ABSTRACT
In a first approach to the traditional vocal music of Lowland Scotland two main avenues of exploration present themselves, the song and the ballad. Whereas the Gael, as we have seen, has tended to keep his tunes in his head rather than on paper, the Lowland Scot early became interested in writing them down and putting them into print. A remarkable exception in Lowland Scots song however exists in the ‘Lament for Alexander III’. Robert Burns wrote words for many tunes which had hitherto only existed as instrumental airs, and which he took from the printed collections already mentioned. He was the first man also to make extensive use of Gaelic tunes for Lowland Scots songs. Scott divides the ballads into two classes, Historical and Romantic. Both kinds are to be found throughout Lowland Scotland.
