The MacColl version varies considerably, albeit in minor textual respects. The third line of the chorus [the most 'high-kilted' aspect] changes on each occasion in this version:

THE WIND BLEW THE BONNIE LASSIE'S PLAIDIE AWA'

There was a bonnie lassie, and she cam' in frae Crieff
She fell in wi' a butcher's lad when he was selling beef,
He gied to her a middle cut and doon she did fa'
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'

Chorus:
The wind blaws east, the wind blaws west
The wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa',
The beef was in her basket, and she couldna rise ava
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'.

The plaidie it was lost and it couldna be found,
The lassie and the butcher lad were lyin' on the ground,
'Oh, what will I tell to the old folks ava?
For I canna say the wind blew my plaidie awa'"

Chorus:
The wind blaws east, the wind blaws west
The wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa',
He's gi'en to her good measure o' the beef and banes and a'
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'

Twa-three months after the plaidie it was lost
The lassie she began to swell about the waist,
And Rab he was blamed for the hale o't a'
And the wind blawin' the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'

Chorus:
The wind blaws east, the wind blaws west
The wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa',
The lassie said, 'Your butcher beef is owre tough to chaw'
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'


Then in cam' the auld wife, the laddie to accuse
The ministers and elders began to abuse
The butcher lad for tryin' to mak yin into twa
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'

Chorus:
The wind blaws east, the wind blaws west
The wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa',
The beef was in her basket and she couldna rise ava'
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'

For the lassie she was sent for to come there hersel'
She looked at the butcher lad, 'Ye ken how I fell,
The beef was the cause o't, ye daurna say na'
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'.

Chorus:
The wind blaws east, the wind blaws west
The wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa',
We baith fell to admirin' for the beef it was sae braw
And the wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa'

Rab looked at the lassie and he gied a wee smile,
'Ye ken, bonnie lassie, I winna ye beguile
The minister is here and he'll mak' ane o' us twa,
That'll pay for the plaid that the wind blew awa'.

Chorus:
The wind blaws east, the wind blaws west
The wind blew the bonnie lassie's plaidie awa',
And we shall hae the middle cut, it's tenderest o' a'
And we'll drink to the wind that blew your plaidie awa'

Source: transcription in booklet accompanying Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger 'The Wanton Muse' Argo LP ZDA 85. It is also printed with music at page 100 of 'The Singing Island' [See Malcolm's reference above]. From the singing of Hughie Graeme, Galloway singer.

MacColl's full note:


Robert Ford printed a version of this spirited song in 'Vagabond Songs and Ballads' and, in a note, writes: 'My friend, Mr D. Kippen of Crieff, has it that the song was composed by an Irishman who lived in Crieff near to the cross in the early years of the present century (early 1800s) and who was known by the name of Blind Bob'. Ford describes the version in his book as 'a little high-kilted', though 'by no means rudely indelicate'. In actual fact, the kilt stops short of the ankle and only the most bigoted Presbyterian might be expected to register shock at the sight of a mere inch or two of bare leg. Our version, on the other hand, has abandoned the kilt completely and goes tripping by with bare hurdles, unabashed and unrepentent.


--Stewie.