happy?

Subject: happy?
From: Abby Sale
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 07:40 AM


happy?

On Feb 7, 1592 Huntley (George Gordon, 1st marquess of Huntley, 1562-1626) burned the Earl's castle of Dunibrissel in Fife & later that day fatally stabbed James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray and Lord Doune.
 

Ye Highlands and ye Lawlands,
Oh where have you been?
They have slain the Earl of Murray,
And Lady Mondegreen.

                          "The Bonny Earl of Murray," Child #181(A) (1st printed 1733)

(According to Peter Buchan [1790-1854]: James VI, being jealous of an attachment betwixt his Queen, Anne of Denmark, and the Earl of Murray, the handsomest man of his time, prevailed with the deceitful Marquis of Huntly, his enemy, to murder him; and by a writing under his own hand, promised to save him harmless.  He was killed at his castle of Dunibrissel.)

However, The HappyFile research division has read (and retained a very small amount) of the staggering convolutedness of these events in Edward Ives' very good book The Bonny Earl of Murray.  We hope to be up to speed on the facts in a year or three.  Ives' best guess is that Jim was born 1567.  He became Earl of Murray by marriage January 1581 [age 14] and was unlikely ever to have met "the queen."

The book was written largely because of the great effect Dyer-Bennet's stirring rendition had on Ives.  It had the same effect on me and maybe many of you.  I got to understand just what ballads were for.

(I'll do one more Happy! Feb 10th and then I won't inflict myself on you for a while.)

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 06:02 PM

Is that the Earl O' Moray I have on tape by Five Hand Reel?

Skipjack

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 06:36 PM

Aw, c'mon, Abby! We'd like to see the "Happy" column on a regular basis. It might be an idea, though, to give a date on your thread title, since "Happy" is a thread title that will recur (I hope).
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: happy?
From: SeanM
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 07:03 PM

I'll second that motion, Joe. I'm a history buff (in the fledgling stages) and absolutely love the background of the music...

Now I'm just waiting for some tales of the Scottish Borderers.

THERE were some fun clans.

M

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Bradypus
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 07:08 PM

Lady Mondegreen ???

I always thought it was 'Laid him on the green'

In fact, in alt.usage.english, a usenet group I used to frequent, they use the word 'mondegreen' for a word or phrase which can be misinterpreted in this way.

Bradypus

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 07:57 PM

Abby knows that. Just pulling our legs a bit with the Lady Mondegreen. Now we'll have to get him to explain "oronyms" for us.

The book by Dr. Edward ("Sandy") Ives is a superb example of combined ballad study and historical research, written in that wonderful style of Sandy's that makes you feel that you're sitting at the kitchen table with him, just talking over the events, etc. I wish all folklorists could write like that. Highly recommended!

Also -- Sandy Ives recently published a fine collection of songs and ballads that he has collected on Prince Edward Island entitled Drive Dull Care Away. It even comes with a CD tucked in the back, and is graced with that same delightful anecdotal style. Don't overlook this one!

Sandy (another one, that is)

Subject: RE: happy?
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 01:51 PM

There are several web sites devoted to "mondegreens". Here's one: http://www.enteract.com/~jessicar/lyrics/ Use "mondegreen" in your search engine to find more.

Subject: happy?
From: Abby Sale
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 09:51 AM

 

happy?

           A 1552 Scottish act banned the printing of "ballads, songs, and
           blasphemous rhymes without license" enhanced by a 1567 act
           criminalizing failure to destroy such on sight.  Finally, "Upon
           the twelth day of August, one William Trumbill and William
           Scott was hanged at the cross of Sterling for making of certain ballads,
           which were thought able to sow discord amongst the nobility.  And
           this was thought a new precedent, seeing none had been executed
           for the like before."
 
 

[From a note dated 1579, quoted in
Edward Ives, The Bonny Earl of Murray]

Subject: RE: happy?
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 05:16 PM

Joe, I'll third that. Abby, I know I'd said this before to you, would you ever bring back the Happy/happy column on a regular basis. It's been sorley missed by many. For those that aren't familar with the happy files posted by Abby maybe he can give a real explanation (I don't want to mess it up). Thanks Abby, Barry

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 05:29 PM

Well, at least we can be comforted by the fact that Dick Gaughan's Website has The Happy Archive.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: happy?
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 05:35 PM

Hi Joe, it's no wonder Dick's site is so popular, must be his claim to fame? Barry

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 07:46 PM

I hope this thread comes back I see potential here! Of course, Atilla the Hun died on his wedding night, Mrs. Atilla must have been something! Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: happy?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 07:56 PM

Hell, but that's a good site Dick Gaughan has! Even aside from the Happy archive.

Subject: RE: happy?
From: little john cameron
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 07:58 PM

Ah'm no too shair whit ye mean be "happy" bit if ye are interested in Wullie Wallace ye micht like this.
http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/index.html
LJC

Subject: RE: happy?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 13 Aug 00 - 10:02 AM

I just love someone being called
the handsomest man of his time
great for a gravestone and imagine all the women from far and wide weeping thereon for such a loss......