THE QUEEN'S MARYS

Anon

Yestreen the Queen had four Marys

The nicht she’ll hae but three,

There was Mary Seaton and Mary Beaton

And Mary Carmichael and me.

Oh, often have I dressed my Queen

And put on her braw silk gown

But all the thanks I've got tonight

Is to be hanged in Edinburgh Town

How often have I dressed my queen

And put gold on her hair

But I have got for my reward

The gallows to be my share.

Oh little did my mither ken

The day she cradled me

The land I was to travel in

The death I was to dee.

Oh, happy, happy is the maid

That's born of beauty free

It was my rosy dimpled cheeks

That's been the death o’ me.

Many people thought that the four Marys were ladies in waiting to Mary Queen of Scots, while others believed that they were at the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and that the fourth Mary was Mary Queen of Scots herself.  It’s known that, while Mary Queen of Scots was in France, she was accompanied by Mary Seaton, Mary Beaton, Mary Livingstone and Mary Fleming. Mary Hamilton has also been linked to the story. The general opinion now seems to be that the song has no historical basis.

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