happy? - Oct 29 (Fyvie)

Subject: happy? - Oct 29 (Fyvie)
From: Abby Sale
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 09:09 AM

The Battle at Fyvie Castle (8m SE of Turriff and 25m NW of Aberdeen), was Oct 29th, 1644. This was the battle for which (The Great) James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose (1612-1650 - Bio) brought in an army of Highlanders and Irish regulars & did ok. In a brief R & R on the way there, it seems,

         There was a troop of Irish dragoons
          Come marching down through Fyvie o
          And their captain's fallen in love
          With a handsome serving maid
          And the name she was called was pretty Peggy o

Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved
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Subject: RE: happy? - Oct 29 (Fyvie)
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 09:32 AM

A great song, but is it really about Montrose? I have my doubts, but it's a good story.

Subject: RE: happy? - Oct 29 (Fyvie)
From: Snuffy
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 09:42 AM

It's about the Irish captain of dragoons, not the General.

Subject: RE: happy? - Oct 29 (Fyvie)
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 12:39 PM

OK, be pedantic, Snuffy. But seriously, can any evidence be found to suggest this song might commemorate an incident in Montrose' campaign? Or, more specifically, this version of the song. I think it's first recorded appearance is in the context of Derby, rather than Fyvie. And then, of course, there is the rather unlocatable Fennario.
    Montrose definitely has one song going for him, though: he wrote the words for "Never love thee more", whose tune ended up used for "Derwentwater's farewell" 60 years later. Montrose and Derwentwater were both notably loyal to Stuart kings, and both suffered the predictable fatal consequences of honesty and bravery while associating with the Stuart family. Best avoided, I should have thought.