“Barley Raking (Barley Rigs A-Raking)”
Description
The singer spies a couple "have a jovial treat" at hay-making time. After 20 weeks, "this fair maid fell a-sighing"; after 40 weeks, she is crying. She writes to her love. He rejects her, saying, "I dearly like my freedom."
Notes
Roud lumps this with Burns's "Corn Rigs" ("It was upon a Lammas night"). A source it may be, but Burns has done enough rewriting that I think they must be split. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Oh, No, Not I" (plot) and references there
- cf. "Corn Rigs (Rigs o' Barley)" (theme)
References
- Ord, p. 218-219, "Barley Rigs A-Raking" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #1024
- BI, Ord218