To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=107438
11 messages

Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)

02 Jan 08 - 03:56 PM (#2226937)
Subject: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Burns)
From: chico


  
   A                E      A
  Duncan Gray cam here to woo
   A    D        A
  (Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
  On blythe Yule-Night when we were fou                On blythe Christmas Eve when we were drunk
  (Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
   A                D
  Maggie coost her head fu' high,                        Maggie cast her head full high,
   Bm                 E7
  Look'd asklent and unco skeigh,                        Looked askance and very skittish, [askLENT and uhnco sky]
   A         D        A    E
  Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh -                        Made poor Duncan stand off
  Ha, ha, the wooing o't!
  
  Duncan fleech'd, and Duncan pray'd                Duncan wheedled, and Duncan prayed
  Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig                        Meg was deaf [deef] as Ailsa Craig (a rocky island) 
  Duncan sigh'd baith out and in,                        Duncan sighed both out and in,
  Grat his een baith bleer't an' blin',                Wept his eyes both bleary and blind,
  Spak o' lowpin o'er a linn -                        Spoke of leaping over a waterfall
  
  Time and Chance are but a tide
  Slighted love is sair to bide                        Slighted love is sore to endure
  'Shall I like a fool,' quoth he,
  'For a haughty hizzie die?                        For a haughty hussy die?
  She may gae to - France for me! -
  
  How it comes, let doctors tell
  Meg grew sick, as he grew hale
  Something in her bosom wrings,
  For relief a sigh she brings,
  And O! her een they spak sic things!                And O! her eyes they speak such things!
  
  Duncan was a lad o' grace
  Maggie was a piteous case
  Duncan could na be her death,                        Duncan could not be her death,
  Swelling pity smoor'd his wrath;                Swelling pity smothered his wrath;
  Now they're crouse and canty baith                Now they're proud and jolly both -

23 Jan 10 - 12:23 PM (#2819597)
Subject: Lyr Req: Duncen Gray's come here to wed
From: *#1 PEASANT*

Anyone have the notation for:
Duncen Gray's come here to wed

respond to

cbladey@verizon.net

if posible.

Many thanks in advance for your kind assistance.

Conrad

23 Jan 10 - 05:04 PM (#2819847)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Duncen Gray's come here to wed
From: GUEST,Jack Campin

Duncan Gray.

Any collection of Burns.

23 Jan 10 - 05:46 PM (#2819864)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Duncen Gray's come here to wed
From: Joe Offer

Hi, Conrad - the tune in the Digital Tradition seems pretty good, and there's a more complex arrangement at Popular Songs of Scotland (Google Books).

-Joe-

Duncan Gray

Burns Original

Standard English Translation

1.
Duncan Gray cam here to woo
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
On blythe Yule-Night when we were fou
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Maggie coost her head fu' high,
Look'd asklent and unco skeigh,
Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh -
Ha, ha, the wooing o't!
2.
Duncan fleech'd, and Duncan pray'd
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Duncan sigh'd baith out and in,
Grat his een baith bleer't an' blin',
Spak o' lowpin o'er a linn -
Ha, ha, the wooing o't!
3.
Time and Chance are but a tide
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Slighted love is sair to bide
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
' Shall I like a fool,' quoth he,
' For a haughty hizzie die?
She may gae to - France for me! -
Ha, ha, the wooing o't!
4.
How it comes, let doctors tell
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Meg grew sick, as he grew hale
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Something in her bosom wrings,
For relief a sigh she brings,
And O! her een they spak sic things! -
Ha, ha, the wooing o't!
5.
Duncan was a lad o' grace
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Maggie was a piteous case
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't!)
Duncan could na be her death,
Swelling pity smoor'd his wrath;
Now they're crouse and canty baith -
Ha, ha, the wooing o't!


Duncan Gray cam here to woo
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
On blythe Christmas Eve when we were drunk
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Maggie cast her head full high,
Looked askance and very skittish,
Made poor Duncan stand off -
Ha, ha, the wooing of it!

