“The Maid of Burndennet”

Description

"Oh, fair (are the) vales of (my) own native soil," particularly Burndennet, where a beautiful girl lives. The singer praises her beauty and describes their courting. Though their rivals sneer, their love will emerge victorious

Notes

Curiously, although Sam Henry lists only one source for this song, he preserved two texts -- each of four verses, but only two and a half verses in common, with a different order, and with substantial differences even in the common material. The differences are just what one would expect from oral tradition -- but with only one listed source, and no other versions known, one must suspect editorial tampering. - RBW

References

  1. SHenry H96a+b, pp. 230-231, "The Maid of Burndennett" (2 texts, 1 tune)
  2. Roud #7982
  3. BI, HHH096

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1925 (Sam Henry collection)
Keywords: love courting beauty
Found in: Ireland