Note 43 — Chapter II · TALES ILLUSTRATIVE OF FAIRY SUPERSTITION. (continued 2)

Several versions of the song will be found in Campbell’s Leabhar na Feinne, p. 198. According to the Skye tradition, the secret of Oisian’s birth was not known till notice was taken of his never eating venison like the rest of the host. On being questioned, he said, “When everyone picks his mother’s shank bone, I will pick my own mother’s slender shank bone.”