The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #164332   Message #3930900
Posted By: GUEST,Kevin W.
14-Jun-18 - 03:31 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Child Ballads in Ireland
Subject: RE: Origins: Child Ballads in Ireland
Jim,
there is an Irish version of "The Twa Brothers" (Child 49) after all.
It was recorded very recently, in 2016 in Co. Galway from a Traveller, Maggie Mongins:

1st Recording:
The Two Brothers (Take 1) - Maggie Mongins

2nd Recording:
The Two Brothers (Take 2) - Maggie Mongins

It does turn into "Edward" about halfway through, just like some of the old Scottish versions of "Twa Brothers" do, but it is undeniably a version of Child 49.

It's wonderful that gems like this are being recorded even nowadays from the travelling people.
Our knowledge of ballads and folk stories would be much poorer if it weren't for them.