Lady Mary Ann sung by Jean Redpath

[@sandramorey2529]

Another Watersons fan here. I found Jean and went to her concerts before I found the Watersons. Love them all. RIP Jean. Your songs live on as we continue to sing them ourselves.

[@kaygriggs]

Jean Redpath is a treasure much like Julie Andrews...Jean could only have come from the heart of that wonderful Scottish musical culture where the young are all encouraged to sing and play as a part of life. Gentile soft well spoken verses...behind which is dedicated practice, a full knowledge of the English language all tied up with a good sense of humor and a good sense of self. No pride, no arrogance, just lots of humility and talent. Katharine

[@larrygrant2396]

This is literally one of the nicest things I have ever heard in my life. Lady Mary Ann is a beautiful melody to begin with, and Jean Redpath's voice does it perfect justice, but the way the sparse piano accompaniment weaves around and compliments the melody is absolutely perfect and is a masterclass in arranging. I can listen to this 10 times in a row and it gets me right in the feels every time.

[@brawladdie1]

Yes, the full version is very sad. The truncated version is more enigmatic but still beautiful. Jean Redpath has that kind of reassuring, maternal voice that must have accompanied many a Scottish bairn's journey into sleep via a lullaby. Her Fife lilt reminds me of my relatives from Leven. In the 60's, she shared a New York apartment with Bob Dylan who pinched and adapted many of her tunes, e.g 'The Times They Are A-Changing', 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' - never properly acknowledged.

[@TheMeleemonkey]

Pure and beautiful.

[@tompreston5523]

To me this is the prettiest arrangement ever of a great piece, sung by one of the very best. Really haunting the way each verse ends on the fourth (I think that's how you say it). Thanks for putting it up.

[@brightphoebesays]

Lovely, and beautiful slideshow too.

[@TheMeleemonkey]

@brightphoebus love the watersons. i was was just watching the north country maid video :)

[@TheMeleemonkey]

@brightphoebus are you a fan of The Watersons by any chance?

[@brightphoebesays]

@TheMeleemonkey That I am!

[@brawladdie1]

Yes, I'm only going by information in one of the biographies of Dylan that I've read, but the truth of it seems to click. The Clancy Brothers get lots of credit for their Irish musical influence on Saint Bob, but I don't think the other connection is generally known. Maybe it was partly behind St Andrews University awarding him an honorary doctorate in 2004.

[@murryjcohen]

What other connection are you referring to? How did Dylan influence The Clancy Brothers? They began singing before Dylan even reached New York. Liam Clancy (whose girlfriend was a sister of Dylan's) constantly alluded to Dylan's "adaptation" of Clancy Brothers songs ("The Patriots' Game", "Brennen on the Moor").