The Moss-Trooper's Lament
The Moss-trooper; by Thomas Jones Barker The Moss-Trooper's Lament The musical collection of Scottish songs called Vocal Melodies of Scotland, and published by Nathaniel Gow (1810-1820?), states that Sir Walter Scott was given this song by a Lady who remained anonymous. Scott handed the song to Finlay Dun, a music teacher in Edinburgh who arranged the work which is set out at the bottom of this page The Moss troopers were a type of brigand who appears to have emerged during the War of the Three Kingdoms, (1638-1652), and were first mentioned by that name in 1645 by a Act of Parliament, Scotland. They were landless bandits and thieves who hid in moorland, hills and inassessible places. After Oliver Cromwell practically occupied Scotland by late 1651 after victory over Charles II at Worcester, Sept 3, Moss-Troopers commanded by Captain Patrick Gordon, nicknamed Stielhand the Mosser, and a German called Captain Augustine Hoffman operating fr...