Origins: I'll tak ye tae Glenisla/Busk Busk Bonnie

Subject: RE: Origins: I'll tak ye tae Glenisla/Busk Busk Bonnie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jul 15 - 04:12 AM

Not much on this song in the Traditional Ballad Index:

Busk, Busk, Bonnie Lassie

DESCRIPTION: Singer asks girl to go with him. He points to shepherds and soldiers marching, and the snowy hills, which parted many lovers and will part them. Refrain: "Busk, busk, bonnie lassie, and come alang wi me/I will tak' ye tae Glenisla near bonnie Glenshee"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1963 (collected from Charlotte Higgins)
KEYWORDS: courting love travel parting
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
MacSeegTrav 33, "Busk, Busk, Bonnie Lassie" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #832
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Oh! No, No" (lyrics)
NOTES: No relation to "Lass of Glenshee." - PJS
To busk, in this context, is to prepare to travel. - PJS, RBW
File: McCST033

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll tak ye tae Glenisla
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 04:24 PM

Thanks everyone:I've replied on the previous thread, but as I said special thanks to Zebedee (boing!) for all the wisdom! Tattie B

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll tak ye tae Glenisla
From: John Nolan
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 04:32 PM

With deference to Belle Stewart, it makes more sense to sing the 'soldiers' verse before the 'shepherds' verse, as, during the Clearances, highlanders were ethnically cleansed at sword and gun point, a little before the arrival of the land-thieves' cash crop, sheep.

Subject: Lyr Add: BUSK BUSK BONNIE LASSIE
From: wildlone
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 03:17 PM

I think it was the Corries that did this one many years ago with a few words different.

BUSK BUSK BONNIE LASSIE

Oh do you see yon high hills
All covered with snow
They hae parted many a true love
And they'll soon part us twa

Oh, do you see yon shepherd,
As he walks along
With his plaidie pulled aroond him
As his sheep they graze on

Chorus

Busk, busk, bonnie lassie
And come along wi' me
And I'll take ye tae Glen Isla
Near Bonnie Glen Shee

Oh do you see yon soldiers
As they all march along
Wi' their muskets on their shoulders
And their broadswords hanging down

Oh do you see yon high hills
All covered with snow
They hae parted many a true love
And they'll soon part us twa

I have just checked it out on my "NEW"!stereo I bought today and this is the version on the Corries
"Live"A live O LP contour 6870-539 rec 1972

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'll tak ye tae Glenisla
From: Zebedee
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 08:34 AM

Tattie,

The song is in the DT. You can find it by clicking here

Your original request did get several replies - click here Threads disappear off the main page after 24 hours without a reply. You can find older threads by using the 'Filter' box near the top of the main page, and changing the number of days that you want to look at.

Zeb

Subject: I'll tak ye tae Glenisla
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 05:57 AM

Thought I'd posted this the other day, but can't find my request or any replies! HEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPP! Got it on a Gaberlunzie tape but can't quite make out all the words of first and last verses! Please can anyone help? Tattia Bogle