“Everyone enjoys stories of double lives and secret identities,” writes poet Dana Gioia in his book “Can Poetry Matter?” When studying the life and work of Lady Carolina Nairne of Scotland (1766–1845), one quickly becomes delighted by mystery.
A skillful songwriter, Nairne not only penned some of the country’s beloved traditional compositions, she also helped preserve Scotland’s rich folk music history. Many of her lyrics were set to melodies of Scottish standards. But anonymity regarding her work was of utmost importance to her, and her vast contributions to the folk tradition only came to light after her death.
