Brackens (Pteridium) are a genus of about ten species of large, coarse ferns.  Bracken may be considered to be one of the most successful ferns.  It is a prolific and abundant plant in the highlands of British Isles.  The word bracken is of Old Norse origin, related to the Swedish word bräken, meaning fern.

Bracken fiddleheads (the immature, tightly curled emerging fronds) have been considered edible by many cultures throughout history, and are still commonly used today as a foodstuff. Bracken fiddleheads are either consumed fresh (and cooked) or preserved by salting, pickling, or sun drying.  Both fronds and rhizomes have been used to brew beer, and the rhizome starch has been used as a substitute for arrowroot. Bread can be made out of dried and powered rhizomes alone or with other flour.

The tune also goes by the titles, The Bracken Highland Fling, Buain Na Rainich, Cutting Bracken, Cutting Ferns, Dúlamán, Dúlamán, Dulaman, Faery's Lament, Heavin' Bracken, Pulling The Bracken, and The Weary Maid.

Lyrics Why should I sit and sigh, Puin' bracken, Puin' bracken Why should I sit and sigh, On the hillside dreary? When I see the plover rising Or the curlew wheeling, Then I trow (trust, believe) my mortal lover, Back to me is stealing. Why should I sit and sigh, Puin' bracken, Puin' bracken Why should I sit and sigh, On the hillside dreary?