Duncan wheedled, and Duncan prayed
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig (a rocky island)
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Duncan sighed both out and in,
Wept his eyes both bleary and blind,
Spoke of leaping over a waterfall -
Ha, ha, the wooing of it!

Time and Chance are but a tide
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Slighted love is sore to endure
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
' Shall I like a fool,' said he,
' For a haughty hussy die?
She may go to - France for me! -
Ha, ha, the wooing of it!

How it comes, let doctors tell
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Meg grew sick, as he grew hale
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Something in her bosom wrings,
For relief a sigh she brings,
And O! her eyes they speak such things! -
Ha, ha, the wooing of it!

Duncan was a lad of grace
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Maggie was a piteous case
(Ha, ha, the wooing of it!)
Duncan could not be her death,
Swelling pity smothered his wrath;
Now they're proud and jolly both -
Ha, ha, the wooing of it!
Source: World Burns Club
Here's the version from the Digital Tradition - where's it from? It's also found here (click).

DUNCAN GRAY
(Robert Burns)

Weary fa' you, Duncan Gray!
(Ha, ha, the girdin o't!)
Wae gae by you, Duncan Gray!
(Ha, ha, the girdin o't!)
When a' the lave gae to their play,
Then I maun sit the lee-lang day,
And jeeg the cradle wi my tae,
And a' for the girdin o't!

Bonie was the lammas moon,
(Ha, ha, the girdin o't!)
Glow'rin a'the hills, aboon,
(Ha, ha, the girdin o't!)
The girdin brak, the beast cam down,
I tint my curch and baith my shoon,
And, Duncan, ye're an unco loun-
Wae on the bad girdin o't!

But, Duncan, gin ye'll keep your aith,
(Ha, ha, the girdin o't!),
I'se bless you wi my hindmost breath,
(Ha, ha, the girdin o't!)
Duncan, gin ye'll keep your aith,
The beast again can bear us baith,
And auld Mess John will mend the skaith,
And clout the bad girdin o't.

@Scottish @love @bastard
tune: Duncan Gray (394)
filename[ DNCNGRAY
TUNE FILE: DNCNGRAY
CLICK TO PLAY
ARB

23 Jan 10 - 05:53 PM (#2819866)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)
From: Jim McLean

The song is called 'Duncan Gray cam here tae woo'. Melody here Duncan grey cam here tae woo

23 Jan 10 - 07:46 PM (#2819943)
Subject: ADD: Piper's Wallet CHRISTMAS WASSAIL SONG
From: GUEST

The Wassail Song that goes with the tune:

Piper's Wallet CHRISTMAS WASSAIL SONG.
Air: Duncen Gray's come here to wed

Hark the kirkbelis cheerlie ring
Christinas tide is comin' O
Let us dance an let us sing,
To tabor, pipe, an drumin' O.
Fill the bowl an then the glass
Wi' lemon punch an brandy O:
Ilka lad maun toast his lass
As sweet as sugar candy O.

A' without is cauld an drear,
Wintry winds are howlin' O
A' within is mirth an cheer:
Dinna then be scwlin' O.
Housewife set the table roun'
Wi' minced pyes sae daintie O
Gather'd friends are joyous foun'
Pour y'er Horn o' Plentie O.

Dance wi' me, my cantie jo,
I'll hae nae denial O,
When Apollo draws the bow
And Venus plays the viol O.
Marie leads the merry dance ,
Her steps all hearts bewitchiu' O,
Terpsichore in ha' shall prance
An Phryne in the kitchen O.

Gaffer tells the wodnous tale
Grannie twines the riddle O;
Mirth an Glee can never fail
When Concord tunes the fiddle O.
Hear the hallow'd waits abroad
Advent carols singing O
A' the choir are on the road
Wi' fife an cymbals ringing O.

