To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=12843
11 messages

Lyr Req: Bleacher Lass o' Kelvinhaugh (Spinners)

07 Aug 99 - 02:54 PM (#103023)
Subject: Lyrics anyone?
From: Joec58

I found this song on an album borrowed from a friend and loved it,really.The album was called An Hour With The Spinners In Concert. It was a traditional arrangement by the Spinners from the mid seventies.I can suss out most of it but some phrases are obviously proper names(places) and it be-fuddles me. OK,please! If anyone at all can help to fill in my word gaps,it would really help! I am determined to learn and play this song 'cos it is so good. Joe.

07 Aug 99 - 05:43 PM (#103046)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BLEACHER LASSIE O' KELVIN HA'
From: bigJ

I suspect that the Spinners' song came from a version recorded by Isobel Sutherland on a 10" LP a long time ago, when I get the chance I'll compare the two, but in the meantime here's the tenth version of 16 published in Vol 5 of The Greig-Duncan Folksong Collection.

THE BLEACHER LASSIE O' KELVIN HA'

As I went out one summer's evening,
As I went out by the Broomielaw,
'Twas there I saw a charming creature
She had cheeks like roses and skin like snaw.

I said, Fair maid, where are you going?
Or what do you do by the Broomielaw?
Indeed kind sir, I will plainly tell you,
I'm a bleacher lassie on Kelvinha'

O lassie. lassie, do you remember
On the ships that sailed by the Broomielaw
And the sailor laddies that a' gaed a-courtin'
The bleacher lassies on Kelvinha'

O yes, O yes, I do remember
On the ships that sailed by the Broomielaw
And the sailor laddies that a' got tipsy
For the bleacher lassies on Kelvinha'

O lassie, lassie, would ye go wi' me,
And I will busk ye in fine satin braw?
Indeed, kind sir, I will plainly tell you
I've a lad o' my ain but he's far awa'

'Tis seven long years since he went and left me,
It's seven long years since he went awa'
But another seven I'll wait upon him
And bleach a while on sweet Kelvinha'

O Lassie, lassie, ye are hard-hearted,
I wish your fair face I never saw,
For my heart, my heart, it lies a-bleeding,
For the bleacher lassie on Kelvinha'

So they've gone down to yonder tavern,
And they've drunk whisky a glass or twa
And they've drunk whisky till they've got tipsy,
And there he's wiled her poor heart awa'

And now this couple they've got married,
And keep an ale-house atween them twa,
And the sailor laddies they a' go a-drinking
For the bleacher lassies on Kelvinha'

(for some reason I feel that there should be a hint of a broken token somewhere but I can't find it at present) Source for this version was Miss Barbara Ingram.

In version M there's a verse 6 that goes:-

O lassie, lassie, Ye hae been faithful,
And thought on me when far awa'
True love will surely be rewarded,
We'll part nae mair on sweet Kelvinhaugh.
^^

08 Aug 99 - 05:51 AM (#103114)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Spinners- Bleacher Lass O'Kelvinhau
From: Ewan McVicar

Some singers say that the happy ending verses are a modern tacked -on weakening of the song.
Don't sing them if you don't want to.

14 Aug 99 - 01:56 PM (#105041)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Spinners- Bleacher Lass O'Kelvinhau
From: Joec58

Apart from coming up with exactly what I asked for,I am secretly impressed at the response and I thank you gratefully!-Astonished at the knowledge of 'trad folk' about this site.Thankyou again! Joe.

14 Aug 99 - 09:51 PM (#105112)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Spinners- Bleacher Lass O'Kelvinhau
From: Susan A-R

Reminds me of a song I shamelessly taped off the radio once, hence don't know the title, about a man who meets a maid a bleachin her claiths by the brays of Sttrath Blaine (sp??) Interesting story/song about playing hard to get. He asks her to marry him. She hems and haws about being too young, says no, then says yes, and he says, hmmm, I've re-thought this. Anyone have an idea who recorded this one??I recall enjoying the tune to it as well.

Susan

06 Oct 99 - 02:53 PM (#121381)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Spinners- Bleacher Lass O'Kelvinhau
From: Joec58

To Sue A-R! Could be some connection Sue.However,I will be at Tanners this October(all being well) and I'll be doing this song (by the Spinners)anyway,plus a few more if they let me-hehe!

06 Oct 99 - 03:05 PM (#121388)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Spinners- Bleacher Lass O'Kelvinhau
From: Malcolm Douglas

Susan

"The Braes o' Strathblane": recorded by Ossian on "St. Kilda Wedding", and no doubt by others too.

Malcolm

10 Oct 99 - 01:46 PM (#122491)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Spinners- Bleacher Lass O'Kelvinhau
From: polesden

and a very ggod job you made of it too, I was there.

13 Mar 08 - 12:42 AM (#2287103)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bleacher Lass o' Kelvinhaugh (Spinners)
From: GUEST,Luc

Wow...an almost 10 years old topic..!!!

Does anyone have the exact lyrics of the song "The Braes o' Strathblane": recorded by Ossian on "St. Kilda Wedding" ???

                                       Thanks!!!!

13 Mar 08 - 12:58 AM (#2287107)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bleacher Lass o' Kelvinhaugh (Spinners)
From: GUEST,luc

...a few minutes later...I finally found what I was lookin' for on this forum :)

02 May 16 - 01:56 PM (#3788285)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bleacher Lass o' Kelvinhaugh (Spinners)
From: GUEST,John mcintyre

I heard this on a cassette from a charity shop! Thought it might work as a duet