down is simply a (now rather archaic) word for hill. The song is a variant of Child 217 / Roud 92 called "Broom of Cowdenknowes", an area south-east of Edinburgh. So logic would say that these are generic "downs" and not what we call "the Downs" today.
@SJMAWSON77 Oh right I get you. My mistake was thinking 'downs' was a region specific term for hill from the past. In the same way that say 'fell' is now a somewhat region specific term. I like to picture what the words are referring to so thanks for putting me straight. I think the lyric and ballad are great.
Just as a matter of observation the song talks about the Downs which are two ranges of hills that run across the south eastern countys of England from west to east so in this case the picture of the very beautiful Urqhart Castle, which is in Scotland, is a little misleading and doesn't quite conjure up the right image for this ballad. ps. excellent post though. thanks.
The song is Scotch; off the cuff, I think the downs are not a reference to the North or South Downs in England, but the Scottish Lowlands in the south. Ditto 'the bonniest lass in all the south country'; the country referred to is Scotland not England.
One of my TOP favorites of all time. This song had a transforming effect on me when I first heard it many years ago. June Tabor... an amazing artist. God bless her.
down is simply a (now rather archaic) word for hill. The song is a variant of Child 217 / Roud 92 called "Broom of Cowdenknowes", an area south-east of Edinburgh. So logic would say that these are generic "downs" and not what we call "the Downs" today.
SJMAWSON77 4 months ago
@SJMAWSON77 Oh right I get you. My mistake was thinking 'downs' was a region specific term for hill from the past. In the same way that say 'fell' is now a somewhat region specific term. I like to picture what the words are referring to so thanks for putting me straight. I think the lyric and ballad are great.
itsinmynamechap 4 months ago
This song is amazing. Can't figure out a way to play it nicely on one guitar though. Good post with the lyrics too.
copyalater 7 months ago
Just as a matter of observation the song talks about the Downs which are two ranges of hills that run across the south eastern countys of England from west to east so in this case the picture of the very beautiful Urqhart Castle, which is in Scotland, is a little misleading and doesn't quite conjure up the right image for this ballad. ps. excellent post though. thanks.
itsinmynamechap 1 year ago
The song is Scotch; off the cuff, I think the downs are not a reference to the North or South Downs in England, but the Scottish Lowlands in the south. Ditto 'the bonniest lass in all the south country'; the country referred to is Scotland not England.
SJMAWSON77 5 months ago
@SJMAWSON77 Hello. Are the lowland hills in Scotland referred to as downs or The Downs?
itsinmynamechap 5 months ago
this is truly excellent. a bit of a gem.
itsinmynamechap 1 year ago
One of my TOP favorites of all time. This song had a transforming effect on me when I first heard it many years ago. June Tabor... an amazing artist. God bless her.
mojojee 1 year ago
Loove that ballad. I haven't heard it in about fifteen years. Thanks so much. She sings it so well.
scifiwritir 2 years ago
Can someone tell me where that magical castle is in the video? Thanks ;)
gnomebottom 2 years ago
Urquhart Castle, on the south shore of Loch Ness.
boguspurr 2 years ago
Has someone got the tabs for this or at least an idea for the tuning? I play this in standard capo 2nd fret, but its not the same... thanks anyway
cajunagent 2 years ago
@cajunagent - at a guess this is in CGCGCD...
Cheers,
Jon
DrStrangetrousers 2 years ago
This video was great; good images, and nice font for the lyrics
peskirabbit 2 years ago
The track is from her album "Airs and Graces", the guitarist is Nic Jones.
jkiparsk 3 years ago
you cant get better guitar backing than this
ramron333 2 years ago
Superb.What a performance.One of our finest.
flatus69 3 years ago 2