The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #9745   Message #2353869
Posted By: Jim Dixon
31-May-08 - 04:42 PM
Thread Name: Lyr/Chords Req: Bonnie Maid of Fife (Nick Keir)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BONNIE MAID OF FIFE (Nick Keir)
Here's how Nick Keir really sings it. (At least I assume that's Nick Keir's solo voice on the McCalmans recording – see the link below.)

THE BONNIE MAID OF FIFE
Nick Keir

One evening fair, I took the air down by the river Forth
To take my ease and watch the geese fly in squadrons from the north;
And there I spied all on the tides, I knew in all my life,
That I had never seen such a gentle queen as the bonnie maid of Fife.

Her eyes were like some summer fair in autumn's wisdom's doors.
A man could find more treasure there than in any pirate's hoard.
A smile so free, as rich as the sea pierced my heart like any knife
As she skipped and she danced all along the sands, the bonnie maid of Fife.

And as she danced, she sang a tune of a hue both sweet and sad.
Its gentle tones could charm the stones or captivate any lad.
The birds began to tune their voices and set the sky alight,
Ah, but their notes were shrill all beside the trill of the bonnie maid of Fife.

And I have been a traveller bold far off from Scotland's gates,
And to Holland and to Norway I ply the roving trade.
I've seen fair maids in London town. I've lived a freeman's life;
But my heart's full swell is in the spell of the bonnie maid of Fife,
But my heart's full swell is in the spell of the bonnie maid of Fife.

[As sung by Nick Keir on The McCalmans' album "Scottish Songs," Ross Records, 1993.]

[You can listen to the entire song for free at the All Celtic Music web site, or download it for £0.67.]