The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61144   Message #982098
Posted By: Little Robyn
12-Jul-03 - 09:54 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: High lassie high? / Hie, Jeannie, Hie
Subject: Lyr Add: HIE, JEANNIE, HIE
I've found the video of Ray singing it at the Auckland Folk Festival in 2001 but even watching her mouth, I still can't figure out all the words. I checked using the 'Glossary of Scottish words' posted by John in Brisbane in 2000 and that filled in some gaps but there could be some mistakes still.

HIE, JEANNIE, HIE   

1.My faither was a gentleman and a gentleman was he,
But he has wed me tae an old man of 3 score years and 3.
chorus:
And sing hie, Jeannie hie, and sing low, Jeannie low,
Ye can never mak a singin' bird oot o' a hooded crow.

2.For when we gang tae bed at e'en he turns tae the wa'
And ne'er a hand he lays tae me till morning light might daw'.

3.For before I'd hae an old man wi' 30 ploo's and land,
I'd rather hae a young man wi only cap in hand.

4.Now some neighbors they advised me tae droon him in a well,
Some others they advised me for tae grind him in a mill.

5.But I hae ta'en my own advice and borne him tae a plain
And tied him tae a windlestrae, he'll ne'er come back again.

6.For my Faither was a gentleman and a gentleman was he,
But he has wed me tae an old man of 3 score years and 3.

In V5 I thought she said 'whinnal stray' but according to John windlestrae means withered grass so I guess that is it.
Also I'm not sure of V2, the bit about the 30 ploos. Who needs 30 plows for their farm?
Anyway, someone else might have a different version but that's the best my Kiwi ears can do!
Robyn