Hi Bruce, from the "Viking Book of Folk Ballads" I quote"One would be tempted to consider the ballad an outgrowth of the Russian tragety of 1719 if it were not for the troublesome fact that some form of the balld seems to have circulated in Scotland before 1719". It's not said where that info was gotten from. The song quoted above is of a more recent vintage, I only wrote it a few moments ago, I did want to add a twist to the out come. Never minded all these Marys getting their necks stretched but I always wanted to see the child victims out live their courtly mothers. Good night Bruce, I'm going to bed (if I can shut this thing down) before my kids kill me. Barry