Song entitled 'Bron Binn no Laoidh Mhic Righ Breithtean', c1875
Scope and Contents
Song entitled 'Bron Binn no Laoidh Mhic Righ Breithtean' [The Sweet Sorrow] beginning 'La chaidh Astar nan Stuadh, Gu tulaich nam breach a shealg/ruadh'. The song tells how Sir Gawain went in search of a young woman King Arthur had dreamt about and found her. Then another warrior, named Bile, appeared and challenged him, telling how he had killed two children of the King of Greece and that the third they had killed themself. Bile challenges Gawain to dig a grave for these children but the young woman jumps into it and dies. It is composed of one hundred and one lines. Later annotations in pencil divide the song into thirty verses and suggest alternative words in some lines. No informant has been given for this song although a number of lines have been left at the beginning as if Carmichael had intended to add that information in.
Dates
- Creation: c1875
Language of Materials
Gaelic
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
From the Series: 183 folios ; 20 x 23.8cm
Physical Location
5.07
Physical Location
folio 156v, line 1 to folio 158v, line 21
Bibliography
Campbell, J. F., Leabhar na Féinne (London, 1872), p. 208.
Carmichael, Alexander, Carmina Gadelica, vol V, (Edinburgh, 1954), pp. 100-5.
Gowans, Linda, Am Bròn Binn: An Arthurian Ballad in Scottish Gaelic (Eastbourne, 1992), pp. 8-9, 19, 30-2.
http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/gd/fullrecord/33071/1
Creator
- From the Fonds: Carmichael, Alexander, 1832-1912 (Excise officer | folklorist and antiquarian | Edinburgh | Scotland) (Person)
- From the Fonds: Watson, William John, 1865-1948 (Professor of Celtic) (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
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