The Laird o the Dainty Dounby
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1960.143.B4
Original Tape ID
Summary
In this song, the Laird of the Dainty Dounby seduces a young girl before abandoning her. He later enquires of her father as to her health, and is told that she is unco pale [awfully pale, implying she is pregnant]. The Laird then places the keys of his castle into her hands and declares her his Lady. The girl's parents rejoice at her marriage to nobility.
Item Notes
8 verses of 4 lines. Note has often been made of the resemblance of the melody accompanying this song to that of 'Johnnie Cope'.
See:
Greig-Duncan vol. 7, pp. 422-423
'Folksongs of Britain & Ireland' (P. Kennedy, 1975) p. 407
'The Scottish Folksinger' (N. Buchan & P. Hall, 1973) p. 88
'Jeannie Robertson' (J. Porter & H. Gower, 1995) pp. 182-183
'Scottish Studies' 16 (J. Porter & H. Gower, 1972) pp. 146-147
'Songs from David Herd's Manuscripts' (H. Hecht, 1904) pp. 221-223
'Ancient & Modern Scottish Songs' vol. 2 (D. Herd, 1869, 1973) pp. 232-234
'Andrew Crawfurd's Collection of Ballads & Songs' vol. 2 (E. Lyle, 1996) pp. 80-82
'Travellers' Songs from England and Scotland' (E. MacColl & P. Seeger, 1977) pp. 110-112
Recording Location
County - Aberdeenshire
Parish - Old Deer
Village/Place - Fetterangus
Language
Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair