The Lass of Roch Royal

The Lass of Roch Royal is Child ballad number 76, existing in several variants.

Synopsis

A woman comes to Gregory's castle, pleading to be let in; she is either pregnant or with a newborn son. His mother turns her away; sometimes she tells her that he went to sea, and she goes to follow him and dies in shipwreak, but always, she dies. Gregory wakes and says he dreamed of her. He chases after, finds her body, and dies.

Variants

Alternate titles of "The Lass of Roch Royal" include "Lord Gregory", "Fair Anny", "Oh Open the Door Lord Gregory" and "Mirk Mirk". The New-Slain Knight has, in some variants, verses identical to those of some variants of The Lass of Roch Royal, where the woman laments her baby's lack of a father. Also Child ballad number 216 ("The Mother's Malison") is almost identical to "The Lass of Roch Royal" only in a reversed manner, telling the story of a young man looking for his beloved.

Cover Versions

• "Lord Gregory" on The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell by The Corries (1965)
• "Anne of Lochroyan", by Isla StClair, recorded 1971 (Tangent Records)
• "Lass of Loch Royal" on Silly Sisters by Silly Sisters (1976)
• "Lord Gregory" on Peat Fire Flame by The Corries (1977)
• "Lord Gregory" on Bloody Men by Steeleye Span (2006)

See also

• The Mother's Malison

External links

• Lord Gregory