Twa Sisters- Rob Watt (Aber) 1960 Argo

Twa Sisters- Rob Watt (Aber) 1960 Argo

[Fragment from Collection - School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1960.253.

R. Matteson 2018]


Summary - Ballad fragment. Two sisters who live in a glen are both courted by the miller lad of Binnorie. A harper passes by and plays a tune with a lock of hair from one of the girls on his harp. The tune is called 'The Miller Lad o Binnorie.' The sisters go out for a walk to hear the blackbird singing and to see the miller lad.

The Twa Sisters- sung Rob Watt of Aberdeenshire in 1960, recorded by Arthur Argo.

There wis twa sisters liv-ed down the lane
Binorie aye, Binorie
And there they's courted by the same young man,
By the bonnie milldam o Binorie.

I cannot help her at this time
Binorie aye, Binorie,
And he played his harp wi' all to hear
And played "the miller lad o Binorie."

Sister, o sister, come down to the broom[1],
Binorie aye, Binorie
For to hear he blackbird's whistle out its tune,
And see the Miller lad o Binorie.

1. this line is a bit unclear