The Lyke Wake Dirge was first transcribed by John Aubrey (of Brief Lives
fame) in the 17th century, from oral tradition. I don't have Child to hand,
unfortunately (didn't have the money when Dover reprinted all 5 vols!), but
that's what it says in The Ballad Book, ed. MacEdward Leach (Harper, 1955),
an excellent edition, by the way.
Bruce McClintock
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> Incidentally, since posting the original text I've
> come across a dating of 18th century! That does seem a
> little late to me. Does anyone else have any comments
> on this one?
>
> > If I may contribute a little something...
> > I've never seen a date for this lyric from
> > Yorkshire,
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