Origins: Maggie Lauder

Subject: Lyr Add: MAGGIE LAUDER
From:
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 03:17 AM

Finally got round to copying 'MAGGIE LAUDER':

MAGGIE LAUDER

Upstair, doon the stair, I play my chanter rarely
And there you hug and kiss the girls I never want to marry (?)

Wha wadnae be in love with bonnie Maggie Lauder
A piper met her gaun tae Fife he asked what they called her
Right scornfully she answered him, Begone ye hallanshaker
Jog on your gate you blether skyte - my name is Maggie Lauder

Meg, says he, And by my bags I'm fidgin' fain to see thee
Sit doon by me, my bonnie bird, in troth I wouldnae steer thee
For I'm a piper tae my trade, my name is Rab the Ranter
The lassies loup as they were daft when I blaw up my chanter

Piper, says Meg, Ha'e ye your bags, is your drone in order
If you be Rab I've heard o' you, do you live on the border
The lasses a' baith far and near hae heard o' Rab the Ranter
I'll shake my foot wi' richt guidwill when you blaw up your chanter

Then tae his bags he flew with speed, aboot the drone he twisted
Meg up an' walloped o'er the green, for brawly could she frisk it
Weel done, says he, Weel played, says she, Weel bobbed, says Rab the Ranter
It's worth my while tae play indeed when I hae sic a dancer

Well hae you played your part, says Meg, Your cheeks they are like crimson
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel since we lost Habbie Simpson
I've lived in Fife baith maid and wife these ten years and a quarter
The next time you're in Anst'er (?), just ask for Maggie Lauder

hallanshaker - tramp; blether skyte - windbag, gossip; steer thee- interfere with you; fidgin' - excited; loup - dance

This version comes from the Corries' 'Live in Scotland 1' (1974) which being lively as well as live, makes it hard to understand in places (see question marks). Maybe someone out there can help. This is the only version I know with a chorus, and I suspect they added it themselves to give the audience a chance to join in. If you can find Dick Gaughan's 'Kist o' Gold' (1977) listen to his superb version. - Susanne

Some more items from my ragbag collection:

