Pronunciation: [ðə twˈɑː sˈɪstəz] (IPA) 
The phrase "the twa sisters" is a Scottish folk song that tells the story of two sisters who fall in love with the same man. The spelling of the phrase is consistent with Scottish English, with the use of "twa" instead of "two." In IPA phonetic transcription, "twa" is pronounced as /twa/, with a short "a" sound. This spelling variation is typical of Scottish English and adds to the unique charm of the traditional song.
The Twa Sisters is a traditional English folk ballad that tells the tale of two sisters, often identified as the elder and younger sister, who become the central characters in a tragic story of love, jealousy, and murder.
The ballad begins with the discovery of the elder sister's drowned body in a flowing river by a miller. The miller retrieves the body and recalls the circumstances leading to her demise. The story unfolds gradually as the younger sister's jealousy and envy over a lover they both desire, also known as a knight or a sailor, grows deeper. The younger sister confesses her feelings to the knight, expressing her intent to kill her elder sister.
One day, while the elder sister is standing by the riverside, the younger sister pushes her into the water to her death. The miller, a witness to the murder, recovers the body and transforms it into a musical instrument, such as a harp. The harp, strung with the elder sister's hair, is presented to various people and produces a sorrowful melody, recounting the tragic events.
"The Twa Sisters" is a haunting ballad that explores themes of sibling rivalry, envy, murder, remorse, and supernatural elements. It often serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of jealousy and the destructive nature of envy. This ballad has been widely recorded, adapted, and passed down through generations, showcasing its enduring impact on the folk music tradition.
