Bluegrass Messengers

British and other Versions- 10. Twa Sisters (My Headnotes) Roud 8 (The Miller's Melody; The Miller and the King's Daughter; The Cruel Sister; The Two Sisters; The Two Fair Sisters; Binnorie (Binorie); The Bonnie Milldams of Binnorie; The Bonny Bows o London; There Were Two Ladies Playing Ball;  There Were Three Sisters; The Barkshire Tragedy; Norham, Down By Norham; Bodown (Bo Down); Sister, Dear Sister; King Lived in the North Country; My Sister Kate; Wind and Rain; Swan Swims Sae Bonnie; Down by the Waters Rolling.)

A. "The Miller and the King's Daughter" with resuscitation stanzas. From second edition, 1656, of "Musarum Deliciæ: or, The Muses Recreation," London by Dr. James Smith ("Musarum Deliciæ" reprinted "Wit Restor'd 1658-- only 1658 verified, reprinted in 1817) Child A, L with resuscitation stanzas.
    a1. "The Miller and the King's Daughter" from "Musarum Deliciæ: or, The Muses Recreation" 1656 from Mr. Smith (reprinted 1658 "Wit Restor'd", and again in 1817 Facetiae edition)
    a2. "The Miller and the King's Daughter" unconfirmed broadside "printed for Francis Grove, 1656," by Mr. Smith; text reprinted in Notes and Queries, 1st S., v, 591 by Edward F. Rimbault, 1852.
    a3. "The Miller and the King's Daughter" from 1656 edition "Musarum Deliciæ: or, The Muses Recreation" as reprinted in Jamieson's Popular Ballads, I, 315, 1806. Has several emendations presumably made by Jamieson.
    a4. "The Miller and the King's Daughter," as from Mr. (James) Smith reprint in "Wit Restor'd, 1658, " p. 51," in the reprint of 1817, p. 153. Sir John Mennes, "Wit Restor'd In severall select poems Not formerly publisht" (London: R. Pollard, N. Brooks, and T. Dring, 1658), pp. 51-54:
    a5. "The Miller and the King's Daughters," Wit and Drollery, ed. 1682, p. 87.
    b. "Damnd Mill-Dam" as heard by Anna Seward of Derbyshire  about 1749, Child L from Anna Seward to Walter Scott, April 25-29, 1802: Letters addressed to Sir Walter Scott, I, No 54, Abbotsford.
    c. "The Miller's Melody" dated c. 1790 by G.A.C. from Notes and Queries, 1st S., v, 316, 1852, Child La.
    d. "The Drowned Lady," from Thomas Hughes' father (John Hughes of Oxfordshire) c.1800 from The Scouring of the White Horse, p. 161, 1859, Child Lb.

B. "The Twa Sisters" or "The Cruel Sister" with resuscitation stanzas. Scottish, from Anna Gordon Brown of Aberdeenshire, learned c. 1760, written down in 1783. Child B, three refrains
    a1. "The Twa Sisters," Jamieson-Brown Manuscript, fol. 39, 1783, Child Ba.
    a2. "The Cruel Sister," William Tytler's Brown Manuscript, No 15, 1783, Child Bb.
    a3. "The Cruel Sister," Abbotsford Manuscript, "Scottish Songs," fol. 21, c.1803, Child Bc.
    a4. "The Twa Sisters," Jamieson's Popular Ballads, I, 48, 1806, Child Bd.
    b. "The Cruel Sister," Scott's Minstrelsy, II, 143 (1802). Composite of Mrs. Brown's text and an Irish text recreated by Scott, Child C with Binnorie refrains.
    c. "The Two Fair Sisters" taken from an unknown singer (based on or similar to Scott's Child C/Mrs. Brown's version) probably from Nithsdale/Galloway before 1810 by Allan Cunningham in his The Songs of Scotland, Ancient and Modern: with an introduction, Volume 2, 1825.
    d. "Three Sisters." From the recitation of Mrs. Johnston, a North-country Scottish lady; Kinloch's Manuscripts, II, 49; 1826 or later; Child D.
    e. "Twa Sisters," taken from Mrs. Eleonora Sharpe of Dumfriesshire about c1798 from C.K. Sharpe's Ballad Book, No. X, p. 30, 1824; Child E.
    f. "The Two Sisters." Mrs. Sutton got this from the singing of Mrs.  Rebecca Gordon of Cat's Head on Saluda Mountain. From The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, version C.