[1900:] This is a song that has few equals in its class, and which, though more than 200 years old, is as potent today as when it fell fresh from the imagination of its author, Francis Sempill, the last of the rhyming Lairds of Beltrees. The Sempills of Beltrees, in Renfrewshire, were distinguished as poets when Scottish poets were few and obscure. [...]
Doubts, to be sure, have been thrown out as to Sempill being the author of Maggie Lauder at all. These are based on two grounds, the first being that the scene of the song belongs to Fifeshire; and the second, that the song, if as old as Sempill's day, would have appeared in Ramsay's "Tea-Table Miscellany", which it does not. In reply to these objections it may be said, in all fairness, that although the heroine, Maggie Lauder, professedly belonged to Anster (Anstruther), yet the scene of the song is not laid there, nor even in the county of that town, for in the very first verse we are told "A piper met her gaun to Fife." As to the song not appearing in the "Tea-Table Miscellany", that might arise from the same accident or oversight by which various other old and worthy songs are missing from that yet wonderfully comprehensive collection. Allan Ramsay was not infallible. Moreover, the allusion to Habbie Simpson in the last stanza should be admitted to favour the claim for Sempill being the author, for Simpson was a noted piper in Kilbarchan village, contiguous to the estate of Beltrees, and had already provoked the muse of the elder Sempill (Francis's father). But really in the present day there is no one who has any doubt about the authorship; and the honour, without contention, goes to Francis Sempill, at whose worthy credit it will doubtless remain.
If the identity of the author is fixed beyond reasonable cavil, not so, however, the personality of the heroine, which has long been a question of speculation among the antiquaries. There seems fairly good reason to believe that William de Anstruther, who occupied the Castle of Dreel, in this little Fifeshire town, in King Alexander's time, did bring home a wife named Lady Margaret Lauder from the opposite side of the Forth; but that this was the lady who shook her foot with "richt gude-will" to Rob the Ranter's piping is, to say the least, somewhat doubtful. Professor Tennant, in his elaborate poem of "Anster Fair", describes Maggie as a wealthy heiress, while Captain Charles Gray, in his sequel to the song, locates her in "a snug wee house in the East Green". Sir Robert Lauder of the Ross, the loyal Scottish cavalier, certainly had a sister who was celebrated as a dancer. More than that, she was celebrated for her bravery.
Sir Robert's farm and buildings where he stored his corn, being on the mainland at North Berwick, and his seed corn having at the time been laid up in sacks in his granary, Cromwell sent a party of his Ironsides to seize it for the use of his troops, then encamped near Dunbar. Sir Robert's servants, being too few in numbers to resist, came in great tribulation to tell Mistress Margaret, their master being away. Mistress Margaret, as the story goes, at once called for "a sharp knife and a strong flail". Having got these, she entered the granary; and after upbraiding the plundering Roundheads for their lawless proceedings, she ripped up all the sacks and scattered the corn, and then laid about her so lustily with the flail that the men took to flight and left their spoil. The character here revealed would perfectly agree with the Maggie Lauder of the song; but the connection has not been definitely established, and the real Maggie Lauder has yet to be discovered.
As regards the tune to which the song has always been sung, it is said to have been known in England by the name of Maggie Louther; and even the Irish have claimed its paternity, alleging that the Scots stole it from their minstrelsy, and put it to the base use of celebrating "a famous courtesan of Crail". But there is no proof that the air is not originally Scotch any more than the song itself. Certainly it was popular in London for a time, but that was not until nearly the middle of the last century, when it was sung in the "Quaker's Opera" performed at Bartholomew Fair in 1728, and was introduced into Gay's opera of "Achilles" produced in 1733.
Burns held the song in high esteem, and there never was a better judge of song-ware. "It is so pregnant with Scottish naiveté and energy," he says, "it is much relished by all ranks, notwithstanding its broad wit and palpable allusions. Its language is a precious model of imitation - sly, sprightly, and forcibly expressive. Maggie's tongue wags out the nicknames of Rob the Piper with all the careless lightsomeness of unrestrained gaiety." That is so. But here I am reminded of one other controversial point with regard to the song. Was it Maggie or the Piper that was "gaun to Fife"? Strange as it may appear to those who read with both eyes open, there has been more wind wasted in the endeavour to solve this problem (so-called) than would have kept the Ranter's drone bumming for a year and a day. The third line says in simple and unequivocal language - "A piper met her gaun to Fife", the only reasonable inference from which is that Maggie was "gaun to Fife"; yet that poor innocent, simple and natural sentence has been contorted and subjected to the most absurd punctuation and jerky declamation in order to prove that it was the piper, and not Maggie Lauder, who was going to Fife. Oh, the dullards! Even although the statement here had not been altogether clear and emphatic, they had only to read on to the last verse to have every doubt removed, when Maggie says:
Gin ye should come to Anster Fair
Speir ye for Maggie Lauder
The word come surely places the matter beyond dispute. [...] (Robert Ford, Song Histories 96ff)

[1962:] Francis Sempill had had attributed to him, in addition to Maggie Lauder, the roistering and outrageous song, The Blythsome Bridal. His authorship of both these songs has been disputed, mainly because it is based on the unconfirmed claims of his grandchildren. (Norman Buchan, 101 Scottish Folksongs 149)

[1977:] It always amuses me that this fairly obvious piece of symbolism managed to pass with flying colours the great purge of anything the slightest bit risqué which happened, especially in Scotland. (Notes Dick Gaughan, 'Kist o' Gold')

[1988:] Doubts of Sempill's authorship confirmed in William Donaldson, Jacobite Song 31

Subject: RE: Lyrics - Bonnie George Campbell + others
From: Bruce O.
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 12:32 PM

The tune of "Maggie Lauder" is actually in 8 ballad operas, and a few of these are given on my website, along with the earlier song of "Moggie Lawther" in the Scarce Songs file. "The Scottish Contract", containing an early version of "The Blythsome Bridal", and sung to the same tune is also given there. www.erols.com/olsonw

Subject: Tune Add: MOGGY LAUTHER / MAGGIE LAUDER
From: Bruce O.
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 04:59 PM

When did the "Maggy Lawder" song above first appear? It's in Herd's 'Scots Songs' II, 1776. It's not in Robert Bremner's two collections of 30 Scots Songs, c 1757, but Bremner published it as a single sheet song with music, c 1770. The song with tune is #544 In 'The Scots Musical Museum', and is in Graham's 'Songs of Scotland', II. The claim was made that Semple wrote it about 1642. I have found no mention of song or tune of the 17th century, or even of the very early 18th century. What appear to be the two earliest known copies of the tune were published by the Neals in Dublin. That from their country dances of c 1726 is on my website. The earlier copy is that below.

