This song ' Anarchie Gordon' is featured on Mary's eponymous debut album dating from 1983. It is the 6th and longest track on the album lasting 6 mins 32 secs. She has now recorded a song that updates this theme of doomed lovers in the Ricky Lynch song ' Marguerite And The Gambler' which is the opening track on her new album ' Stories From The Steeples' an album I highly recommend.
This song ' Anachie Gordon' is featured on Mary's eponymous debut album dating from 1983. It is the 6th and longest track on the album lasting 6 mins 32 secs. She has now recorded a song that updates this theme of doomed lovers in the Ricky Lynch song ' Marguerite And The Gambler, which is the opening track on her new album ' Storeies From The Steeples' an album I highly recommend.
There is only one and always only will be one Mary Black !!! She is a treasure and our finest male singer to date - she had taken songs from soooooo many songwriters and made them her own - like Jimmy Mc Carthy , Noel Brazil , Sandy Denny, Shane Howard, David Gray, John Gorka , Philip Begley etc etc etc - the women is a gift !
This is a Child Ballard. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
This is a Child Ballard. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
This is a Child Ballard and originated in Aberdeenshire. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
Same culture and people, so it is hardly a stretch - either way we are fortunate to have such a beautiful song and wonderful singers who can do it justice regardless of what part of a map they come from.
I prefer Loreena McKennitt's version because her voice is amazing and it's harpistry gives it a more traditional and haunting air. It actually hurts to listen to it. This is quite good as well. Thanks for your comments daver and kempton. They shed some light on the song's origin.
It has been suggested that most of the recent recordings are based on Nic Jones's version. They use the place-name "Harking" (which doesn't exist) instead of "Buchan" (which does exist, in Aberdeenshire). Mary Black has perhaps mis-heard Nic Jones. There is no known historical basis for the ballad, but the place name Buchan would place it in the north of Scotland.
According to the Columbia State University website, it is "Possibly related to the Swedish ballad "Stolt Ingrid [Proud Ingrid]".
This is a lovely song. I am somewhat at a loss why the lyrics are usually garbled. This is Child Ballad 239; the first line should be "Buchan is bonnie . . ." And it is not "Lord Sultan" but Lord Saltoun, a title held by the Abernathy and Fraser families from the 15th century to the present day. I feel fairly certain that this ballad has an historical basis, but have been unable to find it. It was not published until the 19th century, but stylistically would seem to date from the 1600's.
@daver852 Indeed. This song has all the hallmarks of the ballad form for which the North-East of Scotland is famous. Buchan is a town by the sea south of Peterhead, hence the reference to 'sands' and sea-faring. The Frasers were a dominant clan in the Grampian (NE) district. Finally 'Gordon' is a common surname in that part of the world and 'Jeannie' a common christian name.
@Slievedubh There is no town of Buchan. Buchan is the area north of Aberdeen stretching up along the coast as far as the Moray Firth,and inland too A great farming and fishing area. Gordon is not only a common name in the area, it is the centre of the area occupied by the Gordon clan, who were the most powerful clan in the North East, in fact one of the most powerful in Scotland - the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire was where they had their main centre of power.
The early songs of Mary are my favourites. I think as she became more and more famous, there was something lost in this process. Perhaps it was the arrangements of later songs, more pop and not in this pure folk voice she had in the early days.
shes amazing god how young she was there!!! i love to learn all the old irish songs i now afew but thers so many and there all gorgeous where would ya start really?? lol xX
Thanks for posting. My brother had "Chrisy Moore and Friends" on vinyl back in the 1980's and this was the standout track for me from a host of fantastic talent. I'd even venture that the vinyl recording was the live one.
didn't honestly think this would be as good as the unthanks version but after listening i think it's better.
leolodreamland 2 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This song ' Anarchie Gordon' is featured on Mary's eponymous debut album dating from 1983. It is the 6th and longest track on the album lasting 6 mins 32 secs. She has now recorded a song that updates this theme of doomed lovers in the Ricky Lynch song ' Marguerite And The Gambler' which is the opening track on her new album ' Stories From The Steeples' an album I highly recommend.
nicefrog45 3 months ago
This song ' Anachie Gordon' is featured on Mary's eponymous debut album dating from 1983. It is the 6th and longest track on the album lasting 6 mins 32 secs. She has now recorded a song that updates this theme of doomed lovers in the Ricky Lynch song ' Marguerite And The Gambler, which is the opening track on her new album ' Storeies From The Steeples' an album I highly recommend.
nicefrog45 3 months ago
Saw her sing Annachie in the SFX in the late 80's. Declan Sinnott stayed silent on stage. Great singing by Mary. You could hear a pin drop.
SparePartsII 4 months ago
Classic !!! love it
briener08 4 months ago
There is only one and always only will be one Mary Black !!! She is a treasure and our finest male singer to date - she had taken songs from soooooo many songwriters and made them her own - like Jimmy Mc Carthy , Noel Brazil , Sandy Denny, Shane Howard, David Gray, John Gorka , Philip Begley etc etc etc - the women is a gift !
nannerbj 6 months ago
@nannerbj - that's, "female" singer..
ChingChang148 2 months ago
my love anarchy
kraexaie 8 months ago
Sorry don't know why this posted three times!
kudu42 9 months ago
This is a Child Ballard. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
kudu42 9 months ago
This is a Child Ballard. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
kudu42 9 months ago
This is a Child Ballard and originated in Aberdeenshire. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
kudu42 9 months ago
Scottish, not Irish. Beautiful song.
justakapusta 10 months ago
@justakapusta
Same culture and people, so it is hardly a stretch - either way we are fortunate to have such a beautiful song and wonderful singers who can do it justice regardless of what part of a map they come from.
ThomasSheridanArts 7 months ago
What a lovely voice!!
Beautiful clip. Thanks for posting.
jedmarum 11 months ago
Her voice remembers me Joan Baez.
bipolarisfm 1 year ago
Excellent!
TheGuitarjerry1126 1 year ago
who would of thought she would've turned into queen mary, the most feared woman in irish music for a couple of decades.............
aidodang 1 year ago
its an amazing song..it was recorded on an album called christy moore and friends
anthonydoyle18 1 year ago
i love this song and managed to sing it to a t after years of practice it has a lot of sentiments if thats the right word in my young life
tiggerquinner 1 year ago
i love this song and managed to sing it to a t after years of practice it has a lot of sentiments if thats the right word in mt young life
tiggerquinner 1 year ago
it's a scottish song though.
jack834834 1 year ago
My son just found this and sent me the url. I've been looking for it for over twenty years. She is the consummate interpreter of this song.
ETMcNabbJr 1 year ago
Brilliant performance. Right up there with Nic Jones' rendition in my opinion. :)
wrongwayup 1 year ago
great tune but its not an irish ballad its scottish.
Kevo3210 1 year ago
Did she record a cd?
countrydawn418 1 year ago 2
@countrydawn418
Yes it's in a cd, but i dont remember which one. Maybe her first o second album
Donegal 1 year ago
@Donegal
It's on her self titled cd " Mary Black". An excellent recording!
longrubbers 3 months ago
@countrydawn418
Yes but this live version is better and it is on a record called Christy Moore and Friends which I have seen on ebay now and again.
ThomasSheridanArts 7 months ago
Simple Celtic music as i love! better than LM version!
countrydawn418 1 year ago
Cool version can i find on a cd?
countrydawn418 1 year ago
I never tire of hearing this version. The beautiful combination of the voice and guitar create a very pure sound and are entrancing. Thank you.
michelstrogoff99 1 year ago
I prefer Loreena McKennitt's version because her voice is amazing and it's harpistry gives it a more traditional and haunting air. It actually hurts to listen to it. This is quite good as well. Thanks for your comments daver and kempton. They shed some light on the song's origin.
ExcelsiorW 1 year ago
i'm named after this song. my name is annachie
annachiebp 2 years ago 12
@annachiebp
awesome.
it's what i fancy calling my son if i have one.
did you know that it's a place in scotland?
tickleperson2 1 year ago
@annachiebp
my baby brother was named after this song :3
adiaax 5 months ago
It has been suggested that most of the recent recordings are based on Nic Jones's version. They use the place-name "Harking" (which doesn't exist) instead of "Buchan" (which does exist, in Aberdeenshire). Mary Black has perhaps mis-heard Nic Jones. There is no known historical basis for the ballad, but the place name Buchan would place it in the north of Scotland.
