Broadside ballad entitled 'The Braes of Strathblane'

Commentary

Verse 1 begins: 'As I went a walking one morning in May, / Down by yon green meadows I carelessly did stray'. There is a woodcut included above the song which features a happy young couple, quite sprucely dressed, talking together. There are no publication details given, but this is one of two songs - printed by James Lindsay - on this sheet.

'The Braes of Strathblane' is a song which is firmly based in the oral tradition. As a result it is difficult to pinpoint its origins and author. It is, however, one of many folksongs which feature the braes of a village and young love. This song, indeed, an identical match to the lyrics of 'The Braes of Strathdon', which lies in Aberdeenshire. On other broadsides the suggested to tune to these lyrics is often 'As I stood at my cottage door'.

Early ballads were dramatic or humorous narrative songs derived from folk culture that predated printing. Originally perpetuated by word of mouth, many ballads survive because they were recorded on broadsides. Musical notation was rarely printed, as tunes were usually established favourites. The term 'ballad' eventually applied more broadly to any kind of topical or popular verse.

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