Week 49 – The Rigs of Rye

A rather lovely love song which I first heard on the long-unavailable Dick Gaughan LP, Kist O’ Gold. I learned it after finding the words in Ord’s Bothy Songs & Ballads. Both LP and book, I should add, were among the resources available in my local public library, circa 1980.

You can hear recorded versions from the Scottish tradition on the rather wonderful Tobar an Dualchais (Kist o Riches) website.

A note on the final verse: the original song, of course, has the couple spending their winters in Brechin; but I have followed Fred Jordan’s example in relocating their abode to Brecon.

The Rigs of Rye

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