"An Irish Boy he may well be but he spak braid Scots when he coortit me": Song connections between Ireland and South West Scotland

Abstract

This essay considers how the song culture of South West Scotland is influenced by that of Ireland. The author’s sources include the observations of modern cultural experts Phyllis and Billy Martin, and Nick Spencer. These are set alongside quotations from nineteenth century broadside ballads, which offer historical context. The author reviews social and economic connections between the two areas, and attempts to identify musical influences from Ireland on South West Scotland, from the 1950s onwards. In addition, she discusses ethnic stereotyping as it features in the area’s song culture. The Irishman, in South West Scotland, appears in various guises: as a bold deceiver, as a drunkard and rogue, and as a seducer (often in a Scottish setting, or with a Scottish link, and sometimes associated with stereotypes applied to Scottish Highlanders); cross-cultural love affairs are a strong feature both of the broadside and oral traditions in this context. In conclusion, the writer makes summary comments about cross-cultural connexions between South West Scottish and Irish songs, identifying this as a rich area for future investigatio