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Jingling Geordie

from Tales of Auld Reekie by Dancing with Ghosts

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about

George Heriot, goldsmith and jeweller to King James VI and founder of Heriot's School, died on the 12th of February, 1624.

George Heriot was known as Jinglin' Geordie and today, amongst other things, he's commemorated by a pub on Edinburgh's famous Fleshmarket Close that bears that moniker. How's that for fame? Geordie made his fortune as a goldsmith and jeweller, and moneylender it has to be said, though he was no ordinary loan shark. His clients were Royalty; specifically, James VI & I and his extravagant wife, Anne of Denmark.

In his novel, 'The Wisest Fool', Nigel Tranter has Jinglin' Geordie and his friend, James VI of Scotland, travelling south to London, in order for Jamie Saxt to take up the throne of England from where Elizabeth I, recently deceased, had left off. On the way down as they halted at each town or city, James conferred knighthoods on the stalwart men of Olde England. Seemingly benevolent and very Royal, you might think. But, would you believe it, James was broke and in need of sillar, so each knighthood was granted in exchange for hard cash or a promissory note, at least. Geordie was James' banker and a partner in the scam. One up to the canny Scotsmen, before they ever got near London.

Heriot's dealings with James VI & I and his Queen helped him amass a considerable fortune, and on his death, he left quite a lot of that wealth to good causes in his native Edinburgh. Both his first wife and his second, Alison Primrose, daughter of James Primrose, Clerk to the Scottish Privy Council, predeceased Heriot. So, when Heriot died, he had no legitimate heirs. In such manner was George Heriot able to become founder of Heriot's School, originally George Heriot's Hospital. As the school's website states: “For 350 years, George Heriot’s School has served as one of Scotland’s most distinguished schools.”

lyrics

The Jinglin’ Geordie 05 Karl Robins & Andy Waterhouse

If money’s short and there comes a time
When you cannae make ends meet
George Heriot is the man you need
For a service so discreet
Just seek him oot by the toon’s High Kirk
At the booth that bears his name
The goldsmith known to one and all
Lending money without shame

Chorus: Rose and Angel, the Noble too
Friends to count on there for you
With golden faces shining through
Unite for the Jinglin’ Geordie

Rose and Angel, the Noble too
Friends to count on there for you
With golden faces shining through
Unite for the Jinglin’ Geordie
Unite for the Jinglin’ Geordie

Well he’s travelling doon to Lonnan noo
To sit at the king’s right hand
Appointed goldsmith to James’s court
The finest in the land
Acknowledged by the royal pair
A token o’ their esteem
From the wisest fool in Christendom
And his wife the Danish queen

Chorus

Now the Jinglin’ Geordie is nae mair
And he’s drawn his final breath
They’ll lay him doon in St Martin’s Field
Such a gentleman in death
He’ll be remembered in his home toon
For the school that bears his name
A hospital for the poor wee bairns
Wi nae fathers, mairs the shame

Chorus

credits

from Tales of Auld Reekie, released September 14, 2017
Karl Robins guitars and vocal
Sheree Hemingway vocals
Andy waterhouse vocals
Gary Hetherington instrumentation

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Dancing with Ghosts Berwick Upon Tweed, UK

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