C. "The King in the North Country" or "Bow Down" without resuscitation stanzas. English and American, earliest date 1770 Child Y from Parsons near Kent. Trinary stanzic form, refrains include "Bow Down" "Balance unto me," and "I'll be true to my love," similar form as B, first line repeated twice with three refrains.
    a. "There was a king lived in the North Country." Communicated to Percy, April 7. 1770, and April 19, 1775, by the Rev. P. Parsons, of Wye, near Ashford, Kent from a spinning-wheel operator; Child Y.
    b. "Squire of High degree." Dated c.1825, as sung by Miss Carr Moseley; learned from old lady born c. 1800, who learned it from her mother. Single stanza with music in JFSS, I (1904), p. 253.
    c. "The Twa Sisters," no date but after 1826, no title, taken from Kinloch Manuscripts, VI, p. 89, Child S.
    d. "The Fair Sisters." c. 1844 as contributed by R. E. Lee Smith, of 'Palmyra, Va., by his brother, Thomas P. Smith, of Palmyra, and himself. They learned it from the singing of their father, Bennet Smith, who "learned it over seventy years ago from Cox Ladier, Fluvanna County. February, 1914. From Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960.
    e. [Bow Down.] dated c.1848 from Joan B. Moore of Seawall, Mount Desert, when in her eighty-ninth year said she remembered, as a small child living on the Cranberry Islands, that she had heard at school the song of two girls, one of whom drowned the other. My title. From British Ballads from Maine; Barry, Eckstorm, Smyth, 1929.
    f. "The Three Sisters," by Seleucus, a Lancashire ballad, from Notes and Queries, 1st S., vi, 102; dated July 31, 1852, Child Ra.
    g. "The Barkshire Tragedy." From Thomas Hughes 'The Scouring of the White Horse,' p. 158, 1859. According to Child, it's "from Berkshire, as heard by Mr Hughes from his father (John Hughes)" Child Rc. 
    h. "Bo down (Bow Down)." Written down for John Francis Campbell, Esq., Nov. 7, 1861, at Wishaw House, Lancashire, by Lady Louisa Primrose (quatrain form, two refrains). Published in Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Campbell 1862, Volume 4 page 125, Child Rb.
    i. [The Two Sisters] Recollected June, 1904, by W. Maynard, of the U. S. Navy, as sung forty years ago by the midshipmen at Newport, R. I. My title, replacing the generic. Informants name from Barry MSS by Bronson, his No. 33. From: Traditional Ballads in New England I by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 69 (Apr. - Jun., 1905), pp. 123-138.
    j. "Two Sisters." dated c.1867 as taken down, September 8, 1927, from the recitation of Mrs. Oliver K. Joyce of Gott Island, off Mount Desert, aged seventy-four years, who said that this was the way the ballad was sung on that island sixty years before. From British Ballads from Maine; Barry, Eckstorm, Smyth, 1929, version D.
    k. "The Miller's Two Daughters." dated 1868 as communicated by Miss Mabel Richards,  Fairmont, Marion County, October, 1915; obtained from Mrs. John Hood, who  learned it about forty-seven years ago. Printed by Cox, xliv, 428, 441. From Folk-Songs of the South, John Harrington Cox, 1925, w/music, version A.
    l. "There was an Old Woman Lived on the Seashore." Communicated by Professor Louise Pound, 1916. "In a manuscript collection of songs in the possession of Mrs. Mary F. Lindsey, of Hebron, Neb. Dated 1870." From: Ballads and Songs by G. L. Kittredge; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 30, No. 117 (Jul. - Sep., 1917), pp. 283-369.
    m.  "There Was an Old Woman Lived on the Sea-Shore." From James Ashby's MS. ballad-book. No title is given. It was copied into the book, February 22, 1874. My title. From: Old-Country Ballads in Missouri, I by H. M. Belden; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 19, No. 74 (Jul. - Sep., 1906), pp. 231-240, Belden C.
    n. "The Two Sisters," dated c. 1880 from ladies in New York, and by them from a cousin, Child Z.
    o. "The Two Sisters" before 1883. Communicated by Mr. W.W. Newell, as repeated by an ignorant woman in her dotage, who learned it at Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. Child U.
    p. "The Two Sisters." My title. From The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 2, Part 2, Child Z; added in Additions and Corrections by George Lyman Kittredge 1886. This copy of 'The Twa Sisters,' Z, a variety of R, was derived from ladies in New York, and by them from a cousin.
    q. [There Was An Old Lord] my title. Sung by Mrs. May Kennedy McCord, Springfield, Mo., Nov. 12, 1941. Learned from her mother in Galena, Mo., about 1890. My title. From Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1, Ballads, 1946, version G.
    r. "The Old Man in the Old Country," Sung by Mr. Charles Ingenthron, Walnut Shade, Mo. Sept. 4, 1941. He learned 'The Old Man in the Old Country' in Taney County, Mo., about 1890." From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph 1946, Vol. 1, Ballads, Version E.
    s. [O Sister] dated 1890. Collected by Miss Margaret Purcell, of Greenwood, Va. her grandmother, Elizabeth Ashton Garrett Purcell (Mrs. S. H. Purcell), of Greenwood, Va., in the early nineties. Albemarle County. May, 1934. Fragment from Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960, with music, version GG.
    t. "I'll Be True To My Love (Berkshire Tragedy)" sung by Charles Lolley of Driffield, Yorkshire, published in JFSS 1906, collected by Kidson in 1892.
    u. "Two Sisters." Sung by Miss Susan Montague, Woodstock , Vermont, who learned, it from her grandmother, Mrs. Ruth Maxham, Montague, born in Carver, Massachusetts, in 1816. Published in The New Green Mountain Songster and, BFSSNE VI, 5. H. H. F., collector; 1931. From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, Vol. 1, 1966, w/music, version B.
     v. "The Old Man In The North Country" Belden A, from Ballads and songs collected by the Missouri Folklore Society; 1940, with music, informant was a student who is not named. Contributed by Miss Williams, 1903, with the notation that, "The person who sang it learned it in her girlhood from a hired man from Kentucky."
     w. "The Old Farmer in the Countree." Sung by Tom Waters (Missouri), 1903. Belden B from Ballads and songs collected by the Missouri Folklore Society; 1940, with music.
     x. [The Two Sisters]  Taken down by Henry Milner Rideout in Calais, Maine. From Traditional Ballads in New England I by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 69 (Apr. - Jun., 1905), pp. 123-138.
    z. "My Sister Kate." Sent in by George Williams, Marble Hill, Bollinger County, in 1909. Belden, Ballads and Songs Collected by the Missouri Folklore Society, 1940, version D.
    aa. "Lord Of Old Country," 4aa, fragment with refrain. From A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-songs by Hubert Gibson Shearin, Josiah Henry Combs, published in 1911.
    bb. "The Two Sisters," sung by Mr. Harrison Carrier (Harrisonburg, VA; Rockingham County) 1913. From Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version E.
    cc. [Poor Sister Kate] my title, collected by Miss Martha M. Davis, of Harrisonburg, Va. Sung by Mrs. Sarah Finchum, "a mountain woman," of Elkton, Va., Rockingham County. November, 1913.  Fragment from Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960, with music, version HH.
    dd. "Sister Kate," sung by Mrs. L. L. Arthur and Mrs Bob Stone (VA) 1914 From Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version D.
    ee. "The Old Man in the North Countree." From an old African-American woman, Virginia 1915, Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version I.
    ff. "The Two Sisters" from Crawford of Virginia, 1915 recorded Paul Clayton, melody from Kit Williamson. see also Davis C.
    gg. "The Miller's Two Daughters." Contributed by Mr. Wallie Barnett, Leon,  Mason County, 1915. He learned it from his mother, who does not remember  where she got it. From Folk-Songs of the South, John Harrington Cox, 1925, version B.
    hh. "The Two Sisters." Secured by Professor E. L. Starr of Salem College  from an unnamed informant and sent to Dr. Brown in 1915. From The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, version A.
    ii. " The West Countree." Communicated by Professor Belden, 1916, as written down from memory by Mrs. Eva Warner Case, with the assistance of her mother and grandmother; Harrison County, Missouri. From Ballads and Songs by G. L. Kittredge; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 30, No. 117 (Jul. - Sep., 1917), pp. 283-369. Also reprinted in Missouri Folklore Society (Ballads and Songs) edited Belden 1940 as version E.
    jj. "The Two Sisters." Sung by Mr. Wesley Batter, Mount Fair, Abermarle Co., Virginia Sept 22, 1916.  From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Campbell 1916; also Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version B.
    kk.  "The Three Sisters," sung by Louisa Chisholm of Woodbridge, Va., 1916. My title, From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Campbell 1916; also Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version B.
    ll. [The Three Sisters.]  Sung by Mr. Nuel Walton at Mt. Fair, Va., Sept. 26, 1916  My title, From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Campbell 1916; also Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version D.
    mm. "The Lady of the North Country." Collected by Miss Roxie Martin and Mr. J. M. McManaway, Albemarle County, June 1, 1917. "A school girl wrote this as her father sung to her." From Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version H.
    nn. [Two Little Sisters] Sung by Mrs. Delie Knuckles at Barbourville, Knox Co., Ky; May 18, 1917. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version F, single stanza w/music.
    oo. [Beaver Hat]- Sung by Mrs. Jenny L. Combs at Berea, Madison Co., Ky., May 30, 1917. My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version N, w/music.
    pp.  [Two Sisters] Sung by Miss Violet Henry at Berea, Madison Co., Ky., May 21, 1917. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version G, w/music.
    qq. [The Three Sisters] Sung by Miss Elsie Combs at Hindman School, Knott Co., Ky., Sept. 20, 1917. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version I, w/music.
    rr. [Daughters Three or Four]- Sung by Mrs. Franklin at Barbourville, Knox Co., Ky., May 7, 1917. My Title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version L, w/music.
    ss. [Two Little Sisters]- Sung by Mrs. Clercy Deeton at Mine Fork, Burnsville, North Carolina, September 19, 1918. My title. Version E in Cecil Sharp and Maud Karpeles, English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932.
    tt. "The Two Sisters." Sung by Mrs. Effie Mitchell at Burnsville, N. C , Sept. 27, 1918. Version H in Cecil Sharp and Maud Karpeles, English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932.
    uu. [Three Daughters] sung by Mayo Virginia in 1918. From Bronson, No. 29, taken from Sharp's MS, single stanza with music.
    vv. [The Three Sisters] Sung by Mrs. FLORENCE FITZGERALD at Royal Orchard, Afton, Va., April 25, 1918. My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version J, w/music.
    ww. [Three Sisters] -Sung by Mr. JOE [Dad] BLACKETT [sic] at Meadows of Dan, Va., Aug. 28, 1918. My Title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version K, w/music. The additional text is from Sharp's MS, as it appears in Bronson as No. 59. Sharp's notes follow. Sharp got the name wrong, the informant is Joe "Dad" Blackard.
    xx. [Dear Sister] - Sung by Mrs. DELIE HUGHES at Cane River, Burnsville, N. C , Oct. 9, 1918. My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp/Karpeles 1932, version M, w/music.
    yy. [Beaver Hat] Sharp MSS., 4627. Sung by Mrs. Laurel Jones, Burnsville, N.C., September 17, 1918.  Bronson, No. 75.
    zz. "The Old Lord of the North Country" or "The Three Sisters." Collected by Mr. John Stone. Sung by Mr. A. S. Furcron. Fauquier County. November 10, 1919. With music. From Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version A.
    aaa. [Old Lady in the North Country] No local title. Communicated by Mr. S. M. Kelley, Suter, Pennsylvania,  1919; collected in West Virginia. My title. From Folk-Songs of the South, John Harrington Cox, 1925, w/music.
    bbb. "The Two Sisters." Taken down by Mrs. Frank Martin of Warrensburg (Maude Williams) in 1920 from the singing of a woman who had 'spent her girlhood in Kentucky, where she learned this and a lot of other songs.' From Belden, Ballads and Songs Collected by the Missouri Folklore Society, 1940, version F.
    ccc.  "The Two Sisters"- Hudson, 1937, No. 25. Sung by Mrs. R. C. Jones and Frank Harmon, Oxford, Miss., 1923-30. From Hudson, Folksongs of Mississippi, 1937, Bronson 76.
    ddd. [Sister] The Two Sisters, Sung by Henry Pritchard, Weeksville, NC; 1924. My title. Fragment from Chappell's 1939 book, Folk Songs of Roanoke and the Abemerle.
    eee. "The Old Woman of the North Countree." Collected by Mr. B. C. Moomaw, Jr., of Barber, Va. sung by Mr. Sam Pritt, Alleghany County. November 29, 1924. With music. From Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version B.
    fff. "The Two Sisters." From: The Land of Saddle-bags: A Study of the Mountain People of Appalachia  by James Watt Raine; 1924 with music.
    ggg. "There was an Old Farmer"- Sung by ]essie McCue, Hookersville, W.Va., November 10, 1925, learned from a family named Hamricks. From Cox, 1939, pp. 6-7. Bronson 69.
    hhh. [Two Sisters] Fragment, from the singing of Mrs. Rose Robbins, Northeast Harbor, September, 1928. Melody recorded by Mr. George Herzog. My title. Fragment from British Ballads from Maine, Barry Eckstrom, Smyth, 1929, version C.
    iii. "The Two Sisters," from Southern Appalachians. From: American Mountain Songs by Ethel Park Richardson, 1927 with music. No informant, date or location indicated.
    jjj. "The Two Sisters," sung by Bradley Kincaid. From my Favorite Mountain Ballads and Old-Time Songs by Bradley Kincaid, 1928. As sung on WLS.
    kkk. "The Twa Sisters." Recorded by Mrs. Henry from the singing of Miss Cora Clark, Crossnore, Avery County, North Carolina, July 12, 1929. From: Still More Ballads and Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands by Mellinger E. Henry The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 45, No. 175 (Jan. - Mar., 1932), pp. 1-176, Version A.
    lll. "There Was An Old Jaynor," sung by Mrs. Violet Savory Justis of Clinton, Missouri; 1930. From Vance Randolph, "Ozark Folksongs," Vol 1: Ballads, Version B.
    mmm. "The Two Sisters" Recorded by Mrs. Henry from the singing of Mrs. Samuel Harmon, Cade's Cove, Blount County, Tennessee, August 13, 1930, [From: Still More Ballads and Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands by Mellinger E. Henry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 45, No. 175 (Jan. - Mar., 1932), pp. 1-176; Reprinted in his 1938 book, Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands, Version B.
    nnn. [The Oldest Sister] sung by Mr. F. M. Goodhue (Mena, Ark.) July 9, 1930; Randolph Version A; learned from a blind woman in the hills of Mena, Arkansas.
    ooo.  [Bow Your Bend To Me]- Jean Ritchie, from her sister Una about 1930. Ritchie's title. From Jean Ritchie, Child Ballads Traditional in the United States, recording by Moser in 1946.
    ppp. "The Two Sisters" sung by  A.B. Nelson as learned from his grandmother in Texas before 1930. From Tone the Bell Easy, Dobie, 1932.
    qqq. The "Two Sisters" from Missouri by J. N. Smelser;  The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 44, No. 173 (Jul. - Sep., 1931), pp. 295-296; Phoenix, Arizona.
    rrr. "The Twa Sisters." collected by Miss Martha M. Davis, of Harrisonburg, Va., Rockingham county, 1931. From Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960, with music, version EE.
    sss.  Bowie, Bowerie- Arlie Tolliver of Cumberland, Kentucky, c. 1932. From the 1961 book, The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles. The text seems traditional, but it's arranged in an unusual fashion, with the refrain sung first.
    ttt. "The Little Drownded Girl," from Patterson Whetmore of KY, 1932; From the 1961 book, The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, w/music. Niles learned from this version Patterson Whetmore, in 1932 on the steps of the Hatcher Hotel in Pikeville, Ky. Probably a recreation.
    uuu. "Two Sisters." Sung by Horton Barker, who originally was from Tennessee, first recorded his version in 1932 for Kyle Davis, Jr. (More Traditional Ballads) and then again in 1939 for Halpert (Bronson 67). Also contributed by Dr. W. A.  Abrams to the present editor in 1951; also sung to the latter personally by the  same singer at his home in Chilhowie, Virginia, June, 1952,  Brown F Vol. 4;  Abrams Variant 3.
    vvv. "The Two Sisters"  western version with yodels arranged by "Nick" Manoloff.  Vincent, 1932, p. 22.
    www. "The Two Sisters." Phonograph record (aluminum) made by A. K. Davis, Jr. Sung by Mrs. Kit Williamson of Yellow Branch, Va. Campbell County. August 4, 1932. My title, none given in Bronson 1959, No. 56, Wilkinson B. Davis gives the title as "The Two Sisters," More Traditional Ballads, 1960, version BB.
    xxx. "Bow Ye Down." phonograph record (aluminum) made by A. K. Davis, Jr. Sung by Mrs. Orpha Pedneau of Va. Montgomery county. August 15, 1932. From Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960, with music, version JJ.
    yyy. [Three Daughters] from Prusser (Ark.) 1933; From Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1, Ballads, 1946, version C.
    zzz. "The Old Lord by the Northern Sea," sung by Doanie Fugate of KY August, 1933, collected Niles, The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, version A.
    aaaa. "Two Young Daughters," Sung by Mrs. Louise M. Bender, Springfield, Mo., April 20, 1934. From Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1, Ballads, 1946, version D.
    bbbb. "The Wed Lady." Collected by Miss Juliet Fauntleroy, of Altavista, Va. Sung by Mrs. Maggie Sandidge, of Leesville, Va., who learned it from her mother, Mrs. Zach ogden, of Amherst county. Campbell County. April 27, 1934. From Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960.
    cccc. "There Was an Old Woman Lived in the West"  Secured from Mrs. A. W. Corn, Winslow. Mrs. Corn learned it from the singing of her grandmother, Mrs. Asenath McDonald Barrett, in Pike County. From: Traditional Ballads from Indiana by Paul G. Brewster; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 48, No. 190 (Oct.- Dec., 1935), pp. 295-317.
    dddd. "The Two Sisters," sung by Jane Morris (Va) 1935. My title. From Winston Wilkinson's manuscript book, version D (Bronson 28).
    eeee. [Daughters Three (The Two Sisters)"]- Wilkinson MSS., 1935-36, p. 15(C). Sung by Mrs. W. I. Reynolds, Altavista, Va., October 19, 1935 . My title, none given. From Bronson, No. 37. Single stanza with music from the notebook of William Wilkinson.
    ffff. "[Lord Mayor] The Two Sisters," sung by Mrs. F. S. Smith of Va. My title. From Winston Wilkinson's manuscript book, version D (Bronson 28).
    gggg. [Daughters Three (The Two Sisters)]- Wilkinson MSS., 1935-36, p. 15(E); Sung by Mrs. Texas Anne Lewis, Mount Crawford, Va., October 31, 1935. My title, none given. From Bronson, No. 36. Single stanza with music from the notebook of William Wilkinson version E.
    hhhh. [Daughters Three] - Wilkinson MSS., 1935-36, p. 19(F). Sung by Z.B. Lam, Standardsville, Va., November 3, 1935. My title, none given. From Bronson, No. 57. Single stanza with music from the notebook of William Wilkinson, version F.
    iiii. [Daughters Three]- Wilkinson MSS., 1935-36, pp. 20-22(G). Sung by T. Henry Lam, Elkton, Va., November 6, 1935. My title, none given. From Bronson, No. 58.Full text with music from the notebook of William Wilkinson, version G.
    jjjj. "There Was an Old Woman Lived in the West." Contributed by Miss Lucile Wilkin, of Connersville, Indiana. Fayette County. September 26, 1935. With music. My abbreviated title. From Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana, 1940, Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series.
    kkkk. "The Youngest Daughter." Recorded, in south Royalton, Vermont, from the singing of Amos J. Eaton, brother to H. S. Eaton of Westfield, Massachusetts. From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, Vol. 1, 1966, w/music, version A. This version has an unusual repeated-line form because it has no refrains.
    llll. [Sister, O  Sister]- Wilkinson MSS, 1935-36, p. 23(H). Sung by Richard Chase, Chapel Hill, N.C., April 4, 1936. My title, none given. From Bronson, No. 53. Single stanza with music from the notebook of William Wilkinson, version H.
    mmmm. "Two Little Sisters." Contributed by Mrs. Will McCullough and Miss Doris McCullough, of Oakland City, Indiana. Gibson County. November 8, 1936. Fragment. From Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana, 1940, Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series, version E.
    nnnn. "The Two Sisters," from Mrs. Charity Lovingood (NC) pre1936 Scarborough; published in A Song Catcher in Southern Mountains 1937.
    oooo. [Bow Bans To Me] No title given. Contributed by Mrs. Thomas M. Bryant, of Evansville, Indiana. Vanderburg County. January 17, 1936. My title. From Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana, 1940, Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series, version D.
    pppp. [Old Woman Lived on the Seashore.] No title given. Contributed by Miss Glenn Eno, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Marion County. Learned in Sullivan County from the singing of a hired girl. February 16, 1936.
My title. From Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana, 1940, Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series, version B.
    qqqq. "Bow Down," sung by Clora Green, Allegheny County, NC circa 1936, with music. From a manuscript in the collection of Maurice Matteson- apparently this was from a second book of songs which was to follow "Folk Songs and Ballads from Beech Mountain" in 1936.
    rrrr. "Bow-ee Down'  sung by Mrs. Demma Ray Oldham, Oklahoma city, Oklahoma County, who heard in Arkansas. [From The American Play-Party Song; Botkin, 1937 version B.
    pppp. "The Old Woman By The Seashore," sung by Mrs. L. T. Monnett, Norman, cleveland County, who played it in Missouri. From The American Play-Party Song; Botkin, 1937 version C.
    ssss. [Daughters Three or Four]- Horn, TFSB, IV (November 1938), p. 74. Sung by John Milmine, Maryville College, Tenn. My title. Single stanza with music as Bronson 24, from Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin; 1938.
     tttt. "The Two Little Sisters" sung by Misses Edna and Lena Jennings; pre-1939; learned from May and Kate Gardner Sugar Grove, Ohio. Published by Mary Eddy in her 1939 book, Ballads and Songs from Ohio.
    uuuu. There Lived an Old Lord sung by Rosie Hall of KY by 1939; Jean Thomas My title, replacing the generic Child title. From Jean Thomas, The Singin' Gatherin', 1939.
    vvvv. "Old Man from the North Countree." Contributed by Otis S. Kuykendall of Asheville in 1939. From The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, version B.
    wwww. [Miller, O Miller]- Recorded by Halpert, LC/AAFS, rec. 2737 A1. Sung by Anne Corbin Ball.
Richmond, Va., 1939. From Library of Congress recording AAFS, rec. 2737 A1 made by Halpert in 1939. Bronson 60, w/music.
    xxxx. "The Two Sisters." The following words were dictated by Mrs. Ellen M. Sullivan of Springfield, Vermont, c. 1939 and taken down by her daughter Kathleen (Mrs. Harry Thomas). From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, Vol. 1, 1966, version E.
    yyyy. Two Sisters- sung by Thelma Shatzel of Otsego, NY before 1939, collected by Harold Thompson. From his Body, Boots & Britches, Dover, Bk (1939), p. 393.
    zzzz. "Balance Unto Me," Mrs. Alice Ridgeway Tucker of Davidsonville, Maryland, c. 1940. From Maryland Folk Legends and Folk Songs; Carey, 1971.
    aaaaa. "The Prince by the Northern Sea," My title. Burl Ives recording c. 1940. On the Abrams Collection site: "Recorded from the Columbia Radio School of the Air program, Burl Ives performs "The Twa Sisters."
    bbbbb. "The Two Sisters." Text and melody Lily Mae Leford, from her granddaughter Carri Norris. Recorded live at The Blackstone River Theatre, September 30, 2000.
    ccccc.  [The Three Daughters]  My title. Sung by Mrs. Anna Johnson. Recorded from the original  procured by Dr. W. A. Abrams at North Wilkesboro, Wilkes county, September 14, 1941. From The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, Brown 4-G.
    ddddd. "Three Old Maids on a Saucer Brim." A fragment from Mrs. Dellie Drain, Rogers, Ark., March 14, 1941. Clearly this title is supposed to be, "Salt-sea Brim" or "salty brim."  From Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1, 1946, version H.
    eeeee. "Two Little Sisters." Sung by Mrs. Martha Garrison Marshall, Ark., July 1942. Fragment from Theodore Garrison, Forty-Five Folk Songs, Collected from Searcy County, Arkansas. M. A. Thesis, University of Arkansas, 1944. Bronson 77.
    fffff. "Two Little Sisters." A single stanza, in Dr. Brown's hand, probably taken down from some  student's recitation. [My title. Fragment from The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, Brown D.
     ggggg. "The Two Sisters." There is no recording of this version, but the Collection  contains two manuscript copies, in different hands but otherwise identical, of  the words and tune. From The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, Viol. 4 version A, by an unknown informant.
    hhhhh. [My Sister Kate] My title. Fragment from "Uncle" Pat Frye East Bend, Yadkin County, North Carolina as sung Sept 2, 1944 on recording on Abrams site  Also from The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, version E.
     iiiii. "The Three Sisters," As sung by Miss Edith Balenger Price. of Newport, Rhode Island on October 25, 1945, M. Olney, Collector.  From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, Vol. 1, 1966, w/music, Flanders C.
     jjjjj. "The Two Sisters." As sung at Pine Mountain, Hindman, Ky. No informant named, or date, with music. From Songs of All Time- contributions  by Edna Ritchie, Ray McLain, Richard Chase and Marie Marvel, 1946.
    kkkkk. [Two Daughters] "The Two Sisters" Collected from Miss Marie Murray of Heber, July 22, 1947. My title. Fragment from Hubbard, Ballads and Songs from Utah, 1961.
    lllll. "The Two Sisters." From a recording by Dick Greenhaus as  learned from Margot Mayo c. 1948; her source is unknown.
    mmmmm.  "There Was an Old Woman." Phonograph record (fiber base) made by Fred F. Knobloch, of Crozet, Va. Sung by Mrs. Edna Ethel McAlexander, of Meadows of Dan, Va. Patrick County. April 1, 1948. From Davis, More Traditional Ballad of Virginia, 1960, with music, version DD.
    nnnnn. "Two Sisters." A fragment was recorded, on May 17, 1949, as Mrs. Edwin C. White of Naugatuck, Connecticut, sang. From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, Vol. 1, 1966, w/music, version D.
    ooooo. "The Old Man in the North Country." Emirich, LC/AAFS, No. 9474 At Sung by Bascom L. Lunsford in Washington, D.C., April, 1949; learned in the region around Asheville, N.C.
    ppppp. "Balance Unto Me," sung by Thomas Furlow; (Frostburg , MD) June 3, 1952. Single stanza with music, no place mentioned in MS. From a manuscript in the collection of Maurice Matteson.
    qqqqq. "The Two Sisters," sung by Virgil Lance of Mountain Home, Ark., September 4, 1953. Fragment of The Two Sisters from Ozark Folksong Collection, Reel 148 Item 1. Collected & transcribed by Mary Celestia Parler.
    rrrrr. The Two Sisters- sung  by Buell Kazee of KY in 1954. From In the Pines Roberts 1978, w/music. According to Roberts, Kazee learned this ballad from his mother.
    sssss. "Two Little Sisters," sung by Henry Weare of DeVall's Bluff, Ark., March, 1954, from Ozark Folksong Collection, Reel 201, Item 6. Collected by Mary Celestia Parler.
    ttttt. "Tulsey Brim." Sung by Kendall Sigmund; Butler's Ford, Ark., September 17, 1955. Fragment of The Two Sisters from Ozark Folksong Collection, Reel 230, Item 2. Collected by Mary Celestia Parler. Curiously this title is a mondegreen for "Salty Brim."
    uuuuu. "The Two Sisters" Text and tune contributed by Mrs. Amanda Ellen Eddy of Rivesville, who learned them from her mother. From: Ballads and Folksongs from West Virginia by Ruth Ann Musick; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 70, No. 277 (Jul. - Sep., 1957), pp. 247-261.
    vvvvv. "Bow, And Balance To Me." Sung by E.G. (Gale) Huntington (Martha's Vineyard, Mass.) 1958. From Folk Songs from Martha's Vineyard; E.G. Huntington; Album No. FA 2032;  1958 by Folkways Records.
    wwwww. "The Old Woman Lived on a Sea Shore." As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pochahantas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958. From Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, online w/recording.
    xxxxx. "The Miller's Daughter." As sung by Mr. Fred Smith, Bentonville, Arkansas on June 23, 1958. From Max Hunter Folk Song Collection; online w/recording.
    yyyyy. "Two Sisters." Sung by Lizzie Maguire of Fayetteville, Arkansas; August 8, 1958, from Ozark Folksong Collection, Reel 244 Item 2. Collected by: James Ward Lee and Ralph E. Roberts for Mary Celestia Parler.
    zzzzz. "The Squire's Daughter," sung by Lula Curry, KY, 1960.  From Folkways Records Album No. FA 2358; 1960 Jean Thomas, The Traipsin' Woman recording of the American Folk Song Festival.
    aaaaaa. The Two Sisters- collected by George Foss from Mildred Creighton, Carrie Kentucky 1962. From McNeil, Southern folk Ballads, 1988.
    bbbbbb. The Twin Sisters- sung by O.S. Townsend of Tecumseh. From Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest, by Ethel and Chauncey Moore, 1964- with music.
    cccccc.  "The Two Sisters," sung by G.W. Galloway of Bristow. Mr. Galloway was born in Alabama and came to Oklahoma in 1931. From Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest, by Ethel and Chauncey Moore, 1964- single stanza with music.
    dddddd. "The Two Sisters," as sung by Mrs. Ernest Shope, Kentucky.  From Margaret Sweeney: Kentucky Folklore Record 11:2 (1965) pp.18-20, as sung by Mrs. Ernest Shope, Kentucky.
    eeeeee. "The Lord of the North Country," sung by Margaret Moomaw Tuckwiller of Lewisburg, West Virginia in November, 1969, and Dr. Boette wrote down the tune from the tape. From Singa Hypsy Doodle, Boette 1971.
    ffffff. "Two Sisters." As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on September 16, 1969, from Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, online.
    gggggg. "The Sister's Murder," attributed to Jack Hamrick; from Gainer (West Virginia) c. late 1960s Not usually a local title- surely from Patrick Gainer. From West Virginia University's online site recorded in late 1960s, from Singa Hypsy Doodle 1971, and from "Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills (1975).
    hhhhhh. [Daughters Three]- from Maggie Hammons [Parker] (W. Virginia) c.1960s;  My title, replacing Gainer's title. From West Virginia University Library online.
    iiiiii. "Bow Down" from the singing of Thomas Furlow of Cumberland, Maryland. From Maryland Folk Legends and Folk Songs; Carey, 1971.
    jjjjjj. "The Two Sisters," sung by George Fradley of Sudbury Derbyshire in April, 1984 collected by Mike Yates. Recording from Veteran VT 114 ('One of the Best').

