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The Baron of Brackley

from Fortune's Road by Back of the Moon

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about

This incident occurred in September 1666 when John Gordon of Brackley impounded the cattle of John Farquarson of Inveray. In violation of the law, Inveray had been taking salmon from the Dee out of season and his cattle were loose, grazing on Brackley's land.

In an attempt to draw Brackley from his keep, Inveray stole back his own cattle and those of Brackley. However Brackley was not killed after this incident in 1666 but tradition may have merged two separate incidents. In 1592 John Gordon of Brackley, know as the Baron of Breaghly, was murdered by guests he had invited to dinner.

Betsy Gordon refers to Margaret Burnet the daughter of a rich nobleman who married Brackley against the wishes of her family and friends. It is unlikely that she betrayed Brackley in real life.

lyrics

The Baron of Brackley
Doon Deeside cam Inveray a-whistlin' an' playin'
An' he cam by Brackley's yetts ere the day was dawin'
"Oh are ye there, Brackley, and are ye within?
Oor shairp swords are at yer yetts, an' we'll gaur your bluid spin"
"Rise up, Betsy Gordon, an' gie me my gun
For though I gang oot, love, sure I'll never come in
Come kiss me, my Betsy, nor think I'm tae blame
For though I hae ae man, I'm sure they hae ten"
When Brackley was mounted and rade on his horse
A bonnier baron ne'er rade o'er a course
Twa gallanter Gordons did never swords draw
But against three and thirty, fa's me, whit is twa?
Wi' their dirks and their broadswords, they did him surroun'
And they killed bonny Brackley wi' mony's a woun'
Frae the heid o' the Dee tae the banks o' the Spey
The Gordons shall mourn him and ban Inveray
Oh cam ye by Brackley's yetts, an' cam ye by here?
An' saw ye his lady a-rivin' her hair?
Oh an' I cam by Brackley's yetts an' I cam by here
An' I saw his fair lady, she wis makin' guid cheer
She was rantin' an' dancin' an' singin' wi' joy
An' vowin' that verra nicht she would feast Inveray
Well, she's laughed wi' him, danced wi' him, welcomed him in
She was kind tae the murderer wha had slayed her guid man
Through hedges an' ditches ye canna be sure
But through the woods at Glentor ye can slip in an hour
An' it's up spak the babe sittin' on his mither's knee
Sayin', "Afore I'm a man, it's avenged I'll be"

credits

from Fortune's Road, released March 5, 2021
Gillian Frame- FIddle, Vocals
Simon McKerrell- Uillean Pipes
Findlay Napier- Guitar, Vocals
Hamish Napier- Lead Vocal, Piano
Jonny Hardie- Phucallé
Duncan Lyall- Double Bass

The Baron of Brackley- Child 203- Trad. Arr Back of the Moon

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Back of the Moon Glasgow, UK

Scottish folk quartet which featured Findlay Napier, Gillian Frame, Hamish Napier, Ali Hutton and Simon McKerrell. Best Up and Coming Band and Best Band and nominated twice for album of the year at Scots Trad Music Awards. Runner up BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. Multiple tours of US, Canada, Europe and UK. Inspiration to many current top folk bands and artists. ... more

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