The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #12265   Message #95740
Posted By: Murray on Salt Spring
16-Jul-99 - 02:34 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Maggie Lauder
Subject: Lyr Add: MAGGIE LAUDER
Sorry, but I've taken the liberty of correcting the typos etc. in the text above; this is mainly as per the Scots Musical Museum, no. 544 (p. 562).

Wha wadna be in love
. Wi' bonnie Maggie Lauder?
A piper met her gaun to Fife,
And spier'd what was't they ca'd her;
Right scornfully she answer'd him,
Began you hallanshaker,
Jog on your gate, ye bladderskate,
My name is Maggie Lauder.

Maggie, quo' he, and by my bags
I'm fidgin' fain to see thee;
Sit down by me, my bonnie bird,
In troth I winna steer thee:
For I'm a piper to my trade,
My name is Rob the Ranter;
The lasses loup as they were daft,
When I blaw up my chanter.

Piper, quo Meg, hae ye your bags,
Or is your drone in order?
If ye be Rob, I've heard of you,
Live ye upon the border?
The lasses a', baith far and near
Hae heard o' Rob the Ranter;
I'll shak my foot wi' right good will,
Gif ye'll blaw up your chanter.

Then to his bags he flew wi' speed,
About the drone he twisted;
Meg up and walloped o'er the green,
For brawly could she frisk it.
Weel done, quo' he: Play up, quo' she:
Weel bobb'd, quo Rob the Ranter;
'Tis worth my while to play, indeed,
When I hae sic a dancer.

Weel hae you play'd your part, quo' Meg,
Your cheeks are like the crimson;
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel,
Sin' we lost Habby Simson.
I've live'd in Fife, baith maid and wife,
These ten years and a quarter;
Gin ye should come to Anster fair,
Spier ye for Maggie Lauder.

Does anyone need words glossed here? Like "Gif", = if, for instance. Cheers Murray