The Dowie Dens O’Yarrow
Aug 13th, 2008 by oldfogey
For me this is one of the most dramatic and tragic songs ever recorded by The Corries. It never fails to move me. In part it is because of the simple direct singing of the late Roy Williamson but in part too by the dramatic colour given by the instruments played by Roy and Ronnie Browne. These are Combolins, hybrid instruments, designed and made by Roy Williamson himself. The two instruments aren’t the same - the one played by Roy comprises guitar strings and some thirteen extra strings which act as a drone. Ronnie’s instrument is a combination of mandolin and guitar with an additional four bass strings.
The song is an ancient Scottish ballad about love and vengeance. I have written a fuller appreciation of the song here.
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