Notes from Alastair Brown's version on his CD "Swan Necked Valve"

Cairnomount Words: Alexander Balfour. Tune: Tony Cuffe

Cairnomount was originally published in the early 1800s as Donald, a Ballad by Alexander Balfour. It follows the classic broken token plot (minus the token). A lover returns in disguise to test his sweetheart's fidelity. He hints that she might as well transfer her affections to him, for her absent Donald is busy wrapping other women in his plaidie. She doesn't fall for this ruse and on learning his true identity, falls into his arms instead. She'd have been better off slugging him for playing such a dirty trick.