Geordie
Joan Baez Lyrics

As I walked out over London bridge
The singer sets the scene of her eavesdropping on a fair maid who is mourning her lover, Geordie.

One misty morning early,
The time of day and weather conditions are set, emphasizing the melancholic mood of the story.

I overheard a fair pretty maid
The singer specifies the individual from whom she hears the lament of Geordie's lover - a beautiful and fair maiden.

Was lamenting for her Geordie.
The fair maiden is grieving over the fate of her lover, Geordie, who is soon to be executed.

Ah, my Geordie will be hanged in a golden chain,
The fair maiden expresses her sorrow at Geordie's imminent death, which will be carried out in a manner symbolized by the luxurious chain around his neck.

'Tis not the chain of many
The fair maiden emphasizes the rarity and exclusivity of the chain that Geordie will be hanged with.

He was born of king's royal breed
The origin of Geordie's noble bloodline is revealed, suggesting that his execution will be an unjust waste of royal talent.

And lost to a virtuous lady.
Geordie was separated from his virtuous lover for unknown reasons, leaving her to mourn his death.

Go bridle me my milk white steed,
The fair maiden prepares to ride to London court to plead for Geordie's life, summoning her horse for the journey.

Go bridle me my pony,
In addition to the milk-white steed, the fair maiden also saddles up her sturdy pony, ready for the ride.

I will ride to London court
The fair maiden intends to make her plea to the judge in person at the London court, hoping to save Geordie from his execution.

To plead for the life of my Geordie.
The ultimate goal of the fair maiden's journey is to save Geordie from his imminent execution and reunite them.

Ah, my Geordie never stole nor cow nor calf,
The fair maid attests to Geordie's innocence and integrity, pointing out that he had never stolen anything before.

He never hurted any,
The fair maiden asserts that Geordie had never caused harm to others in any form.

Stole sixteen of the king's royal deer,
The crime for which Geordie has been sentenced to death is revealed, involving the theft and sale of sixteen deer belonging to the royalty.

And he sold them in Bohenny.
The location where Geordie sold the stolen deer is mentioned, further implicating him in the crime and his fate.

Two pretty babies have I born,
The fair maiden reveals that she has borne two children with Geordie, highlighting the tragedy of their separation by his impending death.

The third lies in my body,
The fair maiden explains that she is currently pregnant with their third child, adding more emotional weight to her plea for mercy.

I'd freely part with them every one
The fair maiden makes a heart-wrenching statement, saying that she is willing to give up all of her children if it means saving Geordie's life.

If you'd spare the life of Geordie.
The fair maiden makes her desperate plea to the judge to spare Geordie's life, even at the cost of her own family.

The judge looked over his left shoulder,
The judge's physical motion is described as he considers the fair maiden's plea, adding tension to the scene.

He said fair maid I'm sorry
The judge expresses his regrets to the fair maiden about not being able to grant Geordie clemency.

He said fair maid you must be gone
The judge orders the fair maiden to leave his court, indicating the finality and hopelessness of the situation.

For I cannot pardon Geordie.
The judge delivers the final verdict, stating that Geordie must be executed and that his sentence cannot be overturned.