Lyr Add: Bonnie Strathyre

06 Jan 00 - 12:21 AM (#158851)
Subject: Lyr Add: BONNIE STRATHYRE
From: John in Brisbane

I haven't got around to sequencing the tune yet, but here are the lyrics. Score is in Songs of the North Vol 1. Regards, John

Bonnie Strathyre

There's meadows in Lanark and mountains in Skye,
And pastures in Hielands and Lowlands forbye;
But there's nae greater luck that the heart could desire
Than to herd the fine cattle in bonnie Strathyre.

2. O' it's up in the morn and awa' to the hill,
When the lang simmer days are sae warm and sae still,
Till the peak O' Ben Voirlich is girdled wi' fire,
And the evenin' fa's gently on bonnie Strathyre.

3. Then there's mirth in the sheiling and love in my breast,
When the sun is gane doun and the kye are at rest;
For there's mony a prince wad be proud to aspire
To my winsome wee Maggie, the pride O' Strathyre.

4. Her lips are like rowans in ripe simmer seen,
And mild as the starlicht the glint o' her e'en;
Far sweeter her breath than the scent o' the briar,
And her voice is sweet music in bonnie Strathyre.

5. Set Flora by Colin, and Maggie by me,
And we'll dance to the pipes swellin' loudly and free,
Till the moon in the heavens climbing higher and higher
Bids us sleep on fresh brackens in bonnie Strathyre.

6. Though some in the touns o' the Lowlands seek fame,
And some will gang sodgerin' far from their hame;
Yet I'll aye herd my cattle, and bigg my ain byre,
And love my ain Maggie in bonnie Strathyre.

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06 Jan 00 - 01:01 AM (#158859)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Bonnie Strathyre
From: Murray on Saltspring

Note that the words are by Harold Boulton, the tune "adapted" from the old air "Taymouth" by Malcolm Lawson. The tune has an A and a B part, covering what JiB makes 2 stanzas. His 6 is not quite as it is in the book, which has:
"Though some to gay touns in the Lawlands will roam,
And some will gang sodgerin' far from their home,"
which I must say doesn't sound as ethnic as John's words [pronunciation-wise, a Scot will naturally say "hame"].

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