The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border
Encyclopedia
The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border (1802–1803) is a collection of Border ballad
s compiled by Walter Scott
. It is not to be confused with his long poem, The Lay of the Last Minstrel
. Volume I and Volume II are available as e-text.
The three volumes include such well-known ballads as
Border ballad
The English/Scottish border has a long and bloody history of conquest and reconquest, raid and counter-raid . It also has a stellar tradition of balladry, such that a whole group of songs exists that are often called "border ballads", because they were collected in that region.Border ballads, like...
s compiled by Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
. It is not to be confused with his long poem, The Lay of the Last Minstrel
The Lay of the Last Minstrel
"The Lay of the Last Minstrel" is a long narrative poem by Walter Scott. -Overview:...
. Volume I and Volume II are available as e-text.
The three volumes include such well-known ballads as
- "A Lyke-Wake DirgeLyke-Wake DirgeThe "Lyke-Wake Dirge" is a traditional English song that tells of the soul's travel, and the hazards it faces, on its way from earth to Heaven. Though the song is from the Christian era and features references to Christianity much of the symbolism is thought to be of heathen origin.-The title:The...
" (version beginning "This ae nighte, this ae nighte,/ Every nighte and alle") - "The Twa Corbies" ("As I was Walking all alane,/ I heard twa corbies making a mane")
- "Thomas RymerThomas RymerThomas Rymer , English historiographer royal, was the younger son of Ralph Rymer, lord of the manor of Brafferton in Yorkshire, described by Clarendon as possessed of a good estate, who was executed for his share in the Presbyterian rising of 1663.-Early life and education:Thomas Rymer was born at...
" ("True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank;/ A ferlie he spièd wi' his e'e") - "Lord Randal" ("'O where hae ye been, Lord Randal, my son?/ O where hae ye been, my handsome young man?'")
- "The Demon LoverThe Daemon Lover"The Daemon Lover", also known as "James Harris", "James Herries", or "The House Carpenter" is a popular English ballad. It tells the story of a man , who returns to a former lover after a very long absence, and finds her with a husband and a baby...
" ("'O where have you been, my long, long love,/ This long seven years and more?'")- Helen of KirkconnelHelen of Kirkconnel- Overview :It was published by Walter Scott in Volume 2 of The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. An early version was also published by John Mayne. It is also known as Kirkconnel Lee.Here is one explanation of the story behind the ballad:...
- Helen of Kirkconnel