English Common Law was an elegant legal construction; enshrined in the Seventh Amendment of our Constitution. Alas, English seventeenth century nobility could be above the law, as attested to in this heartbreaking story of injustice, from a soon to be widowed women.
Earliest versions date to 1600’s broadsides where one George Stoole of Northumberland was executed in 1610. (WikipediA. See Geordie (ballad).
Button above: Plays tune & chords as written. Key: A
“Child No. 209” on the song sheet refers a collection of early English songs compiled by Harvard Professor Francis James Child (1825-1896) which is regarded as a seminal work, Early English songs, The English and Scottish Ballads.