D. "Binnorie (Binorie)" and "Bonnie Milldams o Binnorie" also "Bonny Bows o London" and "Norham, down by Norham" with resuscitation stanzas. Scottish, quatrain form, named after refrains.
    a. "Bowes of London (Twa Sisters)," compiled by Elizabeth St. Claire of Edinburgh around 1770. From Mansfield Manuscripts as published in "Transactions and Journal of Proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society," page 76, 77;  1936.
    b. "The Twa Sisters" Scottish c. 1790. Copied Oct. 26, 1861, by J. F. Campbell, Esq., from a collection made by Lady Caroline Murray of Richmond, Surrey (b. 1791); traced by her to an old nurse, and beyond the beginning of this century. Refrains are varied from standard "Binorie" refrains, Child Q.
    c. "Cruel Sister" composite of Irish tradition dated c.1790s and Mrs. Brown's Scottish version recreated by Scott published in his Minstrelsy, 1802 with resuscitation stanzas and "Binnorie" refrains, Child C.
    d. "Twa Sisters," taken down "from a Miss Nancy Brockie of Bemerside (Berwickshire, Scotland)" 1813. From Manuscript of Thomas Wilkie, p. 1, in "Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy," No 82. Appears in Child's English and Scottish Popular Ballads (Additions and Corrections), no letter designation, Barry gives it as Child CC.
    e. "There Were Three Sisters" taken from I. Goldie (J. Goldie?) of Paisley in March, 1825. From  Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 147, Child H.
    f. "The Bonny Bows o London" from the recitation of Agnes Lyle, Kilbarchan, 27th July, 1825. From ESPB, volume 1, 1882 as from Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 383. Child, Version F.
    g. "The Twa Sisters." From the recitation of M. Kinnear, the editor's niece from Mearnshire, north of Scotland on 23d August, 1826. From Kinloch Manuscripts, B, 425. 1827, p.136, Child I.
    h. "Binnorie" fragment from Mrs. Lindores of Kelso Roxburghshire, c.1826, Mr. G.R. Kinloch's papers, Kinloch Manuscripts, II, 59, Child K.
    i. "The Bows o' London," sung by Mrs. MacConechie, a tailor's wife, of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire in 1827. Collected by Thomas Macqueen, from Andrew Crawfurd's collection of ballads and songs, Volume 2, edited Lyle, Scottish Text Society, 1996.
    j. "The Bows o' London," sung by Mrs. Robert Fyfe of Kilbirnie, North Aryshire in 1827. Collected by Andrew Sloan.  From Andrew Crawfurd's collection of ballads and songs, Volume 2, edited Lyle, Scottish Text Society, 1996.
    k. "The Bonny Bows of London," taken down from an old woman from north Scotland. From Ancient Ballads and Songs of the North of Scotland, p. 128, Buchan, 1828, Child Oa. 
    l.  "Norham, Down By Norham" dated c.1830 as communicated by Mr. Thomas Lugton, of Kelso, Roxburghshire, as sung by an old cotter-woman fifty years ago; learned by her from her grandfather; Child W.
    m. "Binnorie, O Binnorie" the air is taken from a country person in Coldstream, Berwickshire, in or about the year 1830 by Thomas Lugton (see previous version k). The text is from an unknown source in Ford's "Vagabond Songs and Ballads of Scotland: Second Series," Volume 2, 1901.
    n. "Binnorie, O Binnorie," from an old Buchan singer of Aberdenshire pre-1842, From Traditional Ballad Airs:  Volume 1, edited by William Christie, 1876. His notes follow. The text is probably an arrangement taken from other printed sources.
    o. "Benorie," Campbell MS from Scottish highlands, c.1860, John Francis Campbell was author of "Popular Tales of the West Highlands;" Child V.
    p. "The Bonny Bows o' London," from the singing of an old woman in Buckie, (Enzie, Banffshire,) who died in 1866. From Traditional Ballad Airs, edited by W. Christie, I, 42; text modified from Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland; Child Ob.
    q. "Binnorie, or, The Cruel Sister" No informant is named, text probably taken from Child C. From the "Northumbrian Minstrelsy" edited by John Collingwood Bruce, John Stokoe, 1882.
    r. "Two Sisters," Sung by Mrs. Walters, (Senior), Rocky Harbor, 1920. My title. From Ballads and Sea-Songs of Newfoundland by Elizabeth Bristol Greenleaf, Grace Yarrow Mansfield - ‎1933. The refrain is similar to the archaic Scottish Bows of London refrain.
    s. "Bonnie Milldams o Binnorie" from John Ord, no source given but from Scotland before 1930. From: Bothy Songs and Ballads by John Ord with music. This seems like an arrangement of Child C, Scott's 1802 version.
    t. "Binorie" from Mrs Watson Gray, Corner House, East Street, Fochabers, Scotland, 1931. Partly from her sister, Helen Mackaye. From the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/2/2/M, pp. 05893-05895.
    u. "Bilnorie," sung by Peter Christie (b. 1870) of 21 Shore Road, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire about 1931. From: James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/8/1/B, p. 11501. This version resembles Walter Scott's version, Child C.
    v.  "The Miller." This fragment was recited by Daniel Dragon of Ripton, Vermont, who learned it from his mother. M. Olney, Collector July 9, 1943. My title. From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, Vol. 1, 1966. No refrains given but it seems to fit here best.
    w. "Binnorie." As sung by Archie Webster of Strathkinness near St Andrews recorded on several occasions in February 1968 [Spr 69.2.12, 14, 15] From Springthyme website, transcription is incomplete at end.

E. "Binnorie (Binorie)" and "Bonnie Milldams o Binnorie" without resuscitation stanzas. Scottish, quatrain form; named after refrains, the second refrain is usually variable. Early date: 1776 Pinkerton.
    a. "Binnorie" partially traditional from Edinburgh, from Pinkerton's Scottish Tragic Ballads, p. 72 MS dated 1778, published 1781, Child N. First published Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic Ballads, Etc, Volume 2, David Herd, 1776.
    b. "Binnorie," fragment from Dr. Joseph Robertson's Note-Book, January 1, 1830, p. 7, Child X.
    c. "Binorie," sung by Miss Bell Duncan of Lambhill, Insch, Aberdeenshire about 1931, probably dating back to early to mid-1800s. My date, c. 1868 from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/11/285, Disc Side 279, 04:21.
    d. "Binorie," sung by Mrs. Mary Thain of Castle St., Banff, learned before 1870 from Kate McClennan; from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/T, p. 08721
    e. "Binorie, O an' Binorie," from recitation at Old Deir (Deer), 1876, by Mrs. A. F. Murison; manuscript, p. 79, Child M.
    f. "Binorie," sung by David Edwards of 84 High st. Cuninestown, Aberdeenshire. Learned in the Cornhill district about 1880. This version is mysteriously missing the ending-- from the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/11/198, Disc Side 192, 01:41.
    g. "Binorie," sung by William Walker (b. 1870) of Bonnykelly, New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire; learned about 1900 from Alex McDonald. From James Madison Carpenter Collection (JMC/1/8/1/A, p. 11483).
    h. "Binorie" as sung by Margaret Gillespie (1841-1910, Glasgow), George B. Duncan (b. 1860, New Deer) and  Rev. James B. Duncan (Lynturk), compiled by 1905 when Gillespie's melody was recorded. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, p.76-77. Child M variant.
    i. "Binorie" from Duncan's MSS sung by Mary McWilliam, Grange, 1905, taken down by Jeanie McDonald of Alford. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/4/Q, p. 07736.
    j.  "Binorie" sung by Alex Robb of New Deer, Aberdeenshire, c. 1906. My date. Fragment from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection with music, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, version B. Also found in Keith, Last Leaves and in the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/8/1/H, p. 11912.
    k. "Minorie," recited by Bell Robertson of New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire; collected about 1906 by Grieg, version S, also in Keith/Greig's "Last Leaves."
    l. "The Milldams o' Binorie" sung by William Argo of Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire, c. 1907, collected Duncan. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, version C.
    m. "Binnorie" sung by Mrs. Goodall (formerly Miss Jessie H. Macdonald) of Alford, Aberdeenshire, c. 1907, collected by Duncan. Wife of farmer of Carnaveron. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, version E.
    n. "Binorie" sung by Mrs. Lyall of Lyne of Skeene, Aberdeenshire, dated Nov. 7, 1907, collected by Duncan. Got her ballads from her mother who may have got them from her father also a singer and fiddler. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, version D.
    o. "Binorie" sung by Robert Alexander of Bourtie, Aberdeenshire, c. 1907, collected by Duncan. [From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, version F.
    p. "Binorie," sung by Miss Littlejohn of Blanchory, Aberdeenshire about 1907. Collected Grieg, version H. My date. Fragment with music from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    q. "Binorie," sung by Mrs Fowlie of Bonnykelly New Deer, Aberdeenshire about 1907. Collected Grieg, version I. My date. Fragment with music from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    r. "Binorie," sung by Mrs Milne of New Deer, Aberdeenshire about 1907. Collected Grieg, version K. My date. Fragment with music from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    s. "Binorie," sung by John Johnstone of New Deer, Aberdeenshire about 1907. Collected Grieg, version M. My date. Fragment with music from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    t. "Binorie," sung by J. W. Spence from Fyvie, Aberdeenshire about 1907. Collected Grieg, version O. My date. Fragment with music from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    u. "Binorie," sung by William Reid from Turriff, Aberdeenshire about 1907. Collected Grieg, version P. My date. Fragment with music from Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    v. "Binorrie," sung by James Morrison of Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire about 1907, collected by Greig, version T. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw.
    w. "The Mull Dams o' Binorrie," sung by Mrs Duncan of New Deer, Aberdeenshire about 1907, collected by Earnest Coutts for Greig. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw. Has the miller dying at the burial.
    x. "Binnorie" as sung by Annie Shirer of Kininmouth, c. 1907. From Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, Lyle and Shuldham-Shaw, p.76-77.  Similar to Child M. Has miller laddie dying at her grave making.
    y. "Binorie" sung by Willie Mathieson b. 1879 of Ellon, Aberdeenshire before 1910 as learned from his second wife's grandfather Sandy Ross. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/T, p. 08715; see also Grieg's newspaper article c. 1910; School of Scottish studies (1952)
    z. [Two Sisters]- Sung by Mrs. Irene Carlisle, Fayetteville, Ark., Oct. 26, 1941. Learned from her grandmother in 1912. From Vance Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, 1946, Vol. 1 Ballads, version F.
    aa. "The Twa Sisters," sung by Ethel Findlater (1899-1973) of Dounby, Orkney, who learned this tragic ballad from her cousin Bella fifty-five years previously (c.1914). From Collection at School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1969.052
    bb.  "Binorie," from recitation of Mr. Shivas before 1929 when he died; collected by Miss Bell Duncan of Old Deer, Aberdeenshire. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/4/Q, p. 07725, standard version (Child M type).
    cc. [Sometimes She Sank.] Fragment taken down, September, 1929, from Mrs. Sarah (Robinson) Black, Southwest Harbor, who learned it of her mother, Mrs. Abby Kelley learned it of her mother, Mrs. Mary (Lurvey) Kelley, of Trenton. My title. Fragment from British Ballads from Maine, Barry Eckstrom, Smyth, 1929, version B.
    dd. "Two Sisters," sung by Alex Troup (1851- 1939) of Overton, district of Insch, Aberdeenshire; brother of Isaac Troup. Fragment with music from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/8/1/D, p. 11671.
    ee.  "Binnorie O Binnorie," sung by John Strachan of Aberdeenshire, c. 1931 and again in 1951. This Carpenter version of Child 10 is from the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/T, pp. 08719-08720. A better recording is found online-- made by Alan Lomax in 1951.
    ff. "Twa Sisters," sung by Mrs. T. Durward, no location probably Aberdeenshire, c. 1931. Single stanza with music from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/8/1/I, p. 11974.
    gg. "Twa Sisters," sung by Carrie Lindsay of unknown location, probably Aberdeenshire, collected by Carpenter before 1931. Two stanza fragment with music from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/T, p. 08704.
    hh. "Two Sisters," sung by Mrs. B.D. Cameron of probably Aberdeenshire collected by Alexander Keith before 1931. Fragment from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/T, p. 08706. Has a variation of Child B, Mrs. Brown's first refrain and perhaps is better suited under B.
    ii. "Binorie," sung by William McKenzie of Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, about 1931. This short version is from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/11/160, Disc Side 154, 01:14. Cf. Child M, standard Scottish text.
    jj. "Binorie," sung by Mrs. William Duncan, Tories, Oyne, By Turriff, Aberdeenshire, about 1931. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/T, p. 08709, standard text, cf. Child M.
    kk. "Binorie," sung by Mrs. J. H. Goodall of East Gate, Alford,  Aberdeenshire about 1931. Fragmented short version from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/2/2/M, p. 05879. Cf. Willie Mathieson (Child M).
    ll. "Binorie" sung by Mrs Jane Lobban of Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland about 1931. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/4/Q, p. 07736, standard text, a few stanzas missing. Miller laddie dies at burial.
    mm. "Binorie" sung by Mrs. James Pirie of Kirkside, Alvah, Banff, Scotland about 1931. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/4/Q, p. 07734, standard text except the miller doesn't die at the burial.
    nn. "Binorie," sung by John Argo of New Deer, Aberdeenshire in January, 1952; recorded by Hamlish Henderson. From: Collection - School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1952.022
    oo. "Binorie," sung by George Hay of Turriff, Aberdeenshire in January, 1952; recorded by Hamlish Henderson. From: School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1952.020.
    pp. "The Bonny Busk Of London," sung by Mrs. Charlotte Decker of Parson's Pond 1959. Collected by Kenneth Peacock, published in Songs Of The Newfoundland Outports, Volume 1, p.179-180, by The National Museum of Canada (1965).
    qq. "The Twa Sisters," sung Rob Watt of Aberdeenshire in 1960, recorded by Arthur Argo. Fragment from Collection - School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1960.253.
    rr. "Minorie," attributed to  William Miller of Sterlingshire, Scotland before 1960. Seeger & MacColl, Singing Island (1960) p.85; The Long Harvest, record 1, ballad 1, Version A. Although attributed to his father, it more likely an arrangement by MacColl. Bell Robertson used the same name for her version.

