The Twa Sisters

Contributors

Whyte, John, 1906- (2530) Whyte, Betsy, 1919-1988 (3523) Williamson, Duncan, 1928-2007 (4292) Whyte, Bryce, 1914-2006 (4512)

Fieldworkers

Williamson, Dr Linda, 1949- (4291)

Date

Track ID 33039

Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1976.213.A1

Original Tape ID

SA1976.213

Summary

John Whyte sings 'The Twa Sisters', followed by a discussion about the motivation in the story told in this version and another version of the song.

There is no mention in the song of what happened to the wicked sister. Betsy Whyte insists that John has omitted two verses dealing with "her true lover John". John thinks these verses belong to an entirely different song. The motivation in John's version is that the younger sister wants to take the elder sister's place as heir to her father's lands. The fiddle made from the dead sister's breastbone reveals what happened. John heard the song from his mother.

Item Notes

Verse 9 is extended to 9 lines, verse 12 has 3 lines.

Recording Location

County - Angus

Parish - Montrose

Village/Place - Montrose

Language

English, Scots

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good