The Twa Corbies
Contributors
Fieldworkers
Date
1958
Track ID
39742
Part 1
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1958.198.A9
Original Tape ID
Summary
The singer hears two corbies [crows] debating where to eat, whether by the sea or on the rowan tree. One says that yesterday he flapped his wings and caused a ship to sink and there are three sailors' bodies to eat. Near at hand there is a newly killed knight slain without a chance to defend himself, whose hound and hawk have gone hunting and his lady has taken another mate. The crows will pick out his eyes and use his head and chin hair for their nests.
Item Notes
10 verses of varying length and scansion. Very unusual text, which suggests the crows have power to sink ships. Not the Breton tune.
Language
Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good