Synopsis

An outlaw comes upon three sisters in the woods. He threatens each one in turn to make her marry him. The first two refuse and are killed. The third threatens him with her brother or brothers. He asks after them and discovers that he is the brother. He commits suicide.

Versions

Dick Gaughan

Dick Gaughan

Richard Peter Gaughan usually known as Dick Gaughan is a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter, particularly of folk and social protest songs.-Early years:...

 features it on his album No More Forever

Broadside Electric

Broadside Electric

Broadside Electric are an American electric folk band from Philadelphia. Formed in 1990, they are still active in 2011...

 included it in the 1996 album More Bad News ...

More Bad News ...

More Bad News ... is the title of the third album by Broadside Electric. It was released on June 18, 1996 in the United States. Currently out of print, it has recently become available once again via several popular online music retailers.-Track listing:...

Malinky

Malinky

Malinky is a Scottish folk band specialising in Scots song.Formed in autumn 1998, the original members were Karine Polwart from Banknock, Stirlingshire , Steve Byrne from Arbroath , Mark Dunlop from Garryduff, Co...

 played a version, called The Bonnie Banks O Fordie, on their 2005 album The Unseen Hours

Nic Jones

Nic Jones

Nicolas Paul "Nic" Jones is an English folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist and fiddle player whose professional career spanned the years 1964-1982. He recorded five solo albums, and was a frequent guest performer.-Biography:...

 version of the song, Banks of Fordie, is included on his 2006 compilation Game Set Match

John Jacob Niles

John Jacob Niles

John Jacob Niles was an American composer, singer, and collector of traditional ballads. Called the "Dean of American Balladeers", Niles was an important influence on the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, with Joan Baez, Burl Ives, and Peter, Paul and Mary, among others,...

 version of Bonny Farday, is included in his album, My Precarious Life in the Public Domain, and is printed in The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles

Old Blind Dogs

Old Blind Dogs

Old Blind Dogs is a Scottish musical group which plays traditional Scottish folk music and Celtic music, with influences from rock, reggae, jazz, blues and Middle Eastern music rhythms...

version of "The Bonnie Banks O' Fordie" is included on their 1992 album, "New Tricks"

External links

• Bonny Farday, an American variant
• The Bonnie Banks o Fordie with music and commentary