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"Cam Ye O'er Frae France" is a satirical Jacobite song about Goerge I.
The tune is a version of "The Keys to the Cellar". It is also related to "Jack Lintel's Jigg" and "Boban John". It was recorded by Ewan MacColl on The Jacobite Rebellions, The album notes commented: "When George the First imported his seraglio of impoverished gentlewomen from Germany, he provided the Jacobite songwriters with material for some of their most ribald verses. Madame Kielmansegg, Countess of Platen, is referred to exclusively as “The Sow” in the songs, while his favourite mistress, the lean and haggard Madame Schulenburg, afterwards crested Duchess of Kendall, was given the name of “The Goose”. She is the "goosie" referred to in this song. The “blade” mentioned is the Count Königsmark. “Bobbing John” refers to John, Earl of Mar, who, at the time this song was made, was recruiting Highlanders for the Hanoverian cause. “Geordie Whelps” is, of course, George the First."It is #5814 in the Roud Folk Song Index and was printed in Hogg's Jacobite Reliques and Williamson's English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish Fiddle Tunes (1976). It was also recorded by Archie Fisher on The Fate o' Charlie, the Tannahill Weavers, Steeleye Span on Parcel of Rogues, accompanying the record's title track "Rogues in a Nation" and others. |