"A comparison of the two texts by Motherwell and Crawfurd gives some insight into Motherwell's editing."

Odd that he should change 'Claret Banks' to 'Cathar'. Anyone have an idea why?


Talking of Mary MacQueen, she was also a source for 'The Deil's Courtship', another Devil Ballad, similar to 'The Keys of Canterbury' in form, which Child chose to reject. I've just noticed in Lyle's book that this ballad is also in Kinloch's MSS. Anyone have a copy of that, by any chance?