This is #37 in the Child cannon.The variant here is #37C. It should
be noted that Child (1882-1898)CPB
(vol I, pp325-326) seems to use the version in the 1802 edition of
Scott's work, which
seems to be different to the version in the later 1833 (and subsequent)
editions. I, along with Bronson (1959-1972)BTT (vol I, pp324-325)
have used the
later version.
According to Scott, he obtained it "from a lady residing not far
from Ercildoune, corrected and enlarged by one of Mrs Brown's MSS.".
Regarding the lyrics in the typeset score, the lyrics are as set out
in
Scott's book. The lyrics do not quite match the words in the text.
Furthermore, in typesetting the score, I
have ignored the piano accompaniment that Scott also provided. The
linebreaks are also different.
An alternative title to the ballad is "True Thomas". This is, in
fact, the title given for the air.
