Rannsaich

Sir Hugh

Ceann-latha August 1954
Àireamh a’ chlàir 41240
Pàirt 1

fiosrachadh a' chlàraidh

Àireamh a' Chlàir Thùsail

SA1954.88.B4

Àireamh an Teip Thùsail

SA1954.088

Notaichean a' Chlàir

Approximately 6 and a half verses, although the lengths, rhythm and melody are irregular. In more complete versions of this ballad, we learn that the woman who lures the boy to his death is a "Jew's daughter". When the boy does not return home, his mother goes seeking him, and finds his corpse in the well. In the supernatural dialogue that follows, the boy's ghost instructs his mother to make preparations for his burial.

This ballad is said to reflect the circumstances surrounding the death of a young boy, Hugh of Lincoln (1247-1255), whose murdered body was found in a well. The accusation, threatening and execution of a Jewish man for this crime, coupled with the rampant anti-semitism of the time, began a pogrom in which many Jews were murdered. Hugh became a martyr for Christians, and sites he had been associated with became places of pilgrimage. In some versions, the murderer is not a Jew, but a Gypsy.

This version lacks any reference to the woman being a Jew's daughter, and differs in some details from most other versions. Usually the body is wrapped in lead.

See:
'A Scottish Ballad Book' (D. Buchan, 1973) pp. 80-81
'Andrew Crawfurd's Collection of Ballads & Songs' vol. 1 (E. Lyle,
1975) pp. 31-33
'Ancient & Modern Scottish Songs' vol. 1 (D. Herd, 1869, 1973) pp. 96-98
'A Scots Musical Museum' vol. 6 (J. Johnson & R. Burns, 1853 edition) no. 582

Àite Clàraidh

Siorrachd - Siorrachd Obar Dheathain

Paraiste - Obar Dheathain

Baile/Àite - Obar Dheathain

Cànan

Albais

Seòrsa

Òran Fiosrachadh

Cruinneachadh

SoSS

Seòrsachadh

R73 C155

Cruth Inneal a' Chlàir

Reel to reel

Càileachd an Fhuaime

Meadhanach Math