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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Annie Laurie
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Scottish song whose origins are as misty as the love it expresses. Annie Laurie (1682–1764) was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwelton; it is said that she rejected the love of William Douglas of Fingland, who then wrote this lyric claiming that she gave him her promise true in Maxwelton braes. However the text first appears in a book of ballads in 1823 and its famous tune was not published until 1838. Lady John Scott later claimed to be author of the tune and adapter of William Douglas's words.
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