Hughie Graham or Hughie Graeme is Child ballad number 191, existing in several variants.

Synopsis

Hughie Graham is caught for stealing the bishop's horse, and sentenced to hang. Several pleas to ransom him are unavailing. He sees his mother or father and sends greetings to his father, his sword to Johnnie Armstrong

Johnnie Armstrong

Johnnie Armstrong or Johnie Armstrong is a Child ballad number 169 and relates to the story of Scottish raider and folk-hero Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, who was captured and hanged by King James V in 1530.-History:...

, and a curse to his wife. (The legend is that his motive for the horse-theft was that the bishop had seduced his wife.)

Recordings

The great socialist Ewan MacColl

Ewan MacColl

Ewan MacColl was an English folk singer, songwriter, socialist, actor, poet, playwright, and record producer. He was married to theatre director Joan Littlewood, and later to American folksinger Peggy Seeger. He collaborated with Littlewood in the theatre and with Seeger in folk music...

 recorded a version on his album of traditional Scottish ballads.

Dáithí Sproule

Dáithí Sproule

Dáithí Sproule is a guitarist and singer of traditional Irish music from Derry, Northern Ireland. His niece is the singer songwriter Claire Sproule.-Biography:...

 recorded a version with fiddling master James Kelly

James Kelly

James Kelly or Jim Kelly is the name of: *James Kelly *James Kelly *James Kelly , 19th century Anglican bishop of Newfoundland and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, 1901–1904*James Kelly , UK MP for the Irish constituency of Limerick City 1844–1847*Jimmy Kelly James Kelly or Jim Kelly is...

 and button box master Paddy O'Brien

Paddy O'Brien

Paddy O'Brien may refer to:* Paddy O'Brien , retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer* Paddy O'Brien...

 (Tipperary) that is still available on the compilation album Traditional Music of Ireland.

The Scottish folk band Malinky

Malinky

Malinky is a Scottish folk band specialising in Scots song.Formed in autumn 1998, the original members were Karine Polwart from Banknock, Stirlingshire , Steve Byrne from Arbroath , Mark Dunlop from Garryduff, Co...

 recorded a version of this song, called Hughie The Graham, on their 2005 album, The Unseen Hours

English folk singer, June Tabor

June Tabor

June Tabor is an English folk singer.- Early years :June Tabor was inspired to sing by hearing Anne Briggs' EP Hazards of Love in 1965. "I went and locked myself in the bathroom for a fortnight and drove my mother mad. I learned the songs on that EP note for note, twiddle for twiddle. That's how I...

, recorded a version of this song on 'An Echo of Hooves' in 2003.

External links

• Hughie Graham
• Hughie Graham with history