Info: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6

Subject: Origins: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: Planetluvver
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 01:12 PM

I am unsure if my prefix "Origins" is appropriate, since I am not asking for the origins of a song.


I am new at Mudcat Cafe and not very familiar with the information here. I also happen to own a copy of the book "The Ballad Repertoire of Anna Gordon, Mrs. Brown of Faukland edited by Sigrid Rieuwerts. It was published by the Scottish Text Society in 2011.

I am wondering what, if anything, if it is likely that there is anything I can contribute from that book to the knowledge here at MudCat Cafe. Since she is a source for Childs, I assume all the songs are already in Digitrads.

My familiarity with musicology is very superficial as well.

Subject: RE: Origins: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 01:41 PM

All of the ballads are in Child in some form therefore are readily available. What Sigrid's book does is show us and compare the variants Mrs. Brown supplied at various points demonstrating that these texts were fluid in her mind. Child regarded her ballads as supreme examples, but that was from the point of a Professor of Literature; a folklorist or ethnomusicologist might look at them differently. If I remember correctly there are certain episodes/events lacking in her versions (violence for instance) that occur in almost all other versions. Did she consciously edit them out? I think there is some mileage in regarding Mrs Brown as a collector as much as a source singer. She certainly came from a very musical, well-heeled family. Her father was Professor of Humanity at King's College, Aberdeen.

Subject: RE: Info: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: Planetluvver
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 03:06 PM

Thanks Steve!

I surmise that this book is too refined to really be of much use to me. I am wondering now if the book needs a more suitable home than mine. Does anyone have any recommendations on selling or donating this book to a worthy home?

Subject: RE: Info: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 03:10 PM

The School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh may well be interested, although they may already have a copy. I already do too!

Subject: RE: Info: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 10:23 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Planetluvver.

Subject: RE: Info: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 08:25 AM

I'm sure somebody like Jon Lighter, cnd, Mick Pearce, Brian Peters would be glad of it if they haven't already got it. It doesn't come up for sale very often so it would be snapped up. I could advertise it on one of the Ballad forums if you wanted. SSS will definitely have a copy.

Subject: RE: Info: Anna Gordon Book ISBN:978-1-89797-632-6
From: cnd
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 09:16 PM

As Steve rightly assumes, I would be interested, depending on the price and a few other factors. I live in the US so if you live elsewhere international shipping becomes a factor for us both to consider. You can PM me for additional details if you'd like.

Welcome to the 'cat!