The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #20021   Message #4205355
Posted By: GUEST,Rossey
12-Jul-24 - 02:04 PM
Thread Name: Origin: Wild Mountain Thyme
Subject: RE: Origin: Wild Mountain Thyme
We've been going round in circles with this thread.. The guest who revived it, repeated an error.. The first recording of the McPeake's version was NOT 1957, the original field recording was made in 1952 - though the first recording on vinyl record appeared in 1957. The field recording (with introduction) is available via the British Sound Library. it was performed live by the McPeakes in January 1953 at the Albert Hall, London in an English Folk Society concert. (see British Newspaper Archive) under the title of 'Go Lassie Go'. Of course the re-vamped words were derived rom Tannahill's, but added to, tidied up and a modern structure created. The tune is reckoned to be totally original. However, there was some debate as to whether Francis McPeake heard it from an 'uncle', or some such source - as in the first field recording he makes a mention of this, but not having written it - and the interpretation is ambiguous. There are extensive threads on Mudcat, and this duplicate thread muddies a subject already covered.