The Gallowa Hills
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1953.239.B1
Original Tape ID
Summary
In this song, the singer asks a pretty girl to come with him and share his lot in a strange country, to which she agrees, saying that she will sell her possessions and they will go over the hills to Galloway.
Contributor learned the song from her mother. Jimmy Whyte also sings the song.
Item Notes
3 verses 4 lines; chorus after verse 1.
'The Gallowa Hills' is believed to have originated from a song by William Nicholson (15th August 1783 - 16th May 1849) called 'The Braes of Galloway', first published in his 'Tales in Verse, and Miscellaneous Poems descriptive of Rural Life and Manners' (1814). 20th century versions appear to stem from broadsides in the late 19th century.
See:
'101 Scottish Songs' (N. Buchan, 1962) p. 102
National Library of Scotland, Broadside Ballad collection, RB.m.143(119)
'Jeannie Robertson: Emergent Singer, Transformative Voice' (J. Porter & H. Gower, 1995) pp. 171-172
'Tales in Verse, and Miscellaneous Poems descriptive of Rural Life and Manners' (W. Nicholson, 1814), pp. 262-263
Recording Location
County - Midlothian
Parish - Edinburgh
Village/Place - Edinburgh
Item Location
Village/Place - Galloway
Language
Scots
Genre
Collection
Classification
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair