Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
The Death of Queen Jane (Child No. 170) - Sung by Mary Williamson, a Traveller at Lochgilphead, Glassary, Argyllshire, Scotland. Recorded by Dr. Linda Williamson on June 23, 1976.
Mary Williamson's father was Duncan Townsley and her mother was Belle Williamson, Duncan Williamson's aunt. They were from Campbeltown.
Note by Kevin W.:
This song enjoyed some popularity among Scottish Travellers but always in a condensed form that leaves out much of the story.
The original recording can be listened to here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/29899?l=en
A biography of Linda Williamson along with many further sound recordings can be found here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/person/4291?l=en
Linda Williamson's thesis on Scottish Traveller singing can be read here, it is well worth your time if you are interested in Mary Williamson's song repertoire: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/8223
Song transcription:
Oh mother dear mother will you do this for me
Will you send for the doctor to come and see me
For the doctor being sent for to come and see me
For my two sides are weary my back it is sair
I never got a wink o' sleep in six weeks and mair
Oh doctor dear doctor will you do this for me
Will you send for my mother to come and see me
My mother being sent for to come and see me
My back it is weary my twa sides are sair
I never got a wink o' sleep for six weeks and mair
Oh mother dear mother will you do this for me
Oh send for my sister to come and see me
My sister was sent for to come and see me
My back it is weary... [*]
* Very regrettably it seems the tape ran out at this point, the song is left incomplete
The Death of Queen Jane (Child No. 170) - Sung by Mary Williamson, a Traveller at Lochgilphead, Glassary, Argyllshire, Scotland. Recorded by Dr. Linda Williamson on June 23, 1976.
Mary Williamson's father was Duncan Townsley and her mother was Belle Williamson, Duncan Williamson's aunt. They were from Campbeltown.
Note by Kevin W.:
This song enjoyed some popularity among Scottish Travellers but always in a condensed form that leaves out much of the story.
The original recording can be listened to here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/29899?l=en
A biography of Linda Williamson along with many further sound recordings can be found here:
tobarandualchais.co.uk/person/4291?l=en
Linda Williamson's thesis on Scottish Traveller singing can be read here, it is well worth your time if you are interested in Mary Williamson's song repertoire: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/8223
Song transcription:
Oh mother dear mother will you do this for me
Will you send for the doctor to come and see me
For the doctor being sent for to come and see me
For my two sides are weary my back it is sair
I never got a wink o' sleep in six weeks and mair
Oh doctor dear doctor will you do this for me
Will you send for my mother to come and see me
My mother being sent for to come and see me
My back it is weary my twa sides are sair
I never got a wink o' sleep for six weeks and mair
Oh mother dear mother will you do this for me
Oh send for my sister to come and see me
My sister was sent for to come and see me
My back it is weary... [*]
* Very regrettably it seems the tape ran out at this point, the song is left incomplete