X:1
T:MOGGY LAUTHER
S:Neals' 'A Coll'n....Celebrated Scotch Tunes', Dublin, c 1724
Q:60
L:1/4
M:C|
K:G
G/z/G/z/G/z/G|A3/4B/4A3/4G/4FA|B/G/G/G/GG|d3/4e/4d3/4c/4Bc|\
d3/4e/4d/B/cB|A3/4B/4A3/4E/4FA|B3/4c/4B3/4G/4cB/A/|\
B/4c/4d/A/B/GG|]

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Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: ADD Version: MAGGIE LAUDER
From: Lesley N.
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 09:37 AM

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.

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Click to play

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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..

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

Subject: Tune Add: MAGGIE LAUDER
From: Lesley N.
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 10:04 AM

Sempill was not a child prodigy - he was born in 1616... (my finger and brain don't seem to process information at the same rate) Anyway, here's the tune for the first set of lyrics.

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Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net

ABC format:

X:1
T:Maggie Lauder
M:4/4
Q:1/4=109
K:A
A2AAA3/2B/2Ac|B3/2c/2BAG2Bd|cAAEA3/2B/2Ac|
e3/2f/2edc2ec|d3/2e/2dfc3/2d/2ce|B3/2c/2d/2c/2B/2A/2G3/2A/2dF|
AEFCD3/2C/2B,3/2d/2|ceB3/2c/2AA||

Subject: Lyr Add: MAGGIE LAUDER
From: Murray on Salt Spring
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 02:34 AM

Sorry, but I've taken the liberty of correcting the typos etc. in the text above; this is mainly as per the Scots Musical Museum, no. 544 (p. 562).

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

Maggie, quo' he, and by my bags
I'm fidgin' fain to see thee;
Sit down by me, my bonnie bird,
In troth I winna steer thee:
For I'm a piper to my trade,
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 heard o' Rob the Ranter;
I'll shak my foot wi' right good will,
Gif 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 green,
For brawly could she frisk it.
Weel done, quo' he: Play up, quo' she:
Weel bobb'd, quo Rob the Ranter;
'Tis 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.

Does anyone need words glossed here? Like "Gif", = if, for instance. Cheers Murray

Subject: RE: LYR Add and Info Request - Maggie Lauder
From:
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 02:41 AM

Scots Musical Museum #544 is song and tune of "Maggie Lauder". #98 has the tune, but the song there is "The Joyful Widower", commencing "I married with a scolding wife".

Subject: RE: LYR Add and Info Request - Maggie Lauder
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 May 04 - 02:14 AM

The Traditional Ballad Index has a short entry on this song, with no songbook or recording listings:

Maggie Lauder

DESCRIPTION: Maggie meets a piper, Rab the Ranter, and encourages him to strike up a tune while she dances. He does, and she praises his work; he says, "It's worth my while to play indeed When I hae sic a dancer." She encourages him to ask for her if he comes again
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1794 (Ritson)
KEYWORDS: music dancing
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland)
Roud #5625
SAME TUNE:
Cornwallis Burgoyned (broadside of 1781)
Notes: One can only suspect that more than piping and dancing lies behind this song. This, indeed, may explain its rarity in the older collections; it sounds like a hidden story of something extremely indelicate. - RBW
File: NSMagLau

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Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions

The Ballad Index Copyright 2004 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

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Not much at Folktrax.org:

MAGGIE LAUDER - "Wha wadna be in love wi bonny Maggie Lauder?" - ROUD#5625 -- Ewan McCOLL (vocal) rec by Alan Lomax, Hyde, Chesh 1951: 7"RTR-0705/ DAT talk bef descr as song from Fife

Subject: RE: LYR Add and Info Request - Maggie Lauder
From: masato sakurai
Date: 09 May 04 - 05:40 AM

Pages from John Greig's Scots Minstrelsie, vol. 2 (1893):

p. 156

p. 157

notes

Subject: RE: LYR Add and Info Request - Maggie Lauder
From: masato sakurai
Date: 09 May 04 - 05:52 AM

Maggie Lauder at The Murray Collection (Mu23-y4:002), with audio.

From Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads:

maggie lauder [title]

maggy lauther [title]

Subject: RE: LYR Add and Info Request - Maggie Lauder
From: Big Tim
Date: 09 May 04 - 04:34 PM

Five Hand Reel recorded a nifty version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Maggie Lauder
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 20 - 11:34 PM

Is this the same melody as "Courtin' in the Kitchen"?