F. "Hey Nanny, O" and "Swans Swim Bonnie" with resuscitation stanzas. Irish, Scottish, quatrain form, named after refrains. Some versions have and early skin color stanza.
    a. "Swan Swims Bonny," from Miss Brooke of Ireland, c. 1790 but probably older. Reconstructed from Child C to be the original 14 stanzas. Sent to Scott by J. C. Walker, Esq., version Child C*.
    b. "There Were Three Sisters," from Mrs. King of Kilbarchan. Renfrewshire c. 1825; Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 104, Child G.
    c. "The Swan Swims Bonnie O," unknown informant, Scotland, 1827, Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 245; Child Pa.
    d. "The Swan Swims Bonnie O" fragment from unknown informant, Scotland, Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Appendix, p. xx. 1827; Child Pb.
    e. "The Miller's Melody" from an 1870 issue of Notes and Queries, 4th S., V, 23, from the north of Ireland; Child J.
    f. "The Swan Swims Bonny O," sung by Irishman W.H. Lunt of Liverpool in 1892, who got it from an old Irish woman when he was young. Text and melody Frank Kidson Manuscript Collection (FK/2/3).
    g. "Hey Ho, my Nancy Oh!" Fragment contributed by T.B. as sung by James Moylan, a gardener, from Petrie No. 688, c. 1902.
    h. "Twa Sisters," sung by Mrs Mary Stewart Robertson , 6 Auchreddie Road, New Deer, Scotland, 1932, learned from her mother, never saw in print. From the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/4/Q, pp. 07726-07727.
    i. "The Swans Swim sae Bonnie." As sung by Jock White, Marshall's Field, Alyth, Angus, 1953; from Hamlish Henderson; text from Springthyme online.
    j. "Swan Swims So Bonnie," sung by Lucy Stewart from Aberdeenshire. First collected by Peter Kennedy, Hamish Henderson, in June 1955. See also: School of Scottish Studies The Swans Swim So Bonnie 1959. Text from From Topic TSCD 673T ('Good People Take Warning') titled The Twa Sisters; also Volume 1, Child Ballads, Folkways FG 3519, 1961.
    k. "Swan it Swims Sae Bonnie, O," attributed to Christina MacAllister of Aberdeenshire, collected by Ewan Maccoll, Peggy Seeger in 1962. Same text as by Mrs. Kelby of Aberdeen which MacColl sent to Bronson before 1965.
    l. "The Swans Swim Sae Bonnie." As sung by Belle Stewart of Blairgowrie, Perthshire during the Blairgowrie berrypicking season in August 1964. From the Singing Tradition (Springthyme website), collector not named.
    m. "Swan Swims so Bonny (Binnorie)," sung by Jessie MacDonald b. 1885 from Braemar, Aberdeenshire; recorded by Peter Hall in January, 1968. My title, obviously Binnorie is wrong. From Collection, School of Scottish Studies. Original Tape ID - SA1967.141.
    n. "The Swan Swims Bonnie," tune from Stewart Belle Stewart of Blairgowrie, Perthshire. A collated text from The Scottish Folksinger (Buchan and Hall, 1973).
    o. Swan Sweems Sae Bonnie- sung by Johnny Whyte of Montrose area in Aberdeenshire,  1975. From: "Narative singing Among the Scots travelers" by Linda Williamson. This is by Johnny Whyte and is taken from his mother Jean McLauren.
    p. "Swan Swam Sae Bonnie," sung by Betsy Whyte, adapted in part from her brother-in-law Johnny Whtye. Her recording was included in the anthology The Muckle Sangs (Scottish Tradition Volume 5; Tangent 1975; Greentrax 1992).
    q. "Twa Sisters." Attributed to Christina MacAllister wit hending stanzas from Kelby and White of Aberdeenshire. Published in MacColl and Seeger's 1977 book, Travellers' Songs from England and Scotland.   Mc Allister's text is identical to the version of Mrs. Kelby that MacColl sent to Bronson by 1965. The last two verses from singing of Willie Kelby (husband of Mrs. Kelby?) and Mr. White (no first name).
    r. "Twa Sisters."  Fragment sung by Sheila Stewart of Blairgowie, Perth on Nov. 18, 1977. Attributed to Lizzie McPhee, from Tobar an Dualchais / Kist o Riches (website) Collection - School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1977.158.
    s. "Binnorrie (Swan It Swims)," sung by Elixabeth Stewart of the Aberdeenshire Fetterangus Stewart family, dated c. 1978. My date. Up Yon Wide and Lonely Glen: Travellers' Songs, Stories and Tunes by Elizabeth Stewart; Also  Elizabeth Stewart,  Songs, ballads and tunes; Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen EICD00.

G. "Hey Nanny, O" and "Swans Swim Bonnie" without resuscitation stanzas. Irish-Scottish, quatrain form, named after refrains.
    a. "Swan Swims Bonnie," sung by Ann Baillie of Newton,  Ayr during March/April of 1827, collected by Thomas Macqueen for Crawfurd.  Single stanza from Andrew Crawfurd's collection of ballads and songs, Volume 2, edited Lyle; Scottish Text Society, 1996. 
    b. [The Miller's Daughter] No title given. collected by Miss Martha M. Davis. From the singing of her grandmother Rockingham County; January 8, 1914, Miss Davis writes: "My grandmother sang this ballad in broad-Scotch, but this is all we can recover." My title, none given. From Davis, Traditional Ballads From Virginia, 1929, version E.
    c. "The Swim Swom Bonny" sung by Nicholas W. Butcher of Wetzel County, WV, before 1935, Bayard, published Barry BFSSNE.

H. "Wind and the rain" or "Cold blows the Wind," with resuscitation stanzas. Irish, American
    a. "Sister, Dear Sister," no informant given, fragment from Allingham's Ballad Book, p. xxxiii; from Ireland, 1865, Child T, possibly related.
    b. "Wind and Rain" composite sung by Kilby Snow who learned the song from his grandfather around 1913 while living in North Carolina when he was seven or eight years old. From Smithsonian Folkways Recording: Kilby Snow: Country Songs and Tunes with Autoharp (Folkways 03902), 1969.
    c. "The Wind and Rain (Two Sisters)" sung by Rev. J. L. Sims of Pageton, WV, on October 13, 1931 as collected by Buchanan; Barry BFSSNE.
    d.  "The Dreadful Wind and Rain," sung by Dan Tate of Fancy Gap, Virginia recorded first by Fletcher Collins  in November of 1941 for the Library of Congress. Tate learned the song from his sister.

I. The herd/flower refrains, "Jury flower gent the roseberry," ("Gilliflower gentle rosemary") with and without resuscitation stanzas; archaic American, dated c.1779 through Big Sammy Hicks of Virginia then North Carolina. From relatives of Hicks, Harmon, Presnell families of North Carolina, Tennessee.
    a. "The Two Sisters." Sung by Mrs. Jane Gentry at Hot Springs, N. C. on September, 11, 1916; from  Sharp's EFFSA, version A with resuscitation stanzas.
    b. "The Two Sisters." Recorded by Mrs. Henry from the singing of Mrs. Samuel Harmon, Cade's Cove, Blount County, Tennessee, August 13, 1930 with resuscitation stanzas.. From Mellinger Henry's  1938 book, Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands, version C.
    c. "The Two Sisters," from Abrams, Variant 1, sung by Mrs. Nora Hicks, as copied down by Addie Hicks and given to Abrams by Edith Walker in 1939 with resuscitation stanzas. From the Abrams Collection, part of Documenting Appalachia digital initiative at Appalachian State University.
    d. "The Two Sisters That Loved One Man," sung Lee Monroe Presnell from Beech Mountain NC, (Buna Hicks uncle),  recorded by Frank Warner in 1951 without resuscitation stanzas, unique but corrupt ending.
    e. "The Two Sisters," sung by Maud Long (Jane Gentry's daughter). From the recording, "North Carolina Ballads" by Artus Moser, Folkways recording FA 2112, 1955 without resuscitation stanzas, also uses some standard "bow down" stanzas.
    f. "Two Sisters." Sung by Hattie Presnell; a composite of versions from 1966 through 1971. From Some Ballad Folks, Burton, 1978 without resuscitation stanzas, unique ending. Hattie Presnell learned this from her Uncle Monroe.
 
J. The "Down by the waters rolling" refrains, with and without resuscitation stanza; archaic American c. 1877 by Mrs. G.A. Griffith of Georgia (from her father).
    a. "Down by the Waters Rolling." Sung by Mrs. G. A. Griffin, learned in Georgia from her father before 1877, collected in Florida in 1937 by Morris.
    b. "Two Sisters," dated pre-1920 from Mr. Ezra ("Fuzzy") Barhight, age eighty-one, of Cohocton, New York. Fuzzy reported having learned this version from his mother. From Ellen Stekert's "Songs of a New York Lumberjack."
    c. "Two Sisters" sung by Mrs. Charles Muchler, Kalkaska, 1934. From Ballads and Songs of Michigan by Emelyn Elizabeth Gardner and Geraldine Jencks Chickering; 1939, Version A.
    d. "Two Little Sisters." Recorded in 1936 from the singing of Mrs. Martha L. Sistrunk, White Springs, who learned the song from one of her schoolmates in Hamilton County. From Folksongs of Florida; by Alton Morris, 1950, pp. 235-36 with music, version B.
    e. [Two Little Sisters] No title given. Text secured in November, 1936, from the singing of Mrs. Sineath, Tallahassee, by Miss Iva Glenn Hancock, Aucilla. From Folksongs of Florida; by Alton Morris, 1950, version C.
    f. "The Two Sisters," sung by Mrs. C. S. MacClellan of High Springs, Florida in June 1937 as recorded by Alton Chester Morris. Listen: https://soundcloud.com/user-860765554/the-two-sisters-mrs-c-s-macclellan
    g. "The Two Sisters." Sung by Charles Scott Brink near Smicksburg, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 1948 for Samuel Preston Bayard.

K. Other refrains and forms;
    a. "There Were Three Ladies," from Uneda (see Child 11D). As sung by a lady who was a native of County Kerry, Ireland. From Notes and Queries, 1st S., vi, 53. b. 2d S.. v 171, dated 1852, has different refrains.
    b. "Two Sisters (Peter and I),"  dated 1901, as recorded in 1931 by Mrs. Lillian Ammerman, Detroit, from the singing of her mother, who had learned the song about thirty years earlier, when she was teaching in Nebraska. From: Ballads and Songs of Michigan by Emelyn Elizabeth Gardner and Geraldine Jencks Chickering; 1939, Version B.
    c. "Two Little Sisters," short play-party version from Audra A. Plumlee of Norman, Cleveland County, OK. From The American Play-Party Song; Botkin, 1937 version A.
 

[The complexity of Child No. 10, known by various names including the "Twa Sisters," "Binnorie" and the "Cruel Sister," lies not so much in the story line but in the variety of the various details of the forms and refrains and their origin. This murder ballad features two sisters who are courted by the same man, in the earliest Scottish version he was a knight who loved the youngest "above all things." The eldest sister is jealous and after inviting her sister for a walk along the water's edge, pushes her in where she drowns. Her body is retrieved by a miller and her hair is used for strings and sometimes her body is fashioned into a viol (fiddle) or harp which, when played, reveals the elder sister as the murderer.  Although the miracle of the resuscitation^[1] is not always present, the gruesome assemblage of the younger sister's body and hair to form an instrument has been called, in some versions (for example Child A and L), a "burlesque" by early collectors and musicologists. Behind the motive of jealousy is a deeper form of skin-color envy: the elder sister is dark (din, dun) and the younger sister is fair with light skin^[2]. Because the elder sister feels she cannot compete for a husband with her fair skinned sibling, she murders her. 

Most versions are quatrain form (four lines) which feature refrains on lines two and four. Other versions are in the trinary stanzic form (the opening line is repeated three times followed by the second line) which have three refrains. The trinary stanzic form is used in the early ballads Captain Kidd, William Hall and the Ballad of the Frog and the Mouse (Froggie went a-Courting).   If the text of a form does not vary, categorization by the refrains (either "bows o London" or "bonnie milldams o binorie") is not always an effective method of grouping the variants of Child 10.  For this reason I've grouped the "binorie" refrains with the "bows o London" and "Norham, down by Norham" refrains since the texts are similar. Different refrains like "Swans swim bonnie" or "The wind and rain" are still used for grouping. The various forms (for example, Child A, B and Y are all different forms) are also used in grouping.

In order to show relatedness, the ballads of Child L (English, resuscitation) have been grouped with Child A (English, resuscitation) because, even though the L ballads have no similar refrains, the L ballads appear- through the similar resuscitation stanzas-- to be derivatives of Child A.  The combining of different Child ballads into groups necessitates new letter designations for many of the Child ballads, although Aa and Ba remain the same. Various incongruent settings (seaside/mill dam) and endings have obscured the nature of the ur-ballad which uses the Norse variants to reconstruct a more complete ballad story.

The earliest record of this ballad is said to be 1656^[3] when the mysterious version, "The Miller and the King's Daughter (Child A)," appeared in the second edition of "Musarum deliciae: or, The Muses Recreation" (London). The ballad, which was reprinted in a 1658 edition of  "Wit Restor'd" was attributed to "Mr. Smith" who was Dr. James Smith (1604-1667), co-author and contributor of more than half of the verses of wit in those editions. Smith's version of Twa Sisters is a fragment of the ballad story with a long resuscitation ending.  Robert Jamieson reported that he used the second edition of 1656 for the version he published in 1806 but since he made some editorial changes, the exact wording of the original is not known but presumed to be the same as the 1658 edition. The nearly identical text of a broadside of the same title and author with the same date (1656), was supplied by Edward Rimbault in an 1852 edition of Notes and Queries^[4] in response to G.A.C.'s query about "The Miller's Melody" a variant Child labeled Child La and I've listed under A. There is no evidence, however, that this broadside ever existed and claims by E. David Gregory^[5] that it is in the Bodleian's Anthony Wood Collection cannot be verified because, according to the Bodelian staff, is it not there and has never been there^[6]. Although the text was included by Smith in "Musarum deliciae" with his name (Mr. Smith), it's not an indication that he is necessarily the author or arranger of the ballad.  According to Child^[7], If the ballad were ever in Smith's hands, he might possibly have inserted the three burlesque stanzas, 11-13; but similar verses are found in another copy (La), and might easily be extemporized by any singer of sufficiently bad taste. Child A is a fragment of a much older ballad also well known in the Norse countries.

Here's the text to Child Aa, as reported by Rimault from a broadside "printed for Francis Grove, 1656." The refrain appears only in the first stanza. Here is the text and title given by Rimbault in 1852:

The Miller and the King's Daughter- attributed to Dr. James Smith, 1656.

1    There were two sisters, they went playing,
      With a hie downe downe a downe-a
To see their father's ships come sayling in.
      With a hy downe downe a downe-a

2    And when they came unto the sea-brym,
The elder did push the younger in.
 
3    'O sister, O sister, take me by the gowne,
And drawe me up upon the dry ground.'

4    'O sister, O sister, that may not bee,
Till salt and oatmeale grow both of a tree.'

5    Somtymes she sanke, somtymes she swam,
Until she came unto the mill-dam.

6    The miller runne hastily downe the cliffe,
And up he betook her withouten her life.

7    What did he doe with her brest-bone?
He made him a violl to play thereupon.

8    What did he doe with her fingers so small?
He made him peggs to his violl withall.

9    What did he doe with her nose-ridge?
Unto his violl he made him a bridge.

10    What did he doe with her veynes so blew?
He made him strings to his violl thereto.
 
11    What did he doe with her eyes so bright?
Upon his violl he played at first sight.

12    What did he doe with her tongue so rough?
Unto the violl it spake enough.

13    What did he doe with her two shinnes?
Unto the violl they danc'd Moll Syms.
 
14    Then bespake the treble string,
'O yonder is my father the king.'

15    Then bespake the second string,
'O yonder sitts my mother the queen.'
 
16    And then bespake the strings all three,
'O yonder is my sister that drowned mee.'

17    'Now pay the miller for his payne,
And let him bee gone in the divel's name.'

This "broadside" text is nearly identical to the text in "Musarum Deliciæ" except the 2nd refrain ends with an "o" as "With a hy downe downe a downe-o." The "burlesque" resuscitation stanzas feature the macabre use of the dead sister body parts by a violist^[8] (hereafter "fiddler") to fashion an instrument made from her body parts which, when played, reveals the dead girl was murdered by her own sister. A murder revealed by the victim's bones is found similarly in the Grimm fairy tale, "The Singing Bone," published in 1812 and revised in 1819. The macabre folk tales similar to Child 10 are explored in Mackensen's "The Singing Bone (1931)," see also Thompson's Type 780B (1961). In 1890 Child 10 was adapted as an English fairy tale, "Binnorie," by Joseph Jacob: http://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/binnorie--joseph-jacob--english-fairy-tales-1890.aspx. Similar resuscitation endings are found in versions from Scandinavia which in this ballad have a presumed common ancestor^[9] and are not related analogues.

"The Miller and the King's Daughter" lacks the motive for the murder and few details are given. The ballad is only 6 stanzas with an ending which mean it does not contain many details of the ur-ballad. Identifiers include: "King's daughters" "father's ships," "sea brim/elder did push the younger in," "O sister, O sister, take me by the gown/ground," "Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam/mill-dam," and "the miller who pulls her dead body out of the water and fashions a viol (fiddle) from her body parts." Child A is confirmed in tradition by several older versions grouped under Child L which I've included under Child A. The oldest version was heard by Anna Seward of Derbyshire in her infancy (about 1749^[10]), which was designated Child L (the designation of letter L in Additions and Corrections appears to be in conflict with the designation of La for "The Miller's Melody" by G.A.C.) and copied from Anna Seward's letter to Walter Scott, April 25-29, 1802 (Letters addressed to Sir Walter Scott, I, No 54, Abbotsford). The three traditional variants of 10L with similar resuscitation endings to Child A seem to show the "The Miller and the King's Daughter" was the antecedent while the L versions provide an additional stanza of A.

