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MARY HAMILTON (7) I once was a Mary but I know not when I took my delight with the highest of men When they asked for a maid it seems there were twenty I'm sure they'd not miss just one pregnant lady But I was reduced to hide in the halls My love wouldn't take me to court or to balls I sued for support but I couldn't get any It was then that I thought I'd be rid of the baby I went to Russia & I went to France At the court of the Queens I played them at chance The Marys all there, they were all against me If I'd only shared my Grand Apothecary Now I will not weep nor will I moan For I know I'll be thought of in ballad & song If you know my last name give it back to my baby The baby's not dead only her mother the Lady Mary Stuart while in France (1548-1561) was attended by 4 Marys of the houses of Fleming, Livingston, Seton & Beaton of Creich. In 1563 in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, a French waiting maid who was involved with the Queen's apothecary was hung for the murder of her newborn child. Skip forward to the year 1718 or 19 in the court of Peter the Great we find Mary Hamilton, a maid of honor to Empress Catharine, was also involved with a high born, she too hung for the murder of her child. The song has been found prior to the Mary Hamilton murder of 1718. To the Scottish tune of "Soldier Laddie". Child #173 relative filename[ MARYHAM7 BF Feb07  8note Sheet |
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