Willie and Lady Maisry

Willie and Lady Maisry, also known as William and Lady Marjorie, is an English-language traditional folk song, likely originating in Scotland. In the liner notes to folk musician Joe Rae's recording of this song, Rod Stradling writes that "Joe believes that the ballad is set in the area around Selkirk—possibly at Thirlstane Castle, in Lauderdale, to the north-east of Selkirk."

Synopsis

Willie kills the watch on Lady Maisry's father's hall to get to her chamber. After the night, her father kills him. Lady Maisry taxes him with it. He may tell her that Willie killed the guard, but she retorts that they were in armor but Willie was not.

Variants

This ballad has much in common with Clerk Saunders, with some influence from The Bent Sae Brown.