The English "The Miller and the King's Daughter" may now be compared to Child's B version, a quite different Scottish variant by Anna Gordon Brown who was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen, in 1747. According her letters she "learned her repertory as a child from the singing of three persons: an aunt, her mother, and an old nurse of the family^[11]." This would date the ballad to about 1755 when she was eight to about 1765 when she was about eighteen so my approximate date is c.1760. Brown's version is one of the best and oldest known traditional versions. Here is Mrs. Brown's text, the refrains are omitted after the first stanza:

Cruel Sister- from Anna Gordon Brown of Aberdeenshire, learned about 1760 written down in 1783; Child 10B. 

1    There was twa sisters in a bowr,
      Edinburgh, Edinburgh
There was twa sisters in a bowr,
      Stirling for ay
There was twa sisters in a bowr,
There came a knight to be their wooer.
      Bonny Saint Johnston stands upon Tay

2    He courted the eldest wi glove an ring,
But he lovd the youngest above a' thing.

3    He courted the eldest wi brotch an knife,
But lovd the youngest as his life.

4    The eldest she was vexed sair,
An much envi'd her sister fair.

5    Into her bowr she could not rest,
Wi grief an spite she almos brast.

6    Upon a morning fair an clear,
She cried upon her sister dear:

7    'O sister, come to yon sea stran,
An see our father's ships come to lan.'

8    She's taen her by the milk-white han,
An led her down to yon sea stran.

9    The younges[t] stood upon a stane,
The eldest came an threw her in.

10    She tooke her by the middle sma,
An dashd her bonny back to the jaw.

11    'O sister, sister, tak my han,
An Ise mack you heir to a' my lan.

12    'O sister, sister, tak my middle,
An yes get my goud and my gouden girdle.

13    'O sister, sister, save my life,
An I swear Ise never be nae man's wife.'

14    'Foul fa the han that I should tacke,
It twin'd me an my wardles make.

15    'Your cherry cheeks an yallow hair
Gars me gae maiden for evermair.'

16    Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,
Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.

17    O out it came the miller's son,
An saw the fair maid swimmin in.

18    'O father, father, draw your dam,
Here's either a mermaid or a swan.'

19    The miller quickly drew the dam,
An there he found a drownd woman.

20    You coudna see her yallow hair
For gold and pearle that were so rare.

21    You coudna see her middle sma
For gouden girdle that was sae braw.

22    You coudna see her fingers white,
For gouden rings that was sae gryte.

23    An by there came a harper fine,
That harped to the king at dine.

24    When he did look that lady upon,
He sighd and made a heavy moan.

25    He's taen three locks o her yallow hair,
An wi them strung his harp sae fair.

26    The first tune he did play and sing,
Was, 'Farewell to my father the king.'

27    The nextin tune that he playd syne,
Was, 'Farewell to my mother the queen.'

28    The lasten tune that he playd then,
Was, 'Wae to my sister, fair Ellen.'
 
Music (see Bronson C, no. 80) was added to Mrs Brown's text by Bob Scott, Mrs. Brown's nephew, in 1783 (Child Bb, William Tytler Brown MS) which was copied by Joseph Ritson, whose version preserved the melody when this MS was lost. The original MS (text only) which is Child Ba, was given to Robert Jamieson, who published it with editorial changes in 1806. The trinary stanzic form (with the opening line repeated twice and an answering line and three refrains^[12]) is quite different from Child A, and found in the English Child Y dated 1770 and in the many US versions. Although the story of Child A has some agreement (both have "King's daughters" who went to see the ship's come in; both have resuscitation endings as the murder is revealed after the dead sister's body and hair are turned into an instrument), Child B is more detailed and the ending is not burlesqued-- three pieces of hair are used to make strings for the instrument. Child B provides some motive although it is not completely clear: in B the elder sister is "vexed sair" that the knight loved the younger sister "as his life;" but the motive appears only to be jealousy. In the standard Scottish versions of the 1800s and early 1900s^[13] usually titled Binnorie (Binorie) and some Scandinavian versions, the deeper murder motive is revealed: the younger sister is fair (white) while the elder sister is din (dun, black/brown) or, of a dark complexion, which was not considered desirable. Stanza 15 of B is based on the same concept: skin color envy.

Child C is a traditional Irish version of fourteen stanzas transcribed from the recitation of an old Irish woman by Miss Charlotte Brooke editor of "Reliques of Irish Poetry" which is composite with Child Bb (Mrs. Brown's version). It was arranged by Walter Scott who published it in his Minstrelsy (volume II, p. 143) in 1802. Here are Walter Scott's notes:

THIS ballad differs essentially from that which has been published in various collections, under the title of Binnorie. It is compiled from a copy in Mrs Brown’s MSS., intermixed with a beautiful fragment, of fourteen verses, transmitted to the Editor by J. C. Walker, Esq. the ingenious historian of the Irish bards. Mr Walker, at the same time, favoured the Editor with the following note :—“ I am indebted to my departed friend, Miss Brook, for the foregoing pathetic fragment. Her account of it was as follows :—This song was transcribed, several years ago, from the memory of an old woman, who had no recollection of the concluding verses : probably the beginning may also be lost, as it seems to commence abruptly.” The first verse and burden of the fragment ran thus:

“O sister, sister, reach thy hand,
Hey ho, my Nanny, O;
And you shall be heir of all my land,
While the swan swims bonny, O.”

The first part of this chorus seems to be corrupted from the common burden of Hey Nanny, Nanny, alluded to in the song, beginning, “Sigh no more, ladyes.”

The refrain, "Swans swin bonnie," is found in other versions and forms an Irish-Scottish sub-type, my F and G. According to Scott's notes the 14 stanza Irish text begins on stanza 9 of the "Cruel Sister" composite. However, it appears that Mrs. Brown's text begins on stanza 13 so only 4 stanzas the Irish version have been clearly used until variation of the end stanzas. Barry^[14], however, suggests (BFSSNE, 9, 1935) that stanzas 10, 12, 22, and 23-27 are not from B. Unfortunately, the Irish version may not be reconstructed correctly(see that version under Swans Swim/Brooke) without the original MS, which, if it still exists, is not available or unknown. The Irish version's text is different from the stanza Scott gave in his notes (see line "heir to half my land" in stanza 9) which suggests Scott edited most of Child C. Here's Scott's version, the refrain, apparently taken from Pinkerton's 1776 version (Child N),  is omitted after the first stanza:

'The Cruel Sister'- Version 10C, a composite

1 There were two sisters sat in a bour;
      Binnorie, O Binnorie
There came a knight to be their wooer.
      By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie

2 He courted the eldest with glove and ring,
But he lo'ed the youngest aboon a' thing.

3 He courted the eldest with broach and knife,
But he lo'ed the youngest aboon his life.

4 The eldest she was vexed sair,
And sore envied her sister fair.

5 The eldest said to the youngest ane,
'Will ye go and see our father's ships come in?'

6 She's taen her by the lilly hand,
And led her down to the river strand.

7 The youngest stude upon a stane,
The eldest came and pushed her in.

8 She took her by the middle sma,
And dashed her bonnie back to the jaw.

9 'O sister, sister, reach your hand,
And ye shall be heir of half my land.'

10 'O sister, I'll not reach my hand,
And I'll be heir of all your land.

11 'Shame fa the hand that I should take,
It's twin'd me and my world's make.'

12 'O sister, reach me but your glove,
And sweet William shall be your love.'

13 'Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove,
And sweet William shall better be my love.

14 'Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair
Garrd me gang maiden evermair.'

15 Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,
Until she came to the miller's dam.
 
16 'O father, father, draw your dam,
There's either a mermaid or a milk-white swan.'

17 The miller hasted and drew his dam,
And there he found a drowned woman.

18 You could not see her yellow hair,
For gowd and pearls that were sae rare.

19 You could na see her middle sma,
Her gowden girdle was sae bra.

20 A famous harper passing by,
The sweet pale face he chanced to spy.

21 And when he looked that ladye on,
He sighed and made a heavy moan.

22 He made a harp of her breast-bone,
Whose sounds would melt a heart of stone.
 
23 The strings he framed of her yellow hair,
Whose notes made sad the listening ear.

24 He brought it to her father's hall,
And there was the court assembled all.

25 He laid this harp upon a stone,
And straight it began to play alone.

26 'O yonder sits my father, the king,
And yonder sits my mother, the queen.

27 'And yonder stands my brother Hugh,
And by him my William, sweet and true.'

28 But the last tune that the harp playd then,
Was 'Woe to my sister, false Helen!'

Stanzas with Mrs. Brown's text have also been changed which diminishes the "traditional" value of this text. There is one version from the Carpenter collection (see "Binorie" from Mrs Watson Gray, Corner House, East Street, Fochabers, Scotland, 1931) which is similar to or based on the first part of The Cruel Sister, but the ending is traditional, whereas most of Scott's ending stanzas are taken from Mrs. Brown and reworked. I consider Child C, Cruel Sister, to be a variation of Child B, with only a few stanzas added from tradition. The popular Child C is validated by Child D, E, and a version collected in North Carolina^[15] which may or may not have been influenced by it. The Scottish traditional versions collected by Greig and Carpenter (mid to late 1800s and early to mid-1900s) usually do not have the ending with the musical instrument made from the dead sister's hair/body parts.

Child C is essentially a variation of B and should be listed as part of B-- so it is my Be version. It was collated with an Irish text from Miss Brookes as taken from an old Irish woman whose text is important but is not provided by Scott or found in Child notes. The single Irish stanza given by Scott with the  "Nanny, O/Swans swim bonny" refrains also places it under my F, G. Child C is also chronologically out of place for it is a recreation by Scott circa 1802 and several versions predate this. In order to accommodate the hundreds of versions of Child 10, new letter designations have been made. My C versions are the English and North American versions of "King of the North Country" or "Bow down." The earliest extant example is "There was a king lived in the North Country (Child Y)" collected by the Rev. P. Parsons, of Wye, near Ashford, Kent from a spinning-wheel operator in 1770 and 1775. Parsons' versions are fragmented but have the standard trinary stanzic form: a single line repeated thrice with refrains and the second line rhyming the first followed by a last "true to my love" refrain. Since these versions are thought to have been brought to North America in the mid to late 1700s, a date of c.1740 in England seems to be reasonable. The evolution of this form (Child Y) is unknown but it seems to a later adaption of the Hicks/Harmon family versions^[16] that disappeared in England in the early 1700s. The versions, missing the resuscitation stanzas, are associated with Child Y and are the standard versions found in the US.

There are two versions that Parsons gave Percy in his letters^[17], the second from 1775 marked-- "imperfect" was used by Child as his Version Y. The second stanza given by Parsons in 1770 (see below) is missing from Child's 1775 text. An additional stanza was added at the end in 1775 which is not in Parson's original 1770 text. This stanza does not fit properly (the miller has done nothing to deserve punishment) because the penultimate stanza before it is missing where the miller pulls her to the shore, robs her then pushes her back in the water. It should also be mentioned that "river's" brim (1770) has been changed to "sea-side" brim (1775). A number of versions with this trinary stanzic form have three sisters (or daughters) and it's assumed that the third daughter may be the narrator or singer or the ballad^[18]. Here's Parsons' text, a coalition:

1    There was a king lived in the North Country,
      Hey down down derry down
There was a king lived in the North Country,
      And the bough it was bent to me
There was a king lived in the North Country,
And he had daughters one, two, three.
      I'll prove true to my love,
      If my love will prove true to me.

2 The Eldest she had a Sweetheart came
But he had a mind for the younger dame.

3    He gave the eldest a gay gold ring,
But he gave the younger a better thing.

4    He bought the younger a beaver hat;
The eldest she thought much of that.

5    'Oh sister, oh sister, let us go run,
To see the ships come sailing along!'

6    And when they got to the sea-side brim,
The eldest pushed the younger in.

7    'Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your hand,
I'll make you heir of my house and land.'

8    'I'll neither lend you my hand nor my glove,
Unless you grant me your true-love.'

9    Then down she sunk and away she swam,
Until she came to the miller's mill-dam.

10    The miller's daughter sat at the mill-door,
As fair as never was seen before.

11    'Oh father, oh father, there swims a swan,
Or else the body of a dead woman.'

12    The miller he ran with his fishing hook,
To pull the fair maid out o the brook.

13    'Wee'll hang the miller upon the mill-gate,
 For drowning of my sister Kate.'

The import difference between the English "Bow Down" and English A and Scottish B is that there are no resuscitation stanzas. Instead, the Miller, who finds the drowned sister in his milldam, robs her, then pushes her back in, as well as her sister Kate are summarily punished by hanging or being set on fire. The ending as well as certain identifiers (beaver hat) not found in Child A or B mean this was a specific variation formed in England from the early to mid-1700s that was brought to North America. A set of archaic versions based on English C with "herb" refrains have been found Appalachians (form I) with resuscitation stanzas indicating that the English C form may have been derived from an even earlier form which disappeared in England. This later "bow down" form with the Miller and sister Kate being punished at the end, was also brought to America where it became the standard collected form.

* * * *

About the same time the "Bow Down" versions appeared (c.1770) in England, a different Scottish ballad with a form shorter than the one by Mrs. Brown (Child B) emerged as the standard. This ballad was in quatrain form identified by two main early refrains: "bows of London" or "milldams of Binnorie." What became the most popular refrain by the late 1800s was the "Binnorie (Binorie) O Binnorie" and "By the milldams o Binnorie" refrain and these versions were usually titled "Binnorie" (also "Binorie") after the 1st refrain.

The first evidence of this Scottish ballad form with resuscitation stanzas (my D) was a version dated c. 1770 that I've titled, "Bowes of London" from a MS collection (Mansfield Manuscripts) of songs and ballads compiled by Elizabeth St. Clair of Edinburgh.  A second set of refrains was discovered about 1776 by a young John Pinkerton of Edinburgh who reworked a version from tradition (Child N) which was published as "Binnorie" in Herd's "Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic Ballads, Etc," Volume 2 (1776). Pinkerton also included the ballad in his 1778 MS which was part of a collection Pinkerton titled "Scottish Tragic Ballads" which he submitted for publication^[19]. Although rejected, the heavily reworked ballad collection mostly of his own creation was printed in 1781^[20] by a relative of Percy. Pinkerton's "Binnorie" refrains (Binnorie O Binnorie/By the bonny milldams o Binnorie) were of the current tradition and were adapted by Scott for his composite version (Child C above). The "Binnorie" ballads with resuscitation stanzas, my D, use two main refrains: 1) the "Binnorie O and Binnorie" refrains which are close to "By Nera and by Nora" and 2) the "bonny Bowes of London" refrain which may be from a separate tradition. Sincet the ballad details are not specifically different, they are grouped together. Here's the earliest text from the Mansfield manuscripts^[21] which is somewhat corrupt-- the ending is missing the stanza where the fiddler uses strands of her hair. It was compiled by Elizabeth St. Claire about 1770, original spelling kept:

[Bonny Bowes of London]
The second and fourth lines of the first verse are given in a contracted form in verses 2-21.

1 There lived three sisters in a Bower
Heigh & a gay & a grounding
There came a knight to court them there
At the bonny bowes of London

2 He courted the Eldest with a knife
But he loved the youngest as his life

3 The Eldest to the Youngest said
Will Ye go our fathers ships to sea

4. But when they came to the seaside
The Eldest she the youngest betray'd

5. O set your foot upon yon stone
And reach me up my gay gold ring

6. She's set her foot upon yon stone
And she gave her a shoot & she's faen in

7. O sister tak me by the hand
And ye's get a my fathers land

8. O sister tak me by the glove
And ye'se get William to be your love.

9. I will not tak ye by the hand
For I ken Ill be heir of my fathers land

10 I will not tak ye by the glove
For I ken Ill get William to be my love

11. O aye she sank & aye she swam
Untill she came to yon Mill Dam

12 The millar came out wi' his lang Cleek
He thought to gripe her by the feet

13. He could nae gripe her by the feet
Her silken shoes they were sae, weet

14. He gat her griped by & by
And he laid her on a Dyke to dry

15. Her fathers fidler coming by
She spake unto him & did say

16. Gie my service to my father King
And likewise to my mother Queen

17. Gie my service to my Brother John
And likewise to my true love William

18. Gie my service to my sister Ann
And gar burn my sister Alison

19. When he to the gates did come
The fiddle began to play its lane

20. Gie my service to my father King
And likewise to my mother Queen

21. Gie my service to my brother John
And likewise to, my true love William

22 Gie my service to my sister Ann
Heigh & a gay & a grounding
But gar burn my sister Alison
At the bonny bowes of London

Stanza 12 has the miller coming out with his long "cleik" or hook to pull her from the water. The dying drowned maiden speaks to the fiddler who goes to the King and his fiddle repeats the girl's words its lane ("alone" or "on its own"). What is unusual is that the third sister is mentioned at the end where in the Scottish and English versions the third sister is only mentioned in the opening stanza. Three sisters are also commonly found in the ballads represented by Child Y, my C.

