Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

50 MINSTRELSY OF
NOTES
THE WIFE OF USHER'S WELL.
/ wish the wind may never cease, S^c.— P. 47. v. 2.
The sense of this verse is ohscure, owing, probably, to cor-
ruption by reciters. It would appear that the mother had sin-
ned in the same degree with the celebrated Lenore.
And their hats were o the hirk.—P. 47. v. 3.
The notion', that the souls of the blessed wear garlands, seems
to be of Jewish origin. At least in the Maase-hook, there is
a Rabbinical tradition to the following effect :
" It fell out, that a Jew, whose name was Ponim, an ancient
" man, whose business was altogether about the dead, coming
" to the door of the school, saw one standing there, who had
" a garland upon his head. Then was Rabbi Ponim afraid,
" imagining it was a spirit. "WTiereupon he, whom the Rabbi
" saw, called out to him, saying, ' Be not afraid, but pass for-
" ward. Dost thou not know me }' Then said Rabbi Ponim,
" ' Art not thou he whom I buried yesterday ?' And he was
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