Lamkin & Son

[steepholm]

IT’S Lamkin was a mason good
As ever built wi stane;
He built Lord Wearie’s castle,
But payment got he nane.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Comments

[hafren.livejournal.com]

I'm not defending the meaures they took, but "Their greed for money stopped at nothing" seems a bit rich assuming this was money they were owed.

And of course, beside Lamkin and the nurse they look positively mild... despite being a bit frozen with horror about what had just become of the baby, I could never resist a cheer at

There needs no basin, Lamkin,
Let it run through the floor.
What better is the heart's blood
Of the rich than the poor?

Incidentally, does your version have the lines

But the nourice was as false
As him that hung on tree"? I've always assumed this means Odin, rather than being a surprising bit of blasphemy, but never checked.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I'm not defending the meaures they took, but "Their greed for money stopped at nothing" seems a bit rich assuming this was money they were owed.

I agree. But it's nicely balanced by the understatement that follows:

"But to bind and gag the father, kidnap the wife and two-year-old daughter while making a threatening demand for money, is nothing short of sinister."

I'd imagine the hanging one was Judas, but I like Odin better!

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Ooh yes, I hadn't thought of Judas. Very possible. I know why I assumed Odin - there's a George Mackay Brown version of "The Selkie Lover" story in which someone swears "be him that hung on tree" and it's made clear that this is Odin.

[lilliburlero.livejournal.com]

No false nourice in the case, though. I always liked her best.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Yes, I missed her too.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the pricking all over of the baby, like some kind of demented kitchenry. The cunning with the rattle. The malice. The glee.

And in her heart's bluid as it run
They blithely washed their hands

Nine

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Reliable childcare is so hard to come by!