My Son David

Contributors

Robertson, Jeannie, 1908-1975 (525)

Fieldworkers

Henderson, Hamish, 1919-2002 (10)

Date June 1960

Track ID 76318

Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1960.111.A6

Original Tape ID

SA1960.111

Summary

The mother asks her son whose blood is on his sword and does not believe him when he says it is the blood of his mare or greyhound. He then tells her it is the blood of his brother, who drew his sword on him. He will go away in a bottomless boat and will not come home until the sun and moon meet in the glen (i.e. never).

Item Notes

9 verses. Fratricide ballad also known as 'Edward'.

See:
'Ancient & Modern Scottish Songs' vol. 1 (Herd, 1869, 1973) pp. 63-65
'Scottish Songs' vol. 2 (Ritson, 1794, 1869) pp. 480-482

Recording Location

County - Aberdeenshire

Parish - Aberdeen

Village/Place - Aberdeen

Language

Scots

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good