The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #17312   Message #166968
Posted By: Malcolm Douglas
22-Jan-00 - 09:21 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Braes o' Strathblane / Strawblane
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BRAES O' STRATHBLANE
And here is the song as recorded by Ossian (Iona Records; IRCD001.)  Any mistakes in the transcription are mine.

The Braes O' Strathblane

As I was a-walking one morning in May
Down by yon green meadows I careless did stray;
I spied a young lass, she was standing alane
A-bleaching her claes on the braes o' Strathblane.

I steppèd up tae her as I seemed tae pass:
"Ye're bleaching yer claes here, my bonny young lass;
It's twelve months and mair since I've had in my mind
And its a' tae be married if you are inclined."

"Tae marry, tae marry, I'm sure I'm too young
And all ye young lads hae a flattering tongue;
My faither and mother displeasèd would be
Gin I were tae wed wi' a rover like thee."

"But lassie, oh lassie, how can ye say so
For ye ken all the pain which I undergo;
Consent, my dear lassie, tae be a' my ain
And happy we'll live here on the braes o' Strathblane."

But, "Tempt me nae longer", this lassie did say
For ye'll dae yersel' better to gang on your way;
Far better for me tae bide here alane
Than wi' you spend my days here on the braes o' Strathblane.

So I turnèd around then wi' a tear in my ee
Saying, "I wish ye a guid man, whaure'er he may be;
I wish ye a guid man as we're here alane
And I'll court wi' another on the braes o' Strathblane."

"But wait", cried this lassie, "for ye've fair won my hairt;
Here is my hand, and we never shall pairt.
We never shall part till the day that we dee
And may a' good attend us whaure'er we may be."

"But noo ye've consented, oh it's fair out o' time;
Ilka word that you've spoken, I've changèd my mind
For the clouds they look heavy, I'm afeared we'll have rain."
And we shook hands and parted on the Braes o' Strathblane.

Malcolm