J. F. Campbell Collection > Minstrelsy of the Scottish border

MINSTRELSY OF THE SCOTTISH BORDER.
THE FRAY OF SUPORT.
AV ANCIENT BORDEH GATHERING SONG.
FROJI TRADITIO.V.
Of all tlie border ditties, which have fallen into the editor's hands, this is
by far the most uncouth and savage. It is usually chaunted in a sort of vnld
recitative, except the burden, which swells into a long and varied howl, not
unlike to a view hollo'. The words, and the very gi-eat irregularity of the
stanza (if it deserves the name), sufficiently point out its intention and origin.
An English woman, residing in Suport, near the foot of the Kershoi)e, ha\-iug
been plimdered in the night by a baud of the Scottish moss-troopers, is sup-
posed to convoke her servants and friends for the jnirsuit, or Hot Trod;
upbraiding them, at the same time, in homely phrase, for their negligence
and security. The Hot Trod was followed by the persons who had lost goods,
with blood-hounds and horns, to raise the country to help. They also used
to carry a burning wisp of straw at a spear head, and to raise a cry, similar
to the Indian war-whoop. It appears, from articles made by the wardens of
the English marches, September 12th, in 6th of Edward VI. that aU, on this
cry being raised, were obliged to follow the fray, or chase, under pain of
death. With these explanations, the general purport of the ballad may be
easily discovered, though particular passages have become inexplicable, pro-
bably through corruptions introduced by reciters. The present cojiy is
corrected from foiir copies, which diiFered widely from each other.
Sleep'ry Sim of the Lamb-hill,
And snoring Jock of Suport-mill,
Ye are baith right het and fou' ; —
But my wae wakens na you.
Last night I saw a sorry sight —
Nought left me, o' four-and-twenty gude ouscn and ky
IMy weel-riddcn gelding, and a white quey,
But a toom bp-e and a wide.
And the twelve nogs * on ilka side.
Fy lads ! shout a' a' a' a' a',
My gear's a' gaue.
* Stakes.