Helen of Kirkconnell
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1973.74.A3
Original Tape ID
Summary
Fragment of a tragic ballad in which the singer laments the death of his sweetheart. She died in his arms after receiving a mortal wound from a shot fired at him by a jeaous rival. He pursued the murderer and hacked him to death. He now longs for her.
Item Notes
Robert Chambers ('Songs of Scotland' p. 144) recounts the commonly-held belief that this ballad relates to events in the 16th century involving a young woman named Helen Irving of Kirkconnel and her lover, Adam Fleming of Kirkpatrick; while the two were walking one day, a jealous rival aimed a shot at Fleming; Helen stepped in front of the shot and died in his arms.
Item Subject/Person
Irving, Helen
Recording Location
County - Sutherland
Parish - Farr
Village/Place - Strath Halladale, Trantlebeg
Language
English
Genre
Collection
Classification
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good