Leslie for all his old meal
For all his old meal and so many they come to buy
But I’ll go no more to Conlon for the winter time to lie

It wasn’t for her beauty nor for her noble blood
But for her mother’s money and of it he had great need
Of it he had great need but he now must do them by
For she’ll go no more to Conlon for the winter time to lie

credits

from "Pick of the Literal", released August 7, 2018

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Sean T. Smith Boston, Massachusetts

Sean Smith has been playing folk music since his teens, with a focus on the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and England in particular. He's been active in the Greater Boston music scene since the early '80s, and been part of numerous collaborations. He also writes about music for BostonIrish.com, helps organize an annual Celtic music festival, and has been known to drink Ballantine Ale. ... more

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