Fiercer brens the Christmas fire
Monstrous logs consumin' O
Scotia strikes the Lawlan' lyre,
Hielan' pipes are tunin' O:
Muses nine and Graces three
Smirk their gladden'd faces O,
Momus leads Euphrosyne
To waltz, wi' fond embraces O.

Diogenes then seek y'er tub,
Awa dull Care an Sorrow O,
Or Poll shall gio ye sic a drub
As ye maun feel the morrow O.
Thistle, Shamrok, Leak, an Rose,
Join beneath the Holly O;
The Missle bough its shade bestows
Above the Wassail jolly O.

Greasy Joan noo keels the pot,
While crabs in pan are hissin' O
The tawsie maunna be forgot,
An then we'll a' be kissin O.
Bella squeeze the purplin' bunch,
Silenus decks his waggon O:
Judie noo maks love to Punch,
While Bacchus drains the flaggon O.

Quips an jokes wi' dimpled smiles
Settle last years quarrels O,
Casting glaiks the time beguiles
While Jeanie taps the barrels O.
Games o' " Thread my needle Nan
An " Hunt the Slipper winning O
Please the bairns whas wee bit span
O' life is just beginning O.

The first wha quits the Jovial board
Before we've drunk the cask all O
Like Peter wad deny his Lord,
A lapear'd Heathen rascal O.
We'll nae clap our naightcaps on,
Sae lang as ale is flawin' O,
But will our Christian calling own,
Though fifty Cocks were crowin' O.

CHORUS OF COCKS, DOGS AN CATS.
Cock a doodle do,
Bow wow wow,
Miaw Miaw Miaw
3 times.


-Forster, Ignatius and Robert Norie, The piper's wallet, supplied with the harmony of the muses, in a collection of original songs composed by two literary gentlemen [T.I.M. Forster and R. Norie.].,Thomas Ignatius M. Forster, Robert Norie, 1846, p. 109.


Conrad

23 Jan 10 - 09:06 PM (#2819977)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)
From: Joe Offer

That's a very interesting set of lyrics, Conrad. It's amazing to me that people would have such a knowledge of mythology.

There are a few terms that may or may not be correct, and I wondered if you could check them:

    Duncen Gray
    scwlin' O
    bewitchiu' O,
    wodnous tale
    Or Poll shall gio ye sic a drub

    Games o' " Thread my needle Nan
    An " Hunt the Slipper winning O
    (where do the quotation marks belong?)

Thanks.
-Joe-

23 Jan 10 - 09:19 PM (#2819984)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)
From: *#1 PEASANT*

Thanks Joe- corrections made from original-

Piper's Wallet CHRISTMAS WASSAIL SONG.
Air: Duncen Gray's come here to wed

Hark the kirkbelis cheerlie ring
Christinas tide is comin' O
Let us dance an let us sing,
To tabor, pipe, an drumin' O.
Fill the bowl an then the glass
Wi' lemon punch an brandy O:
Ilka lad maun toast his lass
As sweet as sugar candy O.

A' without is cauld an drear,
Wintry winds are howlin' O
A' within is mirth an cheer:
Dinna then be scowlin' O.
Housewife set the table roun'
Wi' minced pyes sae daintie O
Gather'd friends are joyous foun'
Pour y'er Horn o' Plentie O.

Dance wi' me, my cantie jo,
I'll hae nae denial O,
When Apollo draws the bow
And Venus plays the viol O.
Marie leads the merry dance ,
Her steps all hearts bewitchin' O,
Terpsichore in ha' shall prance
An Phryne in the kitchen O.

Gaffer tells the wodnous tale
Grannie twines the riddle O;
Mirth an Glee can never fail
When Concord tunes the fiddle O.
Hear the hallow'd waits abroad
Advent carols singing O
A' the choir are on the road
Wi' fife an cymbals ringing O.

