Maggie Lauder is best known as a song, attributed to Francis Sempill of Beltrees, with its affectionate and humorous description, read by some as an extended double-entendre, of an encounter between Maggie and Rob the Ranter, a Border piper. There is also a little known, probably earlier, song which tells a very different story about Maggie. The better known song inspired not only a short sequel, but also a long epic poem where Maggie and Rob are elevated to the level of mythological characters.
As a tune Maggie Lauder’s fullest expressions have been in the hands of fiddlers, but pipers have naturally had their way with it too, which is no surprise considering the subject matter of the song. Curiously, although it has found a place in the repertoires of Irish, Highland and Northumbrian pipers, no Lowland or Border pipe settings have hitherto come to light. The present article will remedy this situation as well as exploring the lore of the song and some of the varied manifestations of the tune.
9. CONCLUSION, REFERENCES, ACKNOWLEDEGMENTS, LOOSE ENDS