The Heir of Linne
Encyclopedia
The Heir of Linne is a traditional folk song existing in several variants.Francis James Child
, English and Scottish Popular Ballads, "The Heir of Linne"
He remembered a letter that his father left him, or a key that his mother gave him, or tried to hang himself and split the roof. This leads to his finding chests of gold. He goes back to his old hall, and tries to borrow money from the new owner, who jeers at him, and mockingly offers to sell back the lands for less than the purchase price. The lord agrees and pays, and so gets back his lands.
, rewriting an older ballad with some ideas taken from a second ballad.
Francis James Child
Francis James Child was an American scholar, educator, and folklorist, best known today for his collection of folk songs known as the Child Ballads. Child was Boylston professor of rhetoric and oratory at Harvard University, where he produced influential editions of English poetry...
, English and Scottish Popular Ballads, "The Heir of Linne"
Synopsis
The lord of Linne wastes all his money, and sells his land to his steward to get more, and wastes that money as well. No one will lend him money, and he realizes his folly: he could have lived comfortably on his lands.He remembered a letter that his father left him, or a key that his mother gave him, or tried to hang himself and split the roof. This leads to his finding chests of gold. He goes back to his old hall, and tries to borrow money from the new owner, who jeers at him, and mockingly offers to sell back the lands for less than the purchase price. The lord agrees and pays, and so gets back his lands.
Commentary
This appears to be written by Thomas Percy in his Reliques of Ancient English PoetryReliques of Ancient English Poetry
The Reliques of Ancient English Poetry is a collection of ballads and popular songs collected by Thomas Percy and published in 1765.-Sources:...
, rewriting an older ballad with some ideas taken from a second ballad.