The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #131146   Message #2956042
Posted By: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
01-Aug-10 - 06:00 AM
Thread Name: Folklore: Loaf Mass
Subject: Lyr Add: CORN RIGS AN' BARLEY RIGS (Robert Burns)
Repost here if you like.

'Corn Rigs' - Paul Giovanni's setting of Burn's 'The Rigs O' Barley' from the Wicker Man film soundtrack - is rather fitting today, though I note Giovanni omits Burn's last verse:

It was upon a Lammas night..

It was upon a Lammas night,
When corn rigs are bonie,
Beneath the moon's unclouded light,
I held awa' to Annie;
The time flew by, wi' tentless heed;
Till, 'tween the late and early,
Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed
To see me thro' the barley.

Chorus:
Corn rigs, an' barley rigs,
An' corn rigs are bonie;
I'll ne'er forget that happy night,
Among the rigs wi' Annie.

The sky was blue, the wind was still,
The moon was shining clearly;
I set her down, wi' right good will,
Amang the rigs o' barley:
I ken't her heart was a' my ain;
I lov'd her most sincerely;
I kiss'd her owre and owre again,
Amang the rigs o' barley.

I lock'd her in my fond embrace;
Her heart was beating rarely:
My blessings on that happy place,
Amang the rigs o' barley!
But by the moon and stars so bright,
That shone that hour so clearly!
She ay shall bless that happy night
Amang the rigs o' barley.

I hae been blythe wi' comrades dear;
I hae been merry drinking;
I hae been joyfu' gath'rin' gear;
I hae been happy thinking:
But a' the pleasures e'er I saw,
Tho' three times doubl'd fairly ---
That happy night was worth them a',
Amang the rigs o' barley.