Young Emslie

Contributors

Higgins, Lizzie Ann, 1929-1993 (2900)

Fieldworkers

Munro, Ailie Edmunds, 1919-2002 (2887)

Date January 1970

Track ID 65565

Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1970.20.A2

Original Tape ID

SA1970.020

Summary

In this tragic ballad, Emslie's sweetheart Edward returns from sea with a deal of money. Fearing for his safety, she warns him not to tell her parents if he goes to the tavern. She then has a foreboding dream that Edward has been murdered, and on waking confronts her parents. They admit murdering him, and the girl has them executed.

Item Notes

8 verses of 4 lines, except verses 4 and 5 with 3 lines. Also known as 'Young Emma' and 'Edwin (Edmund) in the Lowlands Low'.

See:
'Tocher' 9 (1973) pp. 16-17
Greig-Duncan vol. 2, pp. 14-21, no. 189
'Folksongs Sung in Ulster' (R. Morton, 1970) pp. 53-54
'Jeannie Robertson' (J. Porter & H. Gower, 1995) pp. 234-236
'Sam Henry's Songs of the People' (G. Huntington, 1990) p. 434
'Folk-Song of the North-East' (G. Greig, K. Goldstein, A. Argo, 1963 reprint) art. CXXIII

Recording Location

County - Aberdeenshire

Parish - Aberdeen

Village/Place - Aberdeen

Language

English

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good