According to the Columbia State University website, it is "Possibly related to the Swedish ballad "Stolt Ingrid [Proud Ingrid]".
kemptonjones 2 years ago
This is a lovely song. I am somewhat at a loss why the lyrics are usually garbled. This is Child Ballad 239; the first line should be "Buchan is bonnie . . ." And it is not "Lord Sultan" but Lord Saltoun, a title held by the Abernathy and Fraser families from the 15th century to the present day. I feel fairly certain that this ballad has an historical basis, but have been unable to find it. It was not published until the 19th century, but stylistically would seem to date from the 1600's.
daver852 2 years ago
@daver852 Indeed. This song has all the hallmarks of the ballad form for which the North-East of Scotland is famous. Buchan is a town by the sea south of Peterhead, hence the reference to 'sands' and sea-faring. The Frasers were a dominant clan in the Grampian (NE) district. Finally 'Gordon' is a common surname in that part of the world and 'Jeannie' a common christian name.
Slievedubh 1 year ago
@Slievedubh There is no town of Buchan. Buchan is the area north of Aberdeen stretching up along the coast as far as the Moray Firth,and inland too A great farming and fishing area. Gordon is not only a common name in the area, it is the centre of the area occupied by the Gordon clan, who were the most powerful clan in the North East, in fact one of the most powerful in Scotland - the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire was where they had their main centre of power.
bobknightfolk 1 year ago
@bobknightfolk Most powerful untill the duke of Cumberland arrived
satyrix1 1 year ago
@satyrix1 Which clan was he a member of? :)
bobknightfolk 1 year ago
Her voice is the perfect instrument.
Hark815 2 years ago
Mary at her finest.....voice in perfect form.
(I wish I could sing like this!)
The early songs of Mary are my favourites. I think as she became more and more famous, there was something lost in this process. Perhaps it was the arrangements of later songs, more pop and not in this pure folk voice she had in the early days.
folkmusicgirl 2 years ago 2
A beautiful song and Mary has a wonderful, clear voice!
redbranchmd 2 years ago
such a beautiful and clear and classic voice :)
why do ppl not sound like this now?
janeEyreAddict 2 years ago
i met her with De dannan in the 80s. lovely singer
killiekentman 2 years ago
i met her with D
killiekentman 2 years ago
very nice
drnorris56 2 years ago
Lovely song - beautifully performed
jedmarum 2 years ago
just beautiful.....
blueskymaiden 2 years ago
I love it..
roublar93 2 years ago
Very beautiful, what a lovely voice.
josparkes1 2 years ago
this is beautiful...thanks for posting I was going to but youve done a perfect job already!
joeygsmom 2 years ago
shes amazing god how young she was there!!! i love to learn all the old irish songs i now afew but thers so many and there all gorgeous where would ya start really?? lol xX
kierabyrne09 2 years ago
its a scottish song :)
irishuna 2 years ago
well spotted.
can we pretend its a dalriada tune?
then it can be both.
i know it's not but my mum is scottish and my dad is from irish from belfast so i like the idea of dalriada.
tickleperson2 2 years ago
Thanks for posting. My brother had "Chrisy Moore and Friends" on vinyl back in the 1980's and this was the standout track for me from a host of fantastic talent. I'd even venture that the vinyl recording was the live one.
bmoregan 2 years ago
Yes, a unique experience. Lots for me to learn from this version. Thank you for posting.
michelstrogoff99 2 years ago
I've been looking for Mary Black singing this song for ages. Thank you so much for posting it!
dianabarshaw 2 years ago
she definitely got better looking as the years went on...
plopshot3 2 years ago
So moving...and just flawless....
tigerishirish69 2 years ago
It's a haunting Scottish song but Mary sings it beautifully as did Nic Jones in the 60's
vjc1eng 2 years ago 10
I love how she sings this, too
carjpie 2 years ago
Gosh, such a long, awesome song. Idk how she memorizes all the lines lol. Idk how singers of ballads can do that
carjpie 2 years ago
Classic Irish Balad ????
r0thman5 2 years ago
Fan-tastic! :)
Tia1ko 2 years ago