“Mother's Malison, The, or Clyde's Water”
Description
Willie wishes to visit his lover. His mother bids him stay, and curses him to drown in Clyde if he goes. Willie, trusting in his horse, goes anyway, but his lover's mother bids him away. Returning, he drowns in Clyde; his lover drowns as she seeks him
Cross references
- cf. "Annan Water"
- cf. "Lord Derwentwater" [Child 208] (lyrics)
- cf. "Ballad of the Drover (Death of Harry Dale)" (theme)
- cf. "Martha Dexter" (theme)
Recordings
- Stanley Robertson, "The Clattering of the Clyde Waters" (on Voice03)
- John Strachan, "Clyde's Water (The Mother's Malison)" (on FSBBAL2) {Bronsons #12.2}
References
- Child 216, "The Mother's Malison, or, Clyde's Water" (3 texts)
- Bronson 216, "The Mother's Malison, or, Clyde's Water" (14 versions+2 in addenda)
- Leach, pp. 572-575, "The Mother's Malison, or, Clyde's Water" (1 text)
- OBB 90, "Clyde Water" (1 text)
- DT 216, CLYDWATR*
- Roud #91
- BI, C216