By the early to mid 1800s a new Scottish quatrain form had emerged: "Binorie without resuscitation stanzas" (my E). While some of the D versions "Binorie with resuscitation stanzas" resemble Mrs. Brown's text with varied resuscitation endings, the E versions, "Binorie  without resuscitation stanzas" became, by the mid-1800s, the standard traditional Scottish version as represented by Child M. Of the nearly 40 Scottish "Binorie" versions collected by Greig/Duncan, Carpenter and Scottish School of Studies, which represent the time period of about 1850-1950, most are "Binorie without resuscitation stanzas" (Child M). The Binnorie versions with resuscitation stanzas (my D) had disappeared. The new shorter ballads of Child M have as the ending the "oot takin" of the body from the milldam and the "green grave makin" burial. The "bonnie miller laddie" is the love of the youngest daughter and it is he who eventually recovers the body at his milldam. In some versions he dies at the "green grave makin" burial. One version, from the Crawfurd Collection sung by Mrs. Fyfe, adds resuscitation stanzas to this ending which indicates the possibility that years earlier these stanzas were once part of a longer Child M form.

Although it has a variation of the standard Binorie refrains, Child Q, dated c.1790, represents one of the oldest versions of my D quatrain form, "Binorie with resuscitation stanzas." According to Child^[22], it was copied Oct. 26, 1861, by J. F. Campbell, Esq., from a collection made by Lady Caroline Murray; traced by her to an old nurse, and beyond the beginning of this century. Here is the text:

"The Twa Sisters" Child 10Q; my Da.

1    There dwelt twa sisters in a bower,
      Oh and ohone, and ohone and aree!
And the youngest she was the fairest flower.
      On the banks of the Banna, ohone and aree!

2    There cam a knight to court the twa,
But on the youngest his love did fa.

3    He courted the eldest with ring and wi glove,
But he gave the youngest all his love.

4    He courted the eldest with brooch and wi knife,
But he loved the youngest as his life.

5    'O sister, O sister, will ye come to the stream,
To see our father's ships come in?'

6    The youngest stood upon a stane,
Her sister came and pusht her in.

7    'O sister, O sister, come reach me your hand,
And ye shall hae all our father's land.

8    'O sister, O sister, come reach me your glove,
And you shall hae William to be your true love.'

9    'I did not put you in with the design
Just for to pull you out again.'

10    Some time she sank, some time she swam,
Until she came to a miller's dam.

11    The miller's daughter dwelt on the Tweed,
She went for water to bake her bread.

12    'O faither, faither, come drag me your dam,
For there's aither a lady in't, or a milk-white swan.'

13    The miller went, and he dragd his dam,
And he brought her fair body to lan'.

14    They couldna see her waist sae sma
For the goud and silk about it a'.

15    They couldna see her yallow hair
For the pearls and jewels that were there.

16    Then up and spak her ghaist sae green,
'Do ye no ken the king's dochter Jean?

17    'Tak my respects to my father the king,
And likewise to my mother the queen.

18    'Tak my respects to my true love William,
Tell him I deid for the love of him.

19    'Carry him a lock of my yallow hair,
To bind his heart for evermair.'

The refrains resemble the standard Scottish "Binorie O an' Binorie" type refrains. The resuscitation is much different than the standard version since it's her ghost that reveals the murder not an instrument strung with the drowned sister's hair (see also Buchan's version and a version based on Buchan's by Christie in 1876). 

Child thought that the Scottish place name of the milldam, Binnorie, was a corruption of one of the other refrains-- perhaps derived from the refrain of version Q above or the "Norham by Norham" type refrain. According to Bronson in The Ballad as Song, p. 45: "Child's suggestion that the explanation of the obscure name, "Binnorie," may possibly lie in the phrase, 'On the banks of the Banna, ohone and aree,' is supported neither by the rhythm nor by the Irish tunes, which appear fairly distinct from the Binnorie group." According to Chapbook: Volumes 2-3 (Federation of Scottish Folk-Song Clubs, Aberdeen Folk-Song Club) "The location of the milldams o' Binorie has puzzled many collectors. One possible explanation is that Binorie is a corruption of 'by Norham' as one of the earliest versions gives the village of Norham on the Tweed as the scene of the murder."

The standard Binorie text without the resuscitation stanzas is found in Child M collected in Aberdeenshire in 1876. This text is well-represented in the collections of Greig/Duncan, Carpenter and later in some versions from School of Scottish Studies (online). The ending features the bonnie miller (millert) lad, the true love of the younger drowned sister, pulling her dead from the milldam, then burying her in the last stanza. In some versions he dies presumably of sorrow at the "green grave makin'." Here's the text of Child M, taken down from recitation at Old Deir, 1876, by Mrs. A. F. Murison. Manuscript, p. 79:

'Binorie, O an Binorie'

1 There lived twa sisters in yonder ha',
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
They hadna but ae lad atween them twa,
      He's the bonnie miller lad o Bin'orie.

2 It fell oot upon a day,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
The auldest ane to the youngest did say,
      At the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie.

3    'O sister, O sister, will ye go to the dams,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
To hear the blackbird thrashin oer his songs?
      At the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie.

4    'O sister, O sister, will ye go to the dams,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
To see oor father's fish-boats come safe to dry lan?
      An the bonnie miller lad o Binorie.'

5    They hadna been an oor at the dams,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
Till they heard the blackbird thrashin oer his tune,
      At the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie,

6    They hadna been an oor at the dams
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
Till they saw their father's fish-boats come safe to dry lan,
      Bat they sawna the bonnie miller laddie.

7    They stood baith up upon a stane,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
An the eldest ane dang the youngest in,
      I the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie,

8    She swam up, an she swam doon,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
An she swam back to her sister again,
      I the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie,

9    'O sister, O sister, len me your han,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
An yes be heir to my true love,
      He's the bonnie miller lad o Binorie.'

10    'It was not for that love at I dang you in,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
But ye was fair and I was din,
      And yes droon i the dams o Binorie.'

11    The miller's daughter she cam oot,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
For water to wash her father's hans,
      Frae the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie,

12    'O father, O father, ye will fish your dams,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
An ye'll get a white fish or a swan,
      I the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie,

13    They fished up and they fished doon,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
But they got nothing but a droonet woman,
      I the bonnie mill-dams o Bin'orie,

14    Some o them kent by her skin sae fair,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
But weel kent he by her bonnie yallow hair
      She's the bonnie miller's lass o Binorie.

15    Some o them kent by her goons o silk,
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
But weel kent he by her middle sae jimp,
      She's the bonnie miller's lass o Binorie.

16    Mony ane was at her oot-takin',
      Bin'orie O an Bin'orie
But mony ane mair at her green grave makin',
      At the bonny mill-dams o Binorie.

The sisters and miller found in the short Binorie Child M form are from humble origin-- they are not king's daughters. The drowned sister is not dressed in splendor so she could not be recognized by her shining jewels and gold. The end scene take place at the milldams although the sisters sometimes walk at the sea broom (brim).  Since this distinct form has a refrain collected as early as in 1776 (Child N), it seems likely that it evolved from an older Scottish branch and the resuscitation was forgotten. Both form C and this form, E, are lacking the resuscitation stanzas, and both C and E have different endings which makes them independent of A and B.

* * * *

Another important form similar to Scottish D and E is the Irish form or Scoto-Irish form identified by its refrains; "Nanny, O" and "Swan Swims bonnie." This Irish form was first recognized and covered in detail by Phillips Barry^[23] in BFSSNE, Volume 9, 1935 and I've labeled them F (with resuscitation) and G (without). The earliest extant version of 14 stanzas is dated c.1790 but is probably much older. Its first stanza was published by Scott in 1802^[24]: 

“O sister, sister, reach thy hand,
Hey ho, my Nanny, O;
And you shall be heir of all my land,
While the swan swims bonny, O.”

One of the most complete Scoto-Irish versions was collected in Scotland by Carpenter and is given here for the first time. It was sung by Mrs Mary Stewart Robertson, 6 Auchreddie Road, New Deer, Scotland, 1932, as learned from her mother, who never saw it in print (the refrains continue throughout, 2nd and last lines):

Twa Sisters

1. There wis twa sisters lived in yon glen,
Heigh, ho my nannie O!
Een o them wis fair, an' the other wis din,
An' the swan swims bonnie, O.

2. "Sister dear sister, come an' tak a walk,"
"An' ye'll see winders afore ye come bak."

3. "Pit your fit (feet) on yonder marble stone,"
An' sae slyly she dung her in.

4. "Sister O siter, lend me yer richt hand,"
"An' I'll mak ye lady o a' my land,
An' I'll stand ahin the door when the lord comes in."

5. "Sister dear sister lend me yer hand,"
"I didn't come here to lend you my hand,
It's because you are fair, an' I am din."

6. Noo the millert had a dochter an' her bein' a maid,
An' she went oot for water to bake some breid.

7. "O father there swims in yer dam,
"Either a maid or a milk-white swan."

8. The millert he gaed oot an' lat off his dam
An' they laid her on a thorn for to dry.

9. The king's best harper he'd been passin' by,
He's cut off her fingers sae sma',
For to mak pins for evermair.

10. The king's second best harper he'd been passin' by,
An' he's ta'en three tits o her bonnie gowd hair,
For to mak strin gs for his harp evermair.

11. The third best harper he wis passin' by,
An' he's cut oot her breistbane an' a harp he his made,

12. An' the three went up tee the king's hall door,
An' they played an' they played an' they far better played,
An' aye the overcome o' the song,

13. Noo the king's dochter she came doon the stairs,
Says, "Harpers, harpers, change your tune,
An I'll gie you my gowd an' my land,"

14. They say, "O fair lady, we canna change wir tune,"
"We canna change wir tune, till we be deen,"

15. Doon cam her mother and her oldest brother,
Says, "Harpers harpers, play ower the tune,
An' we'll make ye lords fan (when) ye are done

16. They've ta'en her oot an' they've kill't her by fire,
An' they've burned her tee the harper's desire,

Another Scoto-Irish version was collected by Carpenter but it's just one opening stanza^[25]. Both stanzas show a deviation from the standard Binnorie versions: the motive for the murder-- their different skin color-- is immediately presented in the first or second stanza while in standard Scottish Binorie versions the real motive is not given until after the younger sister tries to bribe the elder to be saved from the water. The ending is also somewhat different and remarkable: the playing of the song, "The Swan Swims Bonnie, O" from the harps reveal that the drowned sister was killed by her elder sister who is then burned as the wish of the harper.  The Irish tradition is not well-documented and few complete versions exist. Among the Irish-Scottish versions listed (see my F an G for a complete list) by Barry is Child DD^[26] a version found in Child's MSS from County Meath Ireland which has never been brought to light or printed.

* * * *

An Irish fragment of a different form is the fragment Child T with its "Cold blows the Wind" refrain. Child T is possibly related to the American form with its "Wind and the rain" refrain, my H. The 'Wind and rain" or "dreadful wind and rain" refrain was first collected in Appalachia in 1931^[27] from an Irish source but Kilby Snow's similar version dates back to c.1913 and it's likely the form, although rare, is much older. This version has become popular recently with modified lyrics and covers by Jody Stecher, Jerry Garcia and others. Barry, who first published the "wind and rain" ballad in BFSSNE, Vol. 12, 1937 and is not afraid to make grand and outrageous conclusions, said: "This version of The Two Sisters is unique: it is perhaps the most primitive that has survived in English tradition."  Barry's comparison to the English resuscitation versions Child A and L may not be far off the mark. Both Kilby Snow's and Dan Tate's versions are closely related to the 1931 Sims version given by Barry and have similar resuscitation stanzas:

6. The miller fished her out with a long fishing pole
Oh the wind and the rain
The miller fished her out with a long fishing pole
A crying the dreadful wind and rain. [Kilby Snow, c. 1913, North Carolina]

3. Charles Miller came out with his long hook and line,
Oh, the wind and rain-
Charles Miller came out with his long hook and line,
Crying, oh, the wind and rain. [Rev. Sims, 1931, West Virginia]

3. Out run the miller with his long hook and line,
Oh, the wind and rain.
Out run the miller with his long hook and line,
And he cried, 'A dreadful wind and rain'. [Dan Tate, 1941, North Carolina]

As pointed out by Barry^[28]: Unique in the tradition of the ballad is the refrain: compare "with hey, ho, the wind and the rain" (Twelfth Night, Epilogue, sung by the Clown; King Lear, The Fool's Song, III, 21 74, ff.)."

* * * *

A few rare archaic American versions with herb/flower refrains form my I group whose refrains are old English. These versions are all from the same family and use the same refrains. The three archaic versions with resuscitation stanza were probably brought to the mountains of North Carolina presumably by an ancestor known as "Big Sammy" Hicks.  The first collected version was by Cecil Sharp from his excellent informant Jane Hick Gentry in 1916. Her first refrain (see Sharp's Two Sisters, version  A)  is "Jury flower gent the roseberry," which translates to the old English refrain "Gilliflower, gentle, rosemary." All the Hicks/Harmon versions, derived from an early family source, have the old English resuscitation stanzas and are classified as archaic American. Ia is titled "The Two Sisters" by Sharp and was sung by Mrs. Jane Gentry at Hot Springs, N.C. on September, 11, 1916 and published in  Sharp's EFFSA, version A in 1917. It begins:

1. O sister, O sister, come and go with me,
Go with me down to the sea.
CHORUS: Jury flower gent the rose-berry,
The jury hangs  over  the rose-berry.

Gentry's incomplete text (opening is missing) has the two refrains at the end of each stanza instead of interwoven (as lines 2 and 4). Ib, also titled "The Two Sisters," was collected by Mellinger Henry and recorded by his wife from the singing of Mrs. Samuel Harmon, Cade's Cove, Blount County, Tennessee, August 13, 1930.  Mrs. Samuel Harmon's version was published in Henry's 1938 book, Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands, as version C. Ic was taken down from Nora Hicks of Mast's Gap, North Carolina by her daughter Addie and Abram's student^[29] at Appalachian State, Emily Walker, gave the MS to Abram's in 1939.  Nora's version, one of the most complete and accurate family versions at 16 stanzas, begins:

There was two sisters loved one man,
Gilley flower gent the roseberry
The youngest one he loved first,
Till the jury hangs over the roseberry.

It's possible, through family lines, to trace the ballads back much further. Her version came from her grandmother Fannie Hicks (1837–1914), who was Big Sammy's (Samuel Hicks 1753- 1835, married Sarah Nancy Harmon) granddaughter. Another important family line of dissemination was from Big Sammy to his grandson Council Harmon (1806–1896, son of Sabra Hicks and Andrew Harmon) of Beech Mountain who lived with Big Sammy after his Council's father Andrew died in a tragic accident. Council's son Goulder and little Sammy's daughter Nancy Jane were the parents of Samuel Harmon (version Ib) who married Pollyanna and move to Tennessee where he sang ballads for Mellinger Henry. Council was Jane Hicks Gentry's grandfather and even lived with Jane (version Ia) in the late 1800s. It's believed^[30] that the Hicks-Harmon family ballads and Jack tales may be traced back to the Virginia colony through Big Sammy and his father David Hicks who moved from Goochland Co., Virginia to the Watauga area of North Carolina about 1779. Big Sammy grandfather was also Samuel b. 1695 and lived in Tuckahoe Creek area along the James River, Virginia.

Maud Long sings a different version (standard English) of Twa Sisters with her mother's refrain. Although the liner notes say Maud's version is from her mother-- the refrains are but the text is mixed with the standard "Bow down" versions. Hattie Presnell's version is different also and similar to Uncle Monroe Presnell's version which is confused at the end. Both the Presnell versions seem to be more Scottish and are more closely related to Nora Hick's version since that share a similar opening. Only Jane Gentry, Nora Hicks and Mrs. Sam Harmon have versions with the resuscitation ending but all have the similar refrains. These three older versions although different through the folk process represent the older English ballad before Child Y.

* * * *

My J versions use the "Down by the waters rolling" second refrain. These refrains are American and no corresponding refrain has been found in the UK but the first refrain is similar to the "By Norham" refrains of the early 1800s.

There was two sisters lived in the west,
By Noling, by Noling,
There was two sisters lived in the west,
Down by the waters a-rollling. [Charles Brink, PA, 1948]

There was two sisters a-living in the East,
By Holding, by Holding,
There was two sisters a-living in the East,
Down by the waters rolling. [Mrs. C. S. MacClellan, 1937, FL]

The "waters rolling" refrains have been found in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia^[31] and Florida with Florida the main repository location. This single line quatrain form (one line repeated with two refrains per stanza) is also found in "wind and the rain" versions.

* * * *

Brief Study of Refrains and Forms

There are two basic forms: quatrain form (4 lines) and trinary stanzic form (first line sung three times followed by second line with three varied refrains interspersed) similarly found in the Captain Kidd/Frog and Mouse ballads. Here's the trinary stanzic form of Child B and Y (my B, C):

1    There was twa sisters in a bowr,
      Edinburgh, Edinburgh
There was twa sisters in a bowr,
      Stirling for ay
There was twa sisters in a bowr,
There came a knight to be their wooer.
      Bonny Saint Johnston stands upon Tay. [Child B, Mrs. Brown c. 1760]

1    There was a king lived in the North Country,
      Hey down down derry down
There was a king lived in the North Country,
      And the bough it was bent to me
There was a king lived in the North Country,
And he had daughters one, two, three.
      I'll prove true to my love,
      If my love will prove true to me. [Child Y, England, 1770]

Nearly all versions use refrains; only Child L, related to Child A as English with similar resuscitation stanzas, does not use standard refrains, although a refrain line appears in La. Two ballad types "wind and rain," type H, and "Down by the waters rolling" type J, are single line quatrains:

There was two sisters lived in the west,
By Noling, by Noling,
There was two sisters lived in the west,
Down by the waters a-rollling. [Charles Brink, PA, 1948]

A single line is followed by a refrain, then repeated, making a simple quatrain of 4 lines. In almost all instances the refrains (line 2 and 4) are varied except for Child A. In the Scottish versions of Binorie (without resuscitation stanzas), the second refrain is usually varied to fit the ballad story.

List of common two-line quatrain refrains:

"Binnorie o Binnorie/In the bonnie milldams o Binnorie" 1778 Scottish

"Norham, Down By Norham/By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham" dated c.1830 Scottish

"Hey ho, my Nanny, O/While the swan swims bonny, O" Irish, c.1790.

"Oh and ohone, and ohone and aree/On the banks of the Banna, ohone and aree" c.1790 Scottish.

"Hey with a key and a grundon/In the bonnie bows o London" 1770-1827 Scottish

"Gilly flower, gentle and rosemary" America, Virginia colony via England c. early to mid 1700s

The "Swan swim bonny" refrain is found in both Irish and Scotch versions. Phillips Barry calls the Scotch version "Scoto-Irish" and regards the "Swan swims" refrains as being of Irish origin.

Quatrains with a single line of text:

"The wind and rain" or "dreadful wind and rain" c. 1800s American done by Levi Sims (1931), Kilby Snow (c. 1913), Dan Tate (recorded 1941) and others.

"Rolling by rolling" and "Down by the waters rolling," c. 1800s American found in the Florida, Pennsylvania.

The Nature of the UR-Ballad; Scandinavian versions
Understanding the ur-ballad involves not only the ballad variants from the English speaking countries (primarily the UK and North America) but the Scandinavian ballads which obviously have come from a common ancestor. Paul Brewster who published a short book [The Two Sisters, Helsinki, 1953, FFC #147] on the Twa Sisters said^[32]: 

The ballad is widespread in the Scandinavian countries, where it is known as "Systrarna," "Den talende Strsengeleg," "Dei tvo systar," "Den talende Harpe," "Den underbara harpan," "Systermordet," "Horpu-rima," etc.

The Scandinavian variants are discussed in " 'The Twa Sisters,' Going Which Way?" by Harbison Parker, 1951 who said, "Knut Liestol concludes concerning this perplexing ambiguity, in his study of 'Dei tvo systar,' that the likeliest explanation of this is, that the ballad first was composed in England or Scotland, there split itself into two versions, and both of these then came to Scandinavia by different paths, one to Norway (Iceland, the Faeroe Islands) and the other to Denmark." Phillips Barry, 1931, however said, "The diffusion of the ballad from Scandinavia to Britain has been rightly and generally accepted[]." Parker's conclusion seems to support Barry's-- Parker says: ". . . the British borrowed the ballad from the West-Scandinavian tradition (probably from the Faeroe branch), and that motifs which correspond to those in the Danish do so only fortuitously."

This is how Parker summarizes the very similar Scandinavian ballad story: There lived a man in a variously-specified locality. He had two daughters, the younger fair, the elder ugly. Wooers came and wooed the younger, rejecting the elder. She thereupon invited her sister to go down to the strand, suggesting, in response to the younger's demand for a reason for going, that they wash themselves white so as to be alike. Often the younger answers by twitting her with the declaration that no matter how much she may wash, she will never be fair, and will never catch a man. Nevertheless, she goes, followed by her scheming sister, and sets herself upon a stone, whence the elder pushes her into the water. The younger begs her sister to save her life, and promises to give her various gifts for so doing. The elder is unmoved, pointing out that she can now get those articles anyhow. In desperation, the girl offers to surrender her suitor to the adamant sister, but the offer is refused for the same reason. (Frequently the elder sister demands the suitor, whereupon the younger usually replies that his counsel is his own.) The corpse is blown to shore and is there discovered by two minstrels, who avail themselves of parts of it for a musical instrument, a harp or a fiddle; often the fingers are used for pegs, and almost invariably the hair is used for strings. One minstrel (or, in the West-Scandinavian, fisherman, pilgrim, beggar) suggests to the other that they repair to a dwelling where a wedding (which turns out to be that of the elder sister) is taking place. There they play the instrument: the strings speak and denounce the murderess, who is usually burnt upon a pyre, often at the bridegroom's command. (In the Icelandic and Faeroe versions and Swedish A, the bride dies of fear or remorse.)

After comparing the Scandinavian ballad story with the British, it becomes clear that Knut Liesto's hypothesis that an older British version representing the ur-ballad was not "split into two versions, and both of these then came to Scandinavia by different paths^[33]." If this were so, the Scandinavian versions would have the miller and the mill-dams found consistently in all the British origin versions. The logical conclusion is: the miller and the milldams were added sometime after the ballad was brought to the UK. The Scandinavian ending with the harp/fiddle revealing the murder at the wedding of the elder sister with the younger sister's love seems to be an improvement over the setting of the British resuscitation ending. It is more likely that this Scandinavian ending was left off the early versions brought to the UK rather than-- as the proponents of the British origin theory suggest-- that the wedding scene was added on in Scandinavia.

The appearance of the ballad in Britain is rather mysterious. In 1656 the earliest extant version, "The Miller and the King's Daughter," which is Child A, appeared in a collection of witty verse^[34] published in London.  The English versions represented by Child A, L and Y are all older incomplete versions with Y and its American antecedents missing the resuscitation stanzas.  Child A was incomplete with very little narrative and a long resuscitation ending. The source of A must be older taking the date in the UK to the early 1600s. Sometime in the early 1700s, the standard English version represented by Y but more complete in North America (Child U, Z), lost the resuscitation ending which was replaced by a brief punishment-ending: the miller is hung and the eldest sister (Kate) is burned. In order for the miller to be punished, a stanza was added where the miller finds the younger sister in the milldam, robs her, then pushes her away from shore. A more complete English version represented by Y was found in America in versions collected from the Hicks-Harmon families of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. This presumably older version^[35] has the old English "herb" refrain of "Gilly flower, gentle and rosemary." I've traced this older English version to Big Sammy Hicks of Virginia (b. 1753) who presumably brought it into the North Carolina mountains to Watugua County about 1779. Since Sammy's grandfather Samuel was born at Tuckahoe Creek, Virginia on the James River about 1695, the ballad would be older than 1779-- how much older is hard to say, but it came over from England to the Virginia Colony. Two of the Hicks/Harmon versions are somewhat complete-- that of Jane (Hicks) Gentry in 1916 (with her daughter's text added) probably from her grandfather "Old Counce" Harmon and Nora Hicks version written down in 1939 from her grandmother Fanny Hicks. Jane Gentry's version is best recovered from the singing of her daughter Maud Long who added missing stanzas not found in Sharp A. It should be noted that later family versions (the Presnell versions) have forgotten the resuscitation stanzas which is presumably what happened in England.

A similar omission of the resuscitation stanzas occurred in the transmission of the Scottish "Binorie." The standard short version without the resuscitation stanzas as represented by Child M has an ending with the miller pulling the younger sister's body from the milldam after being alerted  that a "white swan" or else a "droont woman" was in the dam. In this Scottish version it was the "bonnie miller laddie" that courtit the twa sisters and lovit the younger "aboon a' things." The ballad ends with "Many were there at her "oot-takin" when she was pulled out of the milldam; but few (although this amount varies) were there at her "green grave makin" or burial. In some versions the "bonnie miller laddie" dies, presumably of sorrow, at his beloved's burial. Like the Scandinavian versions, in the Scottish versions the elder sister murders the younger because the elder was "din" and the younger was "white" or "fair."

The younger sister says in Norwegian A:

Although thou wilt wash thyself never so white,
so shalt thou become never to thy sister like.
Although thou do both wash thee and scrub,
so shalt thou never become other than God has created thee.

Norwegian C has:

Thou mayest wash thee as white as thou canst;
never wilt thou get a bridegroom.

These variants show a deeper form of jealousy based on skin-color envy. An early Scottish version with the "bows(bouirs) o london" refrain has this a stanza similar to the Child M ending:

18 Monie a ane was to tak her claes,
But there was not ane to make her grave^[36]
 
Following this stanza is the resuscitation ending which indicates that at some earlier time the resuscitation stanzas were part of this shorter Scottish version similar to Child M. The conclusion is that the resuscitation stanzas were part of the ur-ballad and there is a consensus among the Norse and British versions that most likely three strands of hair were used for the strings of the harp/fiddle which revealed the murder. Since none of the Scandinavian versions have miller or milldam and some of the British versions have seashore or salt-water brim, it may be assumed that the murder took place at the seashore or sea strand and that the younger sister's body washed ashore. Child comment about the sister's body then being discovered at a milldam was, ". . . we have the absurdity of a body drowned in navigable water being discovered floating down a millstream." Naturally when the miller was added to the British ballad it would be logical that he would recover the body in a "milldam."

These parts of the story are consistent in the British and East and West Scandinavia and would reflect the ur-ballad. The ending with the wedding however is from the Scandinavian ballads only:

Two sisters were wooed, the elder was dark-skinned (black, brown, din)  and the younger light-skinned (white, fair). The wooer selected the younger sister and the elder was jealous. She asked the younger to go for a walk by the seashore and after the younger stepped on a stone by the water, the elder pushed her in. The younger asked the elder to save her and offered her gold, land and even the wooer. The elder declined these offers saying she could get these things anyway and let the younger drown. The younger sister's body washed ashore and was discovered by a harper or fiddler (or musicians/minstrels) who used three strands of her hair as strings and sometimes other parts of her body to string or construct an instrument. At the wedding of the elder sister and the wooer, the instrument plays and reveals the murder. The eldest sister is burned on a pyre, sometimes at the bridegrooms command.

The Scandinavian ending could easily have been forgotten in transmission. Both Park (1951) and Brewster (1953) conclude the ballad is of Scandinavian origin. Brewster gives some Scandinavian versions in Ballads and Songs of Indiana, 1940:  Grundtvig, Danmarks gamle Folkeviser, II, 512-17; III, 875-78; Jyske Folkeminder, X (1889), 69-71, 375-78; Geijer and Afzelius, Svenska Folkvisor (ed. Bergstrom and Hoijer), I, 72; III, 16; Arwidsson, Svenska Fomsdnger, II, 139 f.; Skattegraveren, IV (1885), 161; Sandvik, 0. M., Folke-Musik i Gudbrandsdalen, pp. 102-3; Rancken, J. O., Ndgra prof af folksdng och saga i det svenska Osterbotten, pp. 10-12; Wigstrom, Skdnska Visor, Sagor och Sagner, p. 4; Andersson, Den Aldre Folkvisan (Finlands Svenska Folkdiktning, V1), pp. 75-86; Lindeman, Norske Fjeldmelodier, I, 9; II, 103.

The Analogues (the murder revealed by an object made from the corpse)

Already mentioned in my headnotes are studies of Marchen (folk stories) given by Brother's Grimm, Mackensen in "Singing Bones" (1923) and Stith Thompson (1961) in his Type 780 The Singing Bone and Type 780B The Speaking Hair,  in which an object is fashioned from the corpse of the murder victim which reveals the murderer. The Twas Sisters is one of a large group with similar stories from many countries. The following list which was compiled by Brewster in 1940:  RTP, II, 125, 365 f.; IV, 463; V, 178; VI, 500; VII, 223; Archivio per lo studio delle trad, pop., Ill, 71; Romania, VI, 565; Gonzenbach, Sicilianische Marchen, No. 51; de Gubernatis, Le tradizioni popolari di S. Stefano, p. 154 f.; de Vasconcellos, Tradicoes populares de Portugal, p. 125 f.; Coelho, Contos populares de Brasil, p. 57 f.; Nigra, Canti del Piemonte, No. 19; Journal, IV, 267 ("La Stregha Chitarra"); (his Volksleven, II, 67; VII, 83; Monseur, Bulletin de Folklore Walien, I, 39 f.; Dykstra, Uit Frieslands Volksleven van vroegeren alter, II, 99; de Mont and de Cock, Vlaamsche Wondersprookjes, p. 195 f.; Melusine, I, 423; Doncieux, Romancero frangais, p. 36; Meyrac, Traditions, coutwmes, legendes et contes des Ardennes, p. 486 f.; Sebillot, Litterature orale de la Haute-Bretagne, pp. 220-26; Camoy, Litterature de la Picwdie, p. 236 f.; Grimm, No. 28; Zeitschrift fur deutsches Altertum, III, 35; Erk-B6hme, IAederhort, I, 26; Jahn, Volkssagen aus Pommern u. Rilgen, pp. 399-401; Schneller, Mdrchen zu Sagen aus Walschtirol, No. 51; Afanasjew (Afanasiev), Russische Volksmdrchen, II, No. 137d; Sklarek, Ungarische Volks­mdrchen, p. 195 f.; Woycicki, Polnische Volkslieder, p. 105; Naake, Slavonic Fairy Tales, p. 170 f.; Waldau, Bomische Granaten, II, 97; Rud-chenko, South Russian Popular Tales, I, Nos. 55, 56; II, No. 14; Nesselmann, Littauische Volkslieder, p. 320 (=Rhesa, Dainos, p. 231); Ulmann, Lettische Volksliede\r, p. 199; Lewestam, Polnische Volkslied, p. 105; Lagus, Nyldndska Folkvisor, I, 27; Kristensen, Jyske Folkeminder, I, 253; X, 68, 375; Land-stad, Norske Folkeviser, No. 53; Hammershaimb, Fssrtfsk Anthologi, No. 7; Studach, Schwedische Volksharfe, p. 78; Revue Celtique, II, 199.

Some Conclusions
The ballad of the Twa Sisters is about the murder of the younger sister by elder sister^[37] over the affections of a man who courts them both and prefers the younger sister. Although jealousy is the motive there's a deeper additional motive of skin-color envy: the elder sister is dark skinned while the younger is fair skinned or white so the elder sister feels she can't compete for a groom with her younger sister. In the ur-ballad the elder sister's murder has given her sole access to their suitor, and they are to be married.

The ballad is about punishment or retribution for the crime of murder which, except for a confession from the elder sister, would not be solved. The retribution is made only through the supernatural resuscitation ending-- the dead sister speaks through a musical instrument with strings fashioned from her hair^[38] and reveals the elder sister as the murderer. That this revelation occurs in some Scandinavian versions at the wedding of the elder sister with the younger sister's beloved is fitting. The punishment as ordered by the bridegroom: the elder sister is to be burned to death upon a pyre.

Paul Brewster who did the last detailed study of the ballad in 1953 believes the Marchen to be of Slavic origin. From the tale the ballad originated in Norway before 1600 then spread throughout Scandinavia. By the early 1600s the Two Sisters had spread to Scotland then England and Ireland where the miller (and mill dam) where added. In the UK The Twa Sisters emerged in different forms with different refrains. Two of the most popular variants lost the resuscitation ending:

1. the English "Bow Down" variant (Child Y), minus the resuscitation but with punishment, was brought to America in the mid-late 1700s. Although the miller finds the body, he is not the younger sister's love. The miller finds her body in the water, robs her then pushes her back into the water. The miller is hung (or burned) and the elder sister burned (or hung).
2. the Scottish "Binorie" variant (Child M), minus the resuscitation and punishment, was developed in Scotland in the last half of the 1700s. The miller laddie, though not at fault for the death of his beloved (the younger sister), sometimes dies at her funeral, presumably of a broken heart.

An early version of the English "Bow Down" variant with herb refrains and the missing resuscitation stanzas (my I form) was collected in America from the Hick-Harmon families. It's easy to imagine that this form existed before the short form (Child Y) was created and that the Child Y text originated from a ballad similar to the Hicks/Harmon ballad in England during the early to mid 1700s. In the new ballad represented by Child Y and the many versions of North America, the bow down refrains were inserted,  the resuscitation stanzas were left off and a new short "punishement" ending replaced them.

