Happy Birthday!

James V (Scotland)


was born

4/10/1512
(d.12/14/1542)

Seems he did dress in mufti and wander out among the peasants and also that he versified. He was widely thought to have written my favorite ballad (no one thought he actually was the subject of it.)

Later writers don't think it had anything to do with him at all.

Still...

 
          A beggar, a beggar cam' o'er yon lea
          He was seeking food for charity
          An' many's the fine tale he tell't to me
          Oh would ye lodge a beggar man?
                  Lassie to me tow rooay.
  
                  "The Gaberlunyie Man" (ie "The Beggar Man," Child #279 Appendix)

Among many, Enoch Kent did an awfully nice job on this – about 1965 – first time I learned there were other styles of Scottish ballad singing besides MacColl's.

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