Niel Gow's 'Lament for the Death of his Second Wife'

A haunting trio arrangement of Niel Gow's beautiful 'lament for the death of his second wife'. Performed by Jed Mugford, Kate McCullough and Mike Gardiner. The second tune recorded at the the Highwayman pub in Kidlington.

Niel Gow (sic) (1727--1807) was the most famous Scottish fiddler of the eighteenth century. He married twice. After his first wife died Niel married Margaret Urquhart from Perth in 1768, and they went on to share a happy marriage until she died in 1805.

Niel was deeply hurt by her death, and stopped playing the fiddle for a while. When his friends finally convinced him to pick it up again, the first thing he played was his 'Lament for the Death of his Second Wife'. Niel died on 1 March 1807, aged 80.

[nicolelowe]

My husband heard this rendition and told me this was the song he wanted played at his graveside. He passed in 2021 and as promised this was played. I still get goosebumps every time I listen. Thank you so very much ❤

[vicicooper]

Perfect. Nothing can beat celtic music for laments.

[trudilm]

A truly beautiful rendition of a magical lament - thank you all.

[KaiTakApproach]

My grandmother is getting old and she knows her time is coming, even though she's still healthy yet and living on her own. I played this version for her and when I was done she asked me, through her tears, to play it again for her after she passes. Not sure I can thank you enough for posting, teaching me to play it, and allowing that kind of connection through music.

[CUITKIN]

AT the risk of attracting negative comment, my Brother recently passed away and because of the Covid and all, I was not able to say goodbye. So I got out my fiddle and started playing some tunes that he used to play on his harmonica. But none felt right. And as I played I kept hearing the sound of a badly tuned guitar being plucked. The low e and theA. I would stop and it would stop. Start and it would start. So then I started to play this piece. Hadn't played it for a while but I never played it better. The feeling in the room changed, felt clear. I played thru it about 3 times. No more plunky guitar sounds coming from nowhere. It felt like it was coming from my heart, I could not stop the tears but I knew it was the RIGHT thing to play. I think his spirit was there and he felt it too. For the first time since his passing, I was able to say Goddbye.

[alainsavarese]

Superbe et émouvante mélodie si bien jouée ! Je l'écoute souvent et parfois je la joue.

[newfiecelt]

The best lament ever. When Gow wrote this, his tears must've stained the notes on the paper. Well played...

[noahblake]

Written by my 6x great grandpa, legend❤❤

[paulybarrondo]

The best rendition of this lovely tune to be found anywhere.

[peteroehring]

In the old days this was the way we communicated human emotion en masse. No radio, TV, CDs, internet. These moments were non-existent to rare but when you heard them they rendered your heart.

[lizzy-folksongsscottis]

Beautifully Played by the three of you !

[LostintheTwilightZone]

This song always brings tears to my eyes. it is so you!!!

[FineCountryLiving]

I just found out that Niel Gow was my sixth great grandfather...what an honor!

[deebee]

glad i found this. i think it will do for me in more ways than one.

[jean-lucmichel]

Merci pour cette belle interprétation de cette mélodie poignante et si jolie !

[beatonlawrence]

For those of us who have lost a loved one, only we can understand the pain an anguish found in this music.

[michaelstrawson]

Great rendition - crystal clear and not fussy

[imshakermaker]

Despite all of its melancholic atmosphere and grief, I couldn't picture any other arrangement for that. Such a beautiful source of hopeness.

[lindapickering]

I love playing along with you on this lovely tune. You play is so beautifully. Thank You!

[Kobzar]

Hauntingly beautiful, Scottish in the best sense of the word, if there is any bad sense of that word at all… Thank you for sharing, keep up the good work, and warm wishes!