I'm preparing a transcription of the Mike Cross recording of "The Scotsman" for the upcoming Rise Again Songbook. I'm having trouble with one line in the second-last verse, the "bonnie star" line.

One Mudcatter posted: Around the bonnie spar that the Scot's lifted kilt did show. That makes more sense, but that's not what Mike Cross sings.

What I think I hear is : Around the bonnie star of the Scots's kilt, lift and show. But that doesn't make sense, either; so I left what we had.

Take a listen, if you could. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-IR1fPQaNs

Does anyone have a copy of Hal Leonard's New Folk Favorites that you could check the song there?



THE SCOTSMAN
(Mike Cross)


A Scotsman clad in kilt left a bar one evening fair
And one could tell by how he walked, he'd drunk more than his share
He stumbled on until he could no longer keep his feet
Then he staggered off into the grass to sleep beside the street
Ring ding deedle deedle di de oh, ring di deedle o dee
He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street

Later on, 2 young & lovely girls just happened by
And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye
You see yon sleeping Scotsman, so strong & handsome built?
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath the kilt
Ring…dil / I wonder...

They creeped up to the sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be
Lifted up his kilt above the waist so they could see
And there, behold, for them to view, beneath his Scottish skirt
Was nothing but what God had graced him with upon his birth
Ring…dir / Was nothing...

They marveled for a moment, then one said we'd best be gone
But let's leave a present for our friend, before we move along
So as a gift they left a blue silk ribbon, tied into a bow
Around the bonnie star, the Scot's kilt did lift and show
Ring…dow / Around...

The Scotsman woke to nature's call & stumbled toward the trees
Behind a bush, he lifts his kilt & he gawks at what he sees
Then in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes
My friend, I don't know where you've been but I see you won 1st prize!
Ring…di /

w & m: Benjamin Michael Cross a/k/a Mike Cross
© 1979 Vic-Ray Publishing (ASCAP), 203 SW 3rd Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601-6519. On his Live & Kickin', Folk Sing Along S & Best of the Funny Stuff. In New Folk Favorites.