Eppie Morrie

Contributors

MacColl, Ewan, 1915-1989 (766)

Fieldworkers

Henderson, Hamish, 1919-2002 (10) Anthony, James Kent Farmer, 1921-2003 (604)

Date August 1953

Track ID 41626

Part 1

Part 2

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1953.243.A8

Original Tape ID

SA1953.243

Summary

In this ballad, Eppie Morrie is abducted by Willie, who intends to marry her by force. He threatens a minister with his pistol, demanding that he marry the pair; the minister refuses, saying he will not perform a marriage unless the girl consents. Taking her to bed, Willie tries to force himself upon her, but she resists, saying: "Before I lose my maidenheid / I'll fecht wi you till day." In the morning, Eppie Morrie is still a virgin and is rescued by John Forsyth of Breadalbane.

Item Notes

20 verses of 5 lines; tape fades out during verse 17, then resumes during a repeat of the song, starting again from verse 11.

See:
'Scotland Sings' (E. MacColl, 1953) pp. 22-24
'Scottish Ballad Book' (N. Buchan, 1973) pp. 127-129
'Singing Island' (E. MacColl & P. Seeger, 1960) p. 32
'Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads' vol. 3 (B. H. Bronson & F. J. Child, 1959) pp. 361-362

Item Subject/Person

Morrie, Eppie

Recording Location

County - Midlothian

Parish - Edinburgh

Village/Place - Edinburgh

Item Location

County - Aberdeenshire

Parish - Strathdon

Language

Scots

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Fair