The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #33695   Message #2352174
Posted By: Malcolm Douglas
29-May-08 - 01:34 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Tinker's Wedding / Tinklers' Waddin'
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinker's Wedding / Tinklers' Waddin'
But not if you live in Scotland, where the song was written and originally published; or in most places outside the USA, come to that. Google doesn't think you are important enough to be allowed to see it.

In this case it doesn't matter, as Ford's text is identical (bar a couple of slightly variant spellings) to the one I posted in this thread seven years ago; and his tune is identical to the midi linked to above. The accompanying notes might be of interest, though:

'Who, I wonder, is he that was reared in any country district in Scotland and is old enough to have cut his wisdom teeth and never heard the rarely humorous, graphic, and rattling song of "The Tinkler's Waddin'," which is quite a classic of its kind, though seldom met with in printed form? Even when printed the author's name has not been attached. Yet we know that it was written by William Watt, who was born at West Linton, Peeblesshire, 1792, and was author, besides, of "Kate Dalrymple." Watt, who was a weaver to trade, cultivated with success the three sister arts of poesy, painting and music. In his early career he removed to East Kilbride, where for a time he was Parish Kirk precentor. Two editions of his poems were published during his life - one in 1835 and another in 1844 - both of which sold rapidly. A third and last edition, issued in four monthly parts, one shilling each, and comprising in all 338 pages, appeared soon after his death. He died as late as 1859.'

Robert Ford, Vagabond Songs and Ballads of Scotland With Many Old and Familiar Melodies (single volume edition). Paisley: Alexander Gardner, 1904, 1-4.