This is a Child Ballard and originated in Aberdeenshire. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
I was there the night it was recorded for avChristy Moore show in the Abbey Tavern in Howth around 1978.Paul Brady was also on that night. I can see the back of my head at 1.04.
Yes, Lord Saltoun is a Fraser--a Scot. This is a Child ballad, based in Scotland. It's speculated that Mary Black may have misheard "Buchan" (real placename, north of Aberdeen), making it "Harking", a place that does not exist.
+Michael MacGillivray Here Here ...but she could /can do it..no guff or smart remarks ...Luke and Al O'Donnell were in the same vein....anyone to replace them???....I'm getting (am) old!
I first heard this song when I was 12 and Mary was singing in the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, it was a great gig, but when she sang this song the audience where stuck to their seats. My Dad and I where wiping the tears away, it was so powerful. Thank you Mary for an amazing evening, I am 46 now, still feels the same.
What a fantastic bit of your childhood memories. Me too. This was an album at home and my das name is Gordon and Mary Black was a big deal in my house. Folks were prods :D Love Mary her voice is something else
We saw Mary back in 1992 in Oxford and she was better live then on record. It was actually concert that I will recall on my death bed. Simply the most breathtaking concert I've ever had the honour to witness. At the end of "Song for Ireland" I had tears streaming down my checks - it was so moving. It's still "our song" today - then she topped it with "Sonny" x
My spouse and I use to song this song ❤ together. Until death separated us. We changed the ending to them both rejoined in heaven for eternity. I don't sing it anymore.
What a wonderful find! I was listening to this earlier this evening on 25 years ... she stood there, sweetly pretty - and then out came the voice, high and pure on the top notes. Gorgeous.
i really like this song, the melody and her singing. Somehow today it does not seem so likely for people to die of grief at losing their true love. I guess we have lost something by becoming so unromantic. Nowadays people seem rather easy to substitute for, and no one is really that their marriage will last very long. That is I think part of the charm of this song. It suggests a more magic realm of love and loyalty.
Thanks for posting. My brother had "Chrisy Moore and Friends" on vinyl back in the 1980's and this was the standout track for me from a host of fantastic talent. I'd even venture that the vinyl recording was the live one.
Mary at her finest.....voice in perfect form. (I wish I could sing like this!) The early songs of Mary are my favourites. I think as she became more and more famous, there was something lost in this process. Perhaps it was the arrangements of later songs, more pop and not in this pure folk voice she had in the early days.
I agree with you though. Her work from the 80's and 90's is absolutely stunning. I wish I was old enough back then to have seen here live. Had a chance to see her before the lockdown, but to be perfectly honest her voice is not what it used to be. Didn't attend the concert.
Thanks so much for posting this video. Brings back memories of an incredible small festival concert that was. I think, Mary's first Scottish appearance. She absolutely slayed the audience with a stunning performance of this song. Still brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for some fab memories Mary.
you actually had a chance to remove yourselves from england but you choose not to,so bob lesley you and you countrymen can go and ask my rebel Irish arse, tá failte romath.
Bob, back in the day, when Mary Black singing Annachie Gordan was regularly played on RTE Radio 1 the song was always recognized as Scottish, by the presenters of the programs, and their listeners including myself.
I am so glad to find a video of this ! I first heard this song many years ago on the Thistle and Shamrock radio program that Fiona Ritchie still hosts.
Wow, how can I have missed this after for years having listened to Mary Black. Although being young, the magic in her voice is surely there. Amazing. Went straight to Tidal and found it on what seems to be on her first album from 83.. Those were the days where a tune was allowed to last for more that 3-4 minutes.
Mary Black (great voice) covered many, many songs by the wonderfil NIC JONES. This is one of about 4 or 5 songs she lifted straight from his "Noah's Ark Trap" Album. Ditto with some of his other trad songs. Did the same with Archie Fisher's stuff.
Mary Black (great voice) covered many, many songs by the wonderfil NIC JONES. This is one of about 4 or 5 songs she lifted straight from his "Noah's Ark Trap" Album. Ditto with some of his other trad songs. Did the same with Archie Fisher's stuff.
Matthew Zunder Yeah ..... Nic Jones revived this very old Scottish Song (Borders area - REEVERS etc...) and popularised it MANY MANY years ago. Hamish Imlach also did an early version of it as did Archie Fisher. After this, Mary Black simply did a nice "cover" version and kinda ANGLICISED it - as she does.....
Harking is bonnie And there lives my love My heart lies on him And will not remove It will not remove Oh for all that I have done Oh I never will forget my love Anachie
This song ' Anachie Gordon' is featured on Mary's eponymous debut album dating from 1983. It is the 6th and longest track on the album lasting 6 mins 32 secs. She has now recorded a song that updates this theme of doomed lovers in the Ricky Lynch song ' Marguerite And The Gambler, which is the opening track on her new album ' Storeies From The Steeples' an album I highly recommend.
This is a Child Ballard. The words were printed in Maidment's "North Countrie Garland" (1824) and in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs 2" (1828). The tune was first printed in Bronson's "Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads".
This ballad is from the far north-east of Scotland-the Gordon family estate was near Elgin, while the Frasers of Saltoun lived at Philorth, near Fraserburgh. Thanks for correcting the original post stating that it's a traditional Irish ballad, Glenn.
@Slievedubh There is no town of Buchan. Buchan is the area north of Aberdeen stretching up along the coast as far as the Moray Firth,and inland too A great farming and fishing area. Gordon is not only a common name in the area, it is the centre of the area occupied by the Gordon clan, who were the most powerful clan in the North East, in fact one of the most powerful in Scotland - the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire was where they had their main centre of power.
One of the best Scottish ballads, and one of Mary Black's best performances - is this Arty McGlynn on guitar? I've never seen him play 12-string, though. It sounds like his playing, as he's following the tune, which is quite complex for a ballad, very closely. If only she'd stuck to traditional singing, instead of going down that vapid MOR route. The song is one of the most eloquent protests against forced marriage, and has increasing relevance today.
.....Mary's version as good as the Unthanks????? splutter splutter!!!!!! I am speechless! Where do I start. No I won't bother. I am just so lucky to have first heard the superb Mary sing this live all those years ago.
I'm amazed that Nic Jones' version has not been uploaded! I would guess that, like Canadee-i-o, all modern versions of this song can be traced back to his beautiful recording.
