Lily Neill The Slaves Lament

Associated with the Scottish poet and music collector Robert Burns (17591796), The Slaves Lament is based on The Treppand Maiden (also known as The Distressed Damsel), from Samuel Pepys 17th century broadside ballad collection. It tells of a betrayed maiden who is sent to work in harsh conditions in Virginia and longs to return to England. Given the timing of this songs publication it is likely that it tells of a woman who left England for America as an indentured servant. Robert Burns used Th