The Lads of Wamphray
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The Lads of Wamphray is Child ballad 184, existing in fragmentary form. According to Walter Scott and others, the ballad concerns a 16th century feud between reiving families from Wamphray in the Scottish Borders.
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[edit] Synopsis
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
The ballad opens with a description of the robberies of the Galiard and Galiard's men before the text break off.
When the ballad resumes, the Galiard has taken a horse, but it proves not fast enough; he is captured, and his captors hang him. His nephew sees, raises men, and avenges his death. They return home safely.
Spoilers end here.
[edit] Adaptations
Percy Grainger took inspiration from this for his first work for wind band, in 1905: The Lads Of Wamphray March.
[edit] Sources
- Walter Scott, Minstrelsy of the Scottish border (1802)
- C L Johnstone, The Historical Families of Dunfriesshire and the Border Wars (1878)