Annotation:Lady's Expostulation with Rob Roy (The)
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LADY'S EXPOSTULATION WITH ROB ROY, THE (Aslachadh na baintighearna). Scottish, Slow Air (3/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. In May, 1751, the heiress of Edinbelly was abducted and forced to marry. The culprit, according to Fraser, was Rob Roy MacGregor, although Fraser's editor noted that it was not the famous outlaw but in fact was his youngest son Rob Og who was involved. Like many an outlaw, Rob Roy had many more crimes attributed to him than he could have possibly committed, but the real Rob Roy was pardoned and died in his own house at Balquhidder while Rob Og was executed for the kidnapping. Be that as it may, the ballad names Rob Roy and Fraser notes that it "should have been placed before that of (the tune) "Rob Roy," being the lady's supposed expostulation with him, whilst he, regardless of her entreaties, struck up with the voice of a ferocious ruffian, the sonorous strathspey which follows, importing 'Come awa', Lady Fair,' &c." (Fraser, 1874). See also "Rob Roy MacGregor."
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1874; No. 192, p. 80.
Recorded sources: