Edited out old English characters that mudcat does not recognise.


SCOTTISH CHAPBOOKS

Here are two Scottish chapbooks, 1812 and 1812-1820, that contain an extra fifth verse (labelled verse 3) as well as the usual four verses for The Braes of Balquhither. Though the second chapbook version is missing one verse (labelled verse 4):

(verse 3)
While the lads o’ the south,
Toil for bare war’ly treasure.
To the lads o’ the north
Ev’ry day brings its pleasure,
Tho' simple are the joys
The brave highlanders possesses.
Yet he feels no annoys,
For he fears no distresses.

Where did this extra verse originate from?
It exists in the 1812 chapbook version, just two years after Tannahill's death.
Could this have been written by Tannahill, or added by someone else? But why would someone else add a verse, when the rest of the text is unaltered? And within two years of his death.
Is there a definitive source for Tannahill's version written prior to his death to verify this?
Tannahill was not alive to verify his work after 1810.
The other two songs by Tannahill in the chapbook are original text: "The Braes o' Gleniffer" and "Loudon's bonny Woods and Braes".
There is no information on who supplied these versions to the chapbooks.




Scottish Chapbook A

Printed by J. Neilson. PAISLEY 1812.

Mary's Dream.

To which are added,

Mine ain dear Somebody,

The Braes o' Gleniffer.

The Braes of Balquhither.

Loudon's bonny Woods and Braes.

The Di?gui?ed Squire.


"The Braes of Balquhither"

1
Let us go, lassie, go
To the braes of Balquhither,
Where the bale-berries grow
M'ang the bonnie Highland best
Where the deer and the rae,
Lightly bounding together,
Sport I the load summer day
On the braes o Balquhither.

2
I will time the a bow'r
?By the clear siller fountain,
And I'll cover it o’er:
?Wi' the flow'rs o the mountain;
I'll range thro' the wilds,
?And the steep glens ?o dreary,
And return wi' their spoils
?To the bow'r o' my dearie.

3
?While the lads o' the south
?Toil for bare war'ly treasure,
To the lads o' the north
?Ev'ry day brings its pleasure
Tho' simple are the joys
?The brave Highlander possesses,
Yet he feels no annoys.
?For he fears no distresses:

4
When the rude wintry win'
?Idly raves round his dwelling,
And the roar of the linn,
?On the night breeze is swelling
Then so merrily he'll sing,
?As the storm rattles o'er him,
To the dear shieling ring,
?Wi' the light lifting jorum.

5
Now the summer is in prime,
?Wi' the flow'rs richly blooming,
And the wild mountain thyme
?A' the moorlands perfuming;
To our dear native scenes
?Let us journey together,
Where glad Innocence reigns,
?'Mang the brace o' Balquhither


Scottish Chapbook B

Printed by WILLIAM SCOTT. GREENOCK 1812-1820

The Blythsome Bridal.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

THE BRAES O' BALQUHITHER

AND

THE THIRSTY LOVER.


"THE BRAES O' BALQUHITHER."

1
LET us go Lassie go,
?To the braes o’ Balquhither ;
Where the blae-berries grow,
?’Mang the bonnie highland heather,
Where the deer and the Rae
?Lightly bounding together.
Sport the lang simmer day,
?On the braes o’ Balquhither,

2
I will twine thee a bow'r
?By the clear siller fountain.
And I'll cover it o’er
?Wi’ the flow’rs o’ the mountain,
I'll range thro’ the wilds,
?And the steep glens sae dreary
And return wi’ their spoils,
?To the Bow’r o’ my dearie.

3
While the lads o’ the south,
Toil for bare war’ly treasure.
?To the lads o’ the north
?Ev’ry day brings its pleasure,
Tho' simple are the joys
?The brave highlanders possesses.
Yet he feels no annoys,
?For he fears no distresses.

5
Now the simmer is in prime,
?Wi’ the flow’rs richly blooming ;
And the wild mountain thyme,
?A’ the moorlands perfuming,
To our dear native scenes.
?Let us journey together,
Where glad innocence reigns
?’Mang the braes o’ Balquhither





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