RSCDS Book 1 No. 5 Meg Merrilees

RSCDS Book 1

No. 5 "Meg Merrilees"

Date of Publication:
Published in "The Ballroom, 1827," with a difference

Origins/Composer:
Collected locally
Ref. RSCDS

Stories:
In 1732, Jean Gordon presented a petition to the justiciary court at Jedburgh, setting forth that she was indicted as an Egyptian, common vagabond, and notorious thief; that she was old and infirm, and had lain long in jail, and was willing to enact herself to leave Scotland never to return. After being set free, she went to England. 
In 1745, whilst in Carlisle, she expressed Jacobite sentiments in public, and as a result was set upon by a mob who ducked her to death in the River Eden. Jean is best remembered as likely model for Meg Merrilees in Sir Walter Scott's 'Guy Mannering'.

From: http://www.scottishgypsies.co.uk/borders.html

Also:

Meg Merrilies

BY JOHN KEATS

Old Meg she was a Gipsy, 

       And liv'd upon the Moors: 

Her bed it was the brown heath turf, 

       And her house was out of doors. 

Her apples were swart blackberries, 

       Her currants pods o' broom; 

Her wine was dew of the wild white rose, 

       Her book a churchyard tomb. 

Her Brothers were the craggy hills, 

       Her Sisters larchen trees— 

Alone with her great family 

       She liv'd as she did please. 

No breakfast had she many a morn, 

       No dinner many a noon, 

And 'stead of supper she would stare 

       Full hard against the Moon. 

But every morn of woodbine fresh 

       She made her garlanding, 

And every night the dark glen Yew 

       She wove, and she would sing. 

And with her fingers old and brown 

       She plaited Mats o' Rushes, 

And gave them to the Cottagers 

       She met among the Bushes. 

Old Meg was brave as Margaret Queen 

       And tall as Amazon: 

An old red blanket cloak she wore; 

       A chip hat had she on. 

God rest her aged bones somewhere— 

       She died full long agone!

Picture:

Google images

Note:

Instructions:

MEG MERRILEES (R8x24) 2C (4C set) RSCDS Book 1

1- 8 1M turns 2L RH, 2M turns 1L RH 1½ times ending in centre in line across with original partners
9-16 1s+2s dance down the middle, turn to right and dance back to top
17-24 1s+2s dance Poussette

(MINICRIB, Dance Crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Video:

https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/video/meg-merrilees.html