Subject
Ballads, Scots -- Adaptations Books
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Mary Macgregor
Stories from the Ballads, Told to the Children
"Stories from the Ballads, Told to the Children" by Mary Macgregor is a collection of traditional tales derived from folklore and balladry, likely written in the early 20th century. The stories are designed to captivate and entertain children, presenting themes of love, adventure, and magic through richly imagined narratives featuring characters like fairies, knights, and courageous maidens. At the start of the collection, the author introduces the origins of these tales, describing the role of minstrels in the past who traveled across the land sharing stories of love and conflict. The opening section features the tale of "The Young Tamlane," where a young boy named Tamlane is taken by the Queen of Fairies and later encounters Janet, a maiden whose strong will leads her to seek him out. This enchanting beginning sets the tone for a series of captivating stories that explore familiar themes from folklore, promising adventures filled with magic and moral lessons.
Elizabeth W. (Elizabeth Wilson) Grierson
Tales From Scottish Ballads
"Tales From Scottish Ballads" by Elizabeth W. Grierson is a collection of retellings of traditional Scottish ballads, likely written in the early 20th century. This anthology mixes adventure, folklore, and heroic tales that feature iconic figures and themes from Scottish history and culture, putting a spotlight on characters like William Wallace and Kinmont Willie. The opening portion of the work begins with the story of "The Lochmaben Harper," an old, blind harper from Lochmaben, who is presumed foolish by the locals yet has grand ambitions of stealing the English King Henry's prized brown horse. The narrative reveals his cunning nature as he cleverly executes his plan, using his old mare to lead King Henry’s horse back to Scotland while appearing merely as a simple musician. The story sets the tone for the collection, emphasizing themes of wit, trickery, and the blending of everyday life with extraordinary adventures.
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