“The Webster of Brechin's Mare”

Description

When the webster's (weaver's) old mare declares she can work no more; when the man threatens her, she faints. He skins the horse. Awakening in the night, it comes to the door; a lad kills it fears he has done murder, then discovers it is a horse

Supplemental text

Webster of Brechin's Mare, The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

As printed by W. H. Logan, The Pedlar's Pack of Ballads and Songs,
pp. 402-404. Immediate source not clearly stated. From a chapbook
published by T. Johnston of Falkirk and dated 1815.

In Brechin did a Webster dwell,
  Who was a man of fame,
He was the deacon o' his trade,
  John Steinson was his name.
A mare he had, a lusty jade,
  Saw sturdy, stark, and strang,
Baith Lusty and trusty;
  And he had spared her lang.

(10 additional stanzas)

References

1. Logan, pp. 402-405, "The Webster of Brechin's Mare" (1 text)
2. Ford-Vagabond, pp. 154-156, "The Webster of Brechin's Mare" (1 text)
3. ST FVS154 (Partial)
4. Roud #13121
5. BI, FVS154