Duncan Williamson sings a song in cant, "My Wee Maggie," with story

Interviewer

Niles, John

Date

• 1986-1987

Summary

• In former days, Scottish Travellers often eloped together rather than having formal marriage ceremonies. Sometimes they were pursued by irate relations, sometimes not. Once they returned, bringing food or other provisions with them, they were accepted as wed. Williamson's unique song "My Wee Maggie" tells of such an elopement, one that took place at Tangy Glen, not far from Campbeltown in southern Kintyre, and that involved Duncan's mother's cousins Johnny Townsley and Maggie Townsley.
• The audio recording of the song was made by John Niles at a rented house outside Ithaca, New York, in October, 1987, when Williamson was visiting there for a week. The video recording, which begins abruptly, was made by John Niles and members of his research team in a rented house in the town of Auchtermuchty, Fife, in August, 1986.