The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #70838   Message #1211477
Posted By: Uncle_DaveO
21-Jun-04 - 12:06 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Instruments that reveal secrets
Subject: RE: Folklore: Instruments that reveal secrets
Yet another version of "The Twa Sisters" is Binnorie
in which, after her sister drowns her,

A famous harper, passing by
Binnorie, oh Binnorie
That sweet fair form did chance to spy,
By the bonnie milldams of Binnorie.

And a harp he made of her white breast bone
Binnorie, oh Binnorie
Whose sound would melt a heart of stone
By the bonnie milldams of Binnorie.


The harper plays the harp at her father's hall, and the harp plays by itself, and

"Oh, these are the last, last words I will say,
Binnorie, oh Binnorie
My sister it was, that did me slay!
By the bonnie milldams of Binnorie!"


Dave Oesterreich