"The Bonny Hind" (Roud 205, Child 50) is a traditional English-language folk song.Francis James Child, English and Scottish Popular Ballads, "The Bonny Hind"
Synopsis A squire persuades a maiden to lie with him. Afterward, she asks his name, and he reveals that he is a lord's son. She calls him a liar: she is that lord's daughter. The horror-struck son reveals that he was long at sea. She stabs herself to death, and he buries her. He goes home and grieves for a "bonny hind" whatever his father can do to distract him.
Recordings
June Tabor, Abyssinians (1983) Ewan MacColl, Blood & Roses Volume 4 (1986) Martin Carthy, Signs of Life (1998) Michael John Harris & Martyn Bates, Murder Ballads (Incest Songs) (1998)
See also Ballads on a similar theme: "The Bonnie Banks o' Fordie" "Sheath and Knife" "The King's Dochter Lady Jean" "Lizie Wan"
References