The dreadful end of Marianna for sorcery, Eday, 11th July 2009

http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/ORKNEYSINGERS/
Aimee Leonard (bodhran), Sarah Jane Gibbon and Emily Turton sing a composition by Karine Polwart (featured on Scottish folk supergroup Malinkys cd Last Leaves) at the Orkney Singers Big Orkney Song Project SongShare event in Eday on Saturday 11th July 2009. Karine very kindly gave her permission for the inclusion of "The dreadful end of Marianna for sorcery" in our project because its inspiration came from a short story written by George Mackay Brown (locally known as GMB), world famous Orcadian writer. Entitled "Witch", it tells the gruesome story of Marian Isbister, a girl of 18 years in service to the farm of Howe. First published in GMB's "A Calendar of Love and other stories" (1967), the story also features in other GMB publications.




The dreadful end of Marianna for sorcery
Words and music: Karine Polwart (from Malinkys 2000 album Last Leaves)
Inspired by George Mackay Browns short story Witch, set on Hoy

Marianna o' the Howe was a young lassie wi' gowden hair
Sweet and honest, true and bonnie, and lover of one John Sinclair
Marianna met the factor at the dawning, at the fold
And he said, "Lie with me now, Marianna, and you will not want for gold"

"Well, I thank you for your offer, but I fear it canna be.
I maun lie with John Sinclair, for he's the only one for me"
So the factor, sore affronted, whispered evil of her name
Every sorrow and misfortune 'twas Marianna was to blame

Soon there came a deputation Marianna for to see
For to slight her reputation, "The de'il has laid his hands on ye
Ye've soured the cream and blighted the corn and danced wi' fairies on the hill
Ye who are of devil born and ye who bow to no man's will"

Seven evenings, seven mornings they spoke of Marianna ill
There they shamed her, stripped her and maimed her, but they never tamed her will
"Let her sweetness not deceive you, evil hides itself right well
Once within, it will never leave you, Marianna, you'll burn in hell"

"Who are these who stand against me? Who are these who slight my name?
Let them tell their lies before God and let them hang their heads in shame"
Then she saw a sight that grieved her, all the hope inside her died
John Sinclair all clad in satin standing at the factor's side

"I was child and now a woman, but I shall be no man's wife
For my love has me forsaken, and I want no more of this life"
They've shorn the hair from Marianna, the witch's snare o' gowden thread
Marched her tae the Gallowsha' and whipped her sair until she bled

In the crowd she spied her lover, and he had his new coat on
Soon the flames danced all above her, and the people danced 'til the dawn
Marianna o' the Howe, was a young lassie wi' gowden hair
Sweet and honest, true and bonnie, betrayed by the factor and John Sinclair

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Orkney
• Hoy
• Karine Polwart
• Aimee Leonard
• Emily Turton
• Sarah Jane Gibbon

[thehighlandsarealive]

This is great! I'll be coming to live in Orkney in 3 years! Hopefully you'll still be putting on performances?

[Safka55]

Lovely sound and great to see Aimee Leonard and her bodhran again (not seen her since that great little band Anam disappeared from the scene).

[gusthelesswise]

This is great stuff. I love the folky feel at the start with just the first voice and the bodhran. Turns into an acapella a bit when the second voice comes in, though their all wonderful singers. Nice work ladies.