I've got news for you all. I have read about all of the Child ballads, the five-volume set, over and over again for 35 years. If a woman got pregnant out of wedlock, her own family burned her as a "whore." And if she went to bed with a man before marriage, and they found out about it, hey also burned her at the stake. If she refused to marry whom her parents wanted, they often beat her to death. Women had no rights. Read "Mill o'Teftys Annie."
I have this song on a recent release by Sheena Wellington (Greentrax 2003). Words are pretty much identical and included on the CD. There are also notes saying that witch burnings certainly occurred in Dundee, including women who had consorted with English soldiers after the Siege of Dundee in 1651. No record of Susie Cleland, though.
Believe it or not, this is a true story - Susie Cleland was, apparently, burnt at the stake for the crime of "disobedience". Jean Redpath's voice is too lovely, here, to convey the horror the song conveys.
@Lisnageeragh I learnt it from a guy who appeared at our local folk club once a year. It took two listenings for me to get it down, so if you were to listen to it four or five times, I'm sure you'd have it down pat. As you can probably tell, I'm a great fan of learning things via "the folk process" and not from books. Some songs I sing have been cobbled together from four or five versions and are uniquely my own - BUT I think that's the way it's supposed to work.
@CinnAlla Thank you! Google is not always the best though ....I know from seeing some offerings for Irish wordings and contexts. This is a wonderful song so well sung.
@crlcripps As a Taysider myself, I spent some time researching this song. It's a version of Child Ballad 65, known as "Lady Maisry". In fact there appears to be no record of such an incident in Dundee.
Yes, you are right! This is a sad history of women, which is felt by us all thanks to the beautifully sad voice of Jean Redpath.
handmlove 3 weeks ago
I've got news for you all. I have read about all of the Child ballads, the five-volume set, over and over again for 35 years. If a woman got pregnant out of wedlock, her own family burned her as a "whore." And if she went to bed with a man before marriage, and they found out about it, hey also burned her at the stake. If she refused to marry whom her parents wanted, they often beat her to death. Women had no rights. Read "Mill o'Teftys Annie."
astrolog7000 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
MrYthanside 7 months ago
I have this song on a recent release by Sheena Wellington (Greentrax 2003). Words are pretty much identical and included on the CD. There are also notes saying that witch burnings certainly occurred in Dundee, including women who had consorted with English soldiers after the Siege of Dundee in 1651. No record of Susie Cleland, though.
ddinnewyork 1 year ago
Believe it or not, this is a true story - Susie Cleland was, apparently, burnt at the stake for the crime of "disobedience". Jean Redpath's voice is too lovely, here, to convey the horror the song conveys.
crlcripps 2 years ago
@crlcripps This is a wonderful song and a great rendition ....where could one get the words?
Lisnageeragh 1 year ago
@Lisnageeragh I learnt it from a guy who appeared at our local folk club once a year. It took two listenings for me to get it down, so if you were to listen to it four or five times, I'm sure you'd have it down pat. As you can probably tell, I'm a great fan of learning things via "the folk process" and not from books. Some songs I sing have been cobbled together from four or five versions and are uniquely my own - BUT I think that's the way it's supposed to work.
carollizc 1 year ago
Comment removed
Lisnageeragh 1 year ago
@Lisnageeragh A simple answer - google! You'll certainly find the words as sung on a later recording by Cilla Fisher.
CinnAlla 1 year ago
@CinnAlla I love the Cilla/Artie version...but God is this version beautiful.
kenrubes 1 year ago
@kenrubes Indeed it is
CinnAlla 1 year ago
Comment removed
Lisnageeragh 1 year ago
@CinnAlla Thank you! Google is not always the best though ....I know from seeing some offerings for Irish wordings and contexts. This is a wonderful song so well sung.
Very interested in the Lady Maisry connection.
Lisnageeragh 1 year ago
@crlcripps As a Taysider myself, I spent some time researching this song. It's a version of Child Ballad 65, known as "Lady Maisry". In fact there appears to be no record of such an incident in Dundee.
CinnAlla 1 year ago