Lily Neill - The Slave’s Lament

Associated with the Scottish poet and music collector Robert Burns (1759–1796), “The Slave’s Lament” is based on “The Treppan’d 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 song’s publication it is likely that it tells of a woman who left England for America as an indentured servant. Robert Burns used “Th