The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #6980   Message #41417
Posted By: Jennifer Burdoo
12-Oct-98 - 09:42 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Up an' Waur Them A', Willie
Subject: RE: Hunting for Up an' Waur 'em, a', Willie
WarnWili looks closer to the Battlefield Band version (I do recognize parts of some verses), but still seems somewhat disorganized and certainly difficult to sing as shown. Major differences include the fact that "Willie" (or "Laddie," or whatever the protagonist) is inserted in the middle of the verses, at the end of every other line:

When we gaed to the braes o' Mar, And to the wapon-shaw, Willie, Wi' true design to serve the king And banish whigs awa, Willie.

The "Willies" in the 2nd and 4th lines are not present in the verses as presented by Battlefield Band, and the tune used doesn't seem to allow for them either. In addition, the chorus should look something like my admittedly bad transcription below. (I'm a Yiddish-American with bad hearing).

Up an' waur 'em, a', Willie, Up an' waur 'em a', Up an' sell your sour milk(?) And dance and ding(?) them a'

BTW, anyone know what the heck this chorus is supposed to mean? What does milk have to do with a rebellion?

Thanks, Jennifer