Fiercer brens the Christmas fire
Monstrous logs consumin' O
Scotia strikes the Lawlan' lyre,
Hielan' pipes are tunin' O:
Muses nine and Graces three
Smirk their gladden'd faces O,
Momus leads Euphrosyne
To waltz, wi' fond embraces O.

Diogenes then seek y'er tub,
Awa dull Care an Sorrow O,
Or Poll shall gie ye sic a drub
As ye maun feel the morrow O.
Thistle, Shamrok, Leak, an Rose,
Join beneath the Holly O;
The Missle bough its shade bestows
Above the Wassail jolly O.

Greasy Joan noo keels the pot,
While crabs in pan are hissin' O
The tawsie maunna be forgot,
An then we'll a' be kissin O.
Bella squeeze the purplin' bunch,
Silenus decks his waggon O:
Judie noo maks love to Punch,
While Bacchus drains the flaggon O.

Quips an jokes wi' dimpled smiles
Settle last years quarrels O,
Casting glaiks the time beguiles
While Jeanie taps the barrels O.
Games o' " Thread my needle Nan
An " Hunt the Slipper winning O
Please the bairns whas wee bit span
O' life is just beginning O.

The first wha quits the Jovial board
Before we've drunk the cask all O
Like Peter wad deny his Lord,
A lapear'd Heathen rascal O.
We'll nae clap our naightcaps on,
Sae lang as ale is flawin' O,
But will our Christian calling own,
Though fifty Cocks were crowin' O.

CHORUS OF COCKS, DOGS AN CATS.
Cock a doodle do,
Bow wow wow,
Miaw Miaw Miaw
3 times.


-Forster, Ignatius and Robert Norie, The piper's wallet, supplied with the harmony of the muses, in a collection of original songs composed by two literary gentlemen [T.I.M. Forster and R. Norie.].,Thomas Ignatius M. Forster, Robert Norie, 1846, p. 109.

23 Jan 10 - 09:29 PM (#2819987)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)
From: Joe Offer

Hi, Conrad -
One other problem was that you had a lot of zeroes instead of the capital letter "O." 0 and O look very much alike, but it can mess up searching-O.

I'm still wondering about the two texts for "Duncan Gray" - can somebody shed some light on that?

-Joe-O-

24 Jan 10 - 08:49 AM (#2820259)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)
From: Jim McLean

Joe, the version in Digitrad is from Johnson's Musical Museum, James C Dick writes ' .. Weary Fa' You Duncan Grey. The Scots Musical Museum, 1788, No. 10, signed 'Z''. Th MS is in the British Museum. "Dr. Blacklock informed me that he had often heard the tradition that this air was composed by a carman in Glasgow' (Interleaved Museum). Founded on an old song, and written for the museum. Burns borrowed the rhythm, and the refrain, 'Ha, ha, the girdin o't .......'
The other version "On blythe Yule-Night when we were fou", according to James C Dick, " ..Thompson's Scottish Airs.., 1798,48. ' Written for this work by Robert Burns. Air, Duncan Gray'. The MS. is in the Thomson collection. Sent to Thomson with his song Auld Rab Morris: 'The foregoing I submit to your better judgment: acquit them or condemn them as seemeth good in your sight. Duncan Gray is that kind of light horse-gallop of an old air which precludes sentiment. The ludicrous is the leading feature". It is an original treatment of the old song, and one of the best-known of Burn's humerous productions'.
Also by James C Dick ' ..Burns does not state that he contributed this song to the Museum, which, in his handwriting, is in the British Museum. It is more decorous than that in the Merry Muses, which doubtless is one of the shebeen kind current in the seventeenth century. A set of the verses is in Herd's MS. They are the model of Burns's Duncan Gray cam here to woo. The tune is in Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, 1751, book iii.

24 Jan 10 - 12:12 PM (#2820379)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Duncan Gray (Robert Burns)
From: *#1 PEASANT*

Thats the new world of ocr and my failing eyes!
A whole new sort of irritating substitution problems and many are not picked up by spell check either.