The Robert Burns song My bonie (sic) Mary/Silver Tassie was printed in Johnson’s Scots Musical Museum in 1788 to a melody by James Oswald called Sweetest Kiss. It has become popular sung to a different melody printed by Ewan MacColl in his book of Scottish songs printed in 1953 which most folkies think is the original tune.
There are only a handful of folk who have recorded the original melody including my arrangement for Nigel Denver in 1968.
My question is does anyone know of an earlier recording, pre 1968, of the song to its original melody or earlier printed sheet music pre MacColl’s 1953?
There are a few titles used..Silver Tassie, A Pint of Wine, Go Bring to me…..
I have asked the expert on Irish music AND Sean O’Casey John Moulden for help.