Because most of the Maritime Canada versions have similar refrains to "Bows of London," it may be assumed they originated from the early Scottish variants first collected around 1770. The "Swan Swims Sae Bonny" refrain versions with resuscitation stanzas which Barry presumed to be Irish then Scottish (but they are both) were well known by the Scottish travelers in the 1900s. Carpenter collected an excellent version from Mary Robertson in the early 1930s and versions from the Whyte (White) and Stewart traveller families have been collected from the 1950s onward. Presumably the ballad is still sung traditionally among travellers as Elizabeth Stewart's version was recorded in 2004.

The fragment given by Uneda in Notes and Queries, 1st S., VI, 53, 2d S., v, 171, as sung by a lady who was a native of County Kerry, Ireland is categorized by Child as a version of Child 11 (his D) but should be a version of Child 10. However, the refrain matches neither.

The ur-ballad has branched off from its Norse roots and taken different forms with a variety of refrains. In the versions with the resuscitation stanza the story has not changed much -- only missing the final scene at the wedding of the elder sister. The construction of the ur-ballad would necessarily include the courtship, the rejection of the elder sister because she is darker, the sisters going for a walk to the the sea brim (strand), the murder, the offers of the drowning girl to her older sister, the rejection of those offers, the drowning and recovery, the resuscitation of the younger sister at the wedding of the elder sister and their suitor, and finally, the punishment of the elder sister.

R. Matteson 2018]

______________________________

Footnotes:

1. In his article, "The Two Sisters: Prolegomena to a Critical Study (1931)," Phillips Barry calls it: the ritual of resuscitation (by assembling the parts of a dead body in order to recreate a symbolic body for the habitation of the departed soul).
2. The specific motive of skin color is obvious in many of the Scoto-Irish "Swan swims bonnie" versions and the standard Scottish versions usually titled "Binorie" (Child M). The general motive is the eldest sister's jealousy of the youngest. A similar motif is found in Child 78 and 295, with the brown girl.  In some ballads, the dark-complexion of skin-color is regarded as inferior to the lily-white skin and fair complexion.
3. There are no known available copies of 1655 first edition or 1656 second edition available.  According to "Early English Books Online," the 1655 edition is 87 pages "Conteining severall select pieces of sportive wit" while the 1656 edition is 101 pages  "Conteining severall pieces of poetique wit."  "The Miller and the King's Daughter" is included in the longer second edition. Each title page has "By Sr J.M. and Ja: S." (Sir John Mennes and Dr. James Smith.). The ballad is attributed to "Mr. Smith." Jamieson claimed to use the rare 1656 second edition for his copy which he published in 1806. The third edition (1658) titled "Wit Restor'd" confirms the ballad was in the publication while copies of the rare 1655 and 1656 editions have not materialized. Child with his resources at Harvard and in Britain never found a copy of the 1655 or 1656 editions of "Musarum Deliciæ" as proven by his query published in Notes & Queries. 
4. "The Miller's Melody," published in Notes and Queries, 1st Series, V, p. 591, 1852.
5. In his book, "Victorian Songhunters: The Recovery and Editing of English Vernacular . . ." 2006,  E. David Gregory call Twas Sisters a "minstrel production" and said Harland got his version of "Miller and the King's Daughter" from Rimbault who got a copy of his broadside (1656) from the Anthony Wood Collection at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Harland got all three of his copies of Child 10 from Notes & Queries and copied Rimbault's version. Here  are Harland's notes from "Ballads and Songs of Lancashire Chiefly Older Than the 19th Century" as edited by John Harland, 1865: Again, Dr. Rimbault gives another version of the ballad, evidently earlier than that last cited, and which he states to be the production of a James Smith, D.D. (Oxford), born 1604, and died 1667 ; respecting whom Wood says “he was much in esteem with the poetical wits of the time, particularly with Philip Massinger, who called him his son.” We append this ballad (as printed from an old broadside copy of 1656), omitting the burden after the first verse.
6. According to Colin Walker, Senior Library Assistant, no broadside by that title is housed at the Bodleian. Several other staff members have confirmed the broadside is not at the Bodleian.
7. Headnotes of Child 10, Twa Sisters in The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 1 given by Francis James Child, 1882.
8. A "viol" is an early form of violin also called "fiddle." 
9. Phillips Barry asserts in his 1931 article, The Two Sisters: Prolegomena to a Critical Study, 1931 that "The diffusion of the ballad from Scandinavia to Britain has been rightly and generally accepted." However, in " 'The Twa Sisters,' Going Which Way?" by Harbison Parker, 1951 he says, "Knut Liestol concludes concerning this perplexing ambiguity, in his study of 'Dei tvo systar,' that the likeliest explanation of this is, that the ballad first was composed in England or Scotland, there split itself into two versions, and both of these then came to Scandinavia by different paths, one to Norway (Iceland, the Faeroe Islands) and the other to Denmark."
10. Child dates Seward's birth as 1747 but I have it as 1742.
11. From Bronson's 1945 article, Mrs. Brown and the Ballad.
12. The name "trinary stanzic form" appears to be a new designation. Child Y also uses this form but the last refrain is usually two lines.
13. Designated as E, "Binnorie (Binorie)" and "Bonnie Milldams o Binnorie" without resuscitation stanzas. Scottish, quatrain form; named after refrains, the second refrain is usually variable.
14. Notes to "Two Sisters" in BFSSNE, 9, 1935, p.5.
15. "The Two Sisters" from Mrs. Sutton who got this from the singing of Mrs.  Rebecca Gordon of Cat's Head on Saluda Mountain as published in The Brown Collection of NC Folklore, 1952, version C. As with other versions of B, the possibility exists that they were influenced by print.
16. My I versions which use the herd/flower refrains, "Jury flower gent the roseberry," ("Gilliflower gentle rosemary") with resuscitation stanzas; archaic American, dated c.1779 through Big Sammy Hicks of Virginia then North Carolina. Collected from relatives of Hicks, Harmon, Presnell families of North Carolina, Tennessee.
17. Housed at Harvard University, the Thomas Percy papers, 1759-1785 are transcripts of English ballads and popular poetry by the English antiquary Thomas Percy and others, along with correspondence and other materials relating to the collecting of ballads.
18. There are at least two versions where the third sister is mentioned later in the ballad. See, for example, "Bowes of London" from Elizabeth St. Claire's MS dated c1770.
19. In 1778 when Pinkerton was just nineteen, he submitted the text of Scottish Tragic Ballads featuring his version Hardyknute and other ballads including Binnorie to Percy's publisher James Dodsley in London. Ref: "Scotland's Pariah: The Life and Work of John Pinkerton, 1758-1826" by Patrick O'Flaherty.
20.  "Scottish Tragic Ballads" was published in June 1781 by John Nichols, Percy's relative.
21. Named after Thomas Mansfield who last privately owned the Manuscripts compiled by circa 1770 by Elizabeth St. Claire. William Macmath bought the Manuscript at the sale of Thomas Mansfield's library in Dowell's auction rooms on March 20, 1900. Child did not have access to these ballads when ESPB was written.
22. Given in Child's headnotes, ESPB volume 1, 1884.
23. See Barry's detailed notes to "Two Sisters" in BFSSNE, 9, 1935, p.5. Barry's sometimes brilliant conclusions often use sweeping exaggerations with unsupported data.
24. See Scott's Minstrelsy volume 1, 1802- quoted with my notes to Child C (above).
25. James Madison Carpenter Collection from Willie Mathieson with music
26. DD is designated by Barry and given in his notes to "Two Sisters" in BFSSNE, 9, 1935, p.5.
27. "The Wind and Rain (Two Sisters)" sung by Rev. J. L. Sims of Pageton, WV, on October 13, 1931 as collected by Buchanan; "The Wind and Rain (Two Sisters)" sung by Rev. J. L. Sims of Pageton, WV, on October 13, 1931 as collected by Buchanan; Barry BFSSNE.
28. From BFSSNE, Vol. 12, 1935, by Phillips Barry.
29. The W. Amos Abrams Folksong Collection was compiled by  William Amos “Doc” Abrams (1905-1991), originally from Pinetops in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He was chairman of the English Department at Appalachian State Teacher’s College (ASTC) from 1932 to 1946.
30. Current thought is that the Jack Tales were from the Harmon side of the family through their German ancestors (Herrman family) while the English ballads were from the Hicks' side. The originator appears to be Big Sammy Hicks who presumably would have brought the ballads from the Tuckahoe Creek area of Virginia just after the Revolutionary War. Sammy's grandfather, also Samuel, moved to North Carolina just before he died with other family members.
31. "Down by the Waters Rolling "was sung by Mrs. G. A. Griffin, and presumed to have been learned from her father in Georgia before 1877. This presumption has not been documented. Griffin moved to Florida by 1880 and it was collected there in 1937.
32.  Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana, 1940, Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series.
33. " 'The Twa Sisters,' Going Which Way?" by Harbison Parker, 1951.
34. "The Miller and the King's Daughter" from "Musarum Deliciæ: or, The Muses Recreation" 1656 from Mr. Smith (reprinted 1658 "Wit Restor'd", and again in 1817 Facetiae edition)
35. This assumption and others in this section are speculative and can't be proven or precisely documented. That the refrains are archaic English was suggested by Gilchrist in her article on flower/herb refrains who analyzed Gentry's refrains (Ia). With multiple versions all pointing to the same source it seems likely that Big Sammy is the originator-- his source may be Virginia, but not necessarily. The refrains came from England to Virginia at some point in the 1700s.
36. See Crawfurd B, dated 1827.
37. In the versions with three sisters, it's still the younger and elder sister-- the other sister's age is not relevant since she plays little or no part of the ballad story.
38. -- and other body parts in some versions. The simplest explanation, that three strands of her hait is used, seems to be the best and is corroborated by some Scandinavian versions.
___________________________________
 

   CONTENTS (attached to his page are UK ballads, one Swedish only): To access individual versions click on the blue highlighted title below or on the version title  attached to this page on the left hand column (green highlight).

    1) Miller & the King's Daughter- (Lon) 1655; Child A
    2) Damnd Mill-Dam: Anna Seward (Der) c.1749 Child L
    3) The Cruel Sister- Mrs. Brown (Aber) c1760; Child B
    King Lived in the North Country (Kent)1770 Child Y
    Bowes of London- Elizabeth St. Clair (Edin) c.1770 Mansfield Manuscript
    Binnorie- J. Pinkerton (Edin) 1776 Herd; Child N
    The Miller's Melody- G.A.C. (Eng) c.1790 Child La
    Swan Swims Bonny- Brooke (Ir) 1790 Walker Child C*
    Twa Sisters- nurse (Sur) c.1790 Murray, Child Q
    Twa Sisters- Mrs. Sharpe (Dumf) c.1798 Child E
    The Drowned Lady- Hughes (Wales) c.1800; Child Lb
    Cruel Sister- Comp (Scot-Ire) 1802 Scott; Child C
    Twa Sisters- Brown (Aber) 1806 Jamieson Child Bd
    Two Fair Sisters- Anon (Gall) c.1810 Cunningham
    Swan Swims Bonnie- (Sc) 1810 Cunningham Child EE
    Twa Sisters- Brockie (Berw) 1813 Wilkie, Child CC
    Bonny Bows o London- Lyle (Renf) 1825, Child F
    There Were Three Sisters- King (Renf) 1825 Child G
    There Were Three Sisters- Goldie (Ren)1825 Child H
    Squire of High Degree- woman (Eng) c1825 Moseley
    Three Sisters- Johnston(Scot) 1826 Kinloch Child D
    Twa Sisters- Kinnear (Mearn) 1826 Kinloch Child I
    Binnorie- Mrs Lindores (Rox) c1826 Kinloch Child K
    The Twa Sisters- (Scot) Kinloch c.1826; Child S
    Swan Swims Bonnie- Ann Baillie (Ayr) 1827 Macqueen
    The Swan Swims Bonnie O- (Glas) 1827, Child P
    Bows o London- Mrs. Fyfe (Ayr) 1827 Sloan-Crawfurd
    Bows o London- MacConechie (Ayr) 1827 Macqueen
    Bonny Bows o London- (N.Scot) 1828 Buchan Child Oa
    Norham Down By Norham- Lugton(Rox) 1830 Child W
    Binnorie- (Scot) 1830 Dr Joseph Robertson; Child X
    Binnorie, O Binnorie- (Aber) 1842, Christie Vol. I
    Three Sisters- Seleucus (Lanc) 1852 Child Ra
    Barkshire Tragedy- (Berk) 1859 Hughes, Child Rc
    Benorie- (Scot Highlands) Campbell c1860, Child V
    Bo down- Primrose (Lanc) 1861 Campbell, Child Rb
    Sister, Dear Sister- (Ire) 1865 Allingham; Child T
    Bonny Bows o London- (Banf) 1866 Christie Child Ob
    Binorie- Miss Bell Duncan (Aber) c.1868 Carpenter
    Two Ladies Playing Ball- (N.Ire) 1870, Child J
    Binorie- Mrs. Mary Thain (Aber) 1870 Carpenter
    Binorie, O an Binorie- (Aber) 1876 Murison Child M
    Binorie- David Edwards (Aber) c.1880 Carpenter
    Binnorie or The Cruel Sister- (Northum)1882 Stokoe
    I'll Be True To My Love- Lolley (York) 1892 Kidson
    The Swan Swims Bonny O- Hunt (Ire) 1892, Kidson
    Binorie- William Walker (Aber) c.1900 Carpenter
    Binnorie, O Binnorie- Anon (Scot) Ford 1901
    Binorie- Mary McWilliam (Aber) 1905 Carpenter
    Binorie- Gillespie/Duncan (Aber) pre1905 Greig A
    Binorie- Alexander Robb (Aber) c.1906 Greig B
    Minorie- Bell Robertson (Aber) c.1906 Greig S
    Milldams o' Binorie- W. Argo (Aber) c.1907 Greig C
    Binorie- Mrs. Lyall (Aber) c.1907 Greig D
    Binnorie- Mrs. Goodall (Aber) c.1907 Greig E
    Binnorie- Robert Alexander (Aber) c.1907 Greig F
    Binorie- Miss Littlejohn (Aber) c.1907 Greig H
    Binorie- Mrs. Fowlie (Aber) c.1907 Greig I
    Binorie- Mrs. Milne (Aber) c.1907 Greig K
    Binorie- John Johnstone (Aber) c.1907 Greig M
    Binorie- J.W. Spence (Aber) c.1907 Greig O
    Binorie- William Reid (Aber) c.1907 Greig P
    Binnorie- Annie Shirer (Aber) c.1907 Greig R
    Binorrie- James Morrison (Aber) c.1907 Greig T
    Mull Dams o' Binorrie- Duncan (Aber) 1907 Greig U
    Binorie- Willie Mathieson (Aber) 1910 Grieg/Carp
    Twa Sisters- Ethel Findlater (Ork) c.1914 REC
    Binorie- Mr. Shivas (Aber) 1929 Duncan/Carpenter
    Bonnie Milldams o Binnorie- J. Ord (Scot) 1930
    Two Sisters- Alex Troup (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Binnorie- John Strachan (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Twa Sisters- Mrs. Durward (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- Mrs. B.D. Cameron (Aber) c.1931 Keith
    Twa Sisters- Carrie Lindsay (Aber) c1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- William McKenzie (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- Mrs. William Duncan (Aber) 1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- Mrs. J. H. Goodall (Aber) c1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- Mrs Watson Gray (Moray) 1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- Mrs Jane Lobban (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Bilnorie- Peter Christie (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Binorie- Mrs. James Pirie (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
    Twa Sisters- Mary Robertson (Aber) 1932 Carpenter
    Binorie- John Argo (Aber) 1952 H. Henderson
    Binorrie- George Hay (Aber) 1952 H. Henderson
    Swans Swim sae Bonnie- Jock White (Angus) 1953
    Swan Swims So Bonnie- Lucy Stewart (Aber) 1955
    Twa Sisters- Rob Watt (Aber) 1960 Argo
    Minorie- William Miller (Stir) 1960 MacColl
    Swan it Swims Sae Bonnie- MacAllister (Aber) 1962
    Swans Swim sae Bonnie- Belle Stewart (Perth) 1964
    Hopra (Norwegian) 1967
    Swans Swim- Jessie MacDonald (Aber) 1968 REC
    Binnorie- Archie Webster (Fife) 1968 REC
    Two Sisters- F. Armstrong (Cum) 1972 Roy Harris
    Swan Swims Bonnie- Belle Stewart (Perth) 1973
    Swan Sweems Sae Bonnie- J. Whyte (Aber) 1975
    Swan Swam Sae Bonnie- Betsy Whyte (Aber) 1975
    Twa Sisters- Kelby/White (Aber) 1977 MacColl
    Twa Sisters- Sheila Stewart (Perth) 1977 REC
    Binnorrie- Elizabeth Stewart (Aber) c.1978 REC
    Two Sisters- George Fradley (Derby) 1984 Yates
 

__________________