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I am frequently amazed at how relevant old Folk songs are with current events. This Celtic-Folk song comes out of Scotland during the 16th through 19th Centuries concerning the intense hatred Scotland had against the Gypsies (a shortened generic classification from 'Egyptians'). There is some confusion and contention with the Irish "Travelers." Travelers are NOT Gypsies, though both were considered migrant workers at times throughout the British Isles and Europe. There was a period of time in Scotland, that if a Gypsy was caught he (or she) was hung or drowned immediately. And, anyone consorting with Gypsies were persecuted as was the case of the young girl in the attached folk song. But why was there so much hatred of the Gypsies? 

 

As cited on the internet, the broad classification of "Gypsies" referred to the Barbary Pirates or Corsairs that came out of Morocco in northern Africa. They were "Muslim Slavers" (as they were also called) who were connected with Muslim/Islamic countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East. These Muslim Pirates had strongholds in Spain, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others from the 14th Century and into 19th Century. Barbary Pirates often made "slave" raids in parts of the Mediterranean, like Italy, France, Greece, as well as into Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, and into the north seas of Norway, Finland, and others. The Pirates demanded protection money of ships, and if not paid, these pirates would kill all those who opposed them and made slaves of those who were captured (primarily women) to be sent to buyers in places like the Morocco Slave Markets. They also collected and sold slaves from England and the Americas (Caribbean primarily). Blond, blue eyed girls from Finland were highly prized, as well as red-headed, green eyed girls out of Scotland and Ireland. There were also markets for young boys as catamites for the elites in England and Europe ... even into the 20th Century. 

 

These Muslim Slavers also supplied slaves into the Americas. It was President Thomas Jefferson who was the first to refuse to pay the "protection money" to these pirates, and that led to the American war against the Barbary Pirates in 1801-1805. Part of the U.S. Marine Corps Hymn references this war in the phrase "... to the shores of Tripoli." 

 

For a more complete story write-up visit the KDM Story Broadside at

https://kelticdeadmusic.org/story-broadsides/

 

You'll also find the free PDF sheet music arrangement of the song in the Story Broadside.

 

For this and other High Definition KDM Music visit

 

 

 Thank you for being with the KelticDead Music Initiative
Shaun, That KelticDead Guy