The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #12265   Message #95434
Posted By: Lesley N.
15-Jul-99 - 09:37 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Maggie Lauder
Subject: ADD Version: MAGGIE LAUDER
I did a search for Maggie Lauder and Rob the Ranter and didn't find this so I thought I'd post. I'll add the tune in a bit! The book says it is by Semple - which should be Francis Sempill (1677 1616-1682) - at least that who is said who MAY have written then tune. According to Bruce's site it appeared in the Scots Musical Museum (#98).

MAGGIE LAUDER

Wha wadna be in love
Wi' bonnie Maggie Lauder?
A piper met her guan to Fife,
And pier'd what was't they ca'd her;
Right scornfully she answer'd him,
Began you hall shaker,
Jog on your gate,
ye bladderscate,
My name is Maggie Lauder.

Maggie, quo he, and by my bags
I'm fidgin' fain to see the;
Sit down by me, my bonnie bird,
In troth I winna steer thee:
My name is Rob the Ranter;
The lasses loup as they were daft,
When I blaw up my chanter.

Piper, quo Meg, hae ye your bags,
Or is your drone in order?
If ye be Rob, I've heard of you,
Live ye upon the border?
The lasses a', baith far and near
Hae hear o' Rob the Ranter;
I'll shake my foot wi' right goo-will,
Fig ye'll blaw up your chanter.

Then to his bags he flew wi' speed,
About the drone he twisted;
Meg up and walloped o'er the gree,
Fro brawly could she frisk it.
Weel done, quo' he: play up, quo' she:
Weel bobb'd, qho Rob the Ranter;
It's worth my while to play, indeed,
When I hae sic a dancer.

Weel hae you play'd your part, quo' Meg,
Your cheeks are like the crimson;
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel,
Sin' we lost Habby Simson.
I've live'd in Fife, baith maid and wife,
These ten years and a quarter;
Gin ye should come to Anster fair,
Spier ye for Maggie Lauder.

Click to play


There's another song - Moggy Lowder at Bruce's site - with these lyrics

There liv'd a Lass in our Town,
Her name was Moggy Lawder,
And She would fain have plaid the Loon,
But durst not tell her father;
Now She's forgot her Father's fear,
And on the same did venture,
And afterwards as you shall hear,
A Lad did oft frequent her.

Now Moggy Lawder on a Day,
A Barber Lad did meet her,
Both Joy and Heart to her did say,
And kindly he did greet her:
My dear let me get thee with Bearn,
And Ise shall be it's Father,
And you'll be Mother of the same,
My bonny Moggy Lawder.

Sweet-heart to him she says indeed,
And so did fall a weeping,
I'm wearied with my Maidenhead
While I have it in keeping:
But if thou'lt true and trusty be,
As I am Moggie Lawder,
Ise then will give it unto thee,
But do not tell my Father.

For if my Father hear he same,
Right fore he will abuse me,
But I think long to try the Game,
Therefore I'll not refuse thee:
But first protest to marry me,
To be my Baby's Father,
And be a Husband unto me,
Bonny Moggy Lawder.

My Dear says he indeed I am,
Unto my Trade a Shaver,
And there is not a living Man,
Can call me a Deceiver;
Yea surely I will marry thee,
And be thy Baby's Father,
And thou shalt be a Wife to me,
My bonny Moggie Lawder.

And then to her he gave a Kiss,
Saying, Dear, how shall I please thee,
Be sure I will do more than this,
And of thy troubles ease thee:
And all along upon her Back,
He laid poor Moggy Lawder,
Gave her a Scope upon her dope,
She durst not tell her Father.

With Kisses and Embraces then,
In Peace and Love they parted,
And did appoint another time,
To meet there loving hearted:
And with a merry Heart's content,
With what the Lad had gave her,
Rejoycing homeward as she went
She sung the jolly Shaver.

But now the Seed that late was sown,
Is become a springing,
And she is melancholly grown,
And has left off her singing:
And often in her Heart could wish,
That she had been a Callder,
For Edinburgh is filled with
The talk of Moggie Lawder.

(From Bruce's scarce songs 1 - Thank you Bruce!)
http://users.erols.com/olsonw/SONGTXT1.HTM

Someone wrote me a while back asking about the tune Maggie Lauder. Knowing neither one at the time - can anyone suggest which version of the lyrics were they probably looking for?

Whew - long message... sorry..


Maggie Lauder at Lesley's site.
Moggy Lawder at Lesley's site