Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad that Handles the Ploo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 11:31 AM

http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bandprofile.songLyrics&friendid=65282006&songid=90057993

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 12:46 PM

Greig-Duncan (No.449) has 5 texts with tunes (1 with 2 verses only, 1 with chorus only, 1 with 1 verse and the chorus) plus a further 5 texts only (1 with only an incomplete verse, 1 with 2 verses only, the others with 3, 4 and 6 verses plus chorus). (Chorus is the 1st four lines listed above, as mentioned by Malcolm).

In addition to the trades above (tailor, mason, smith, wright) the various versions include verses for teacher, souter, miller and joiner.

When I've a bit more time I'll post some of the texts and tunes.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 02:22 AM

It appears to be the set printed in Ord, Bothy Songs and Ballads, 1930, 81: 'The Bonnie Lad that Handles the Plough'. Some spellings have been altered, so perhaps it was learned from Ewan MacColl's re-printing of it in Scotland Sings. Ord didn't mention where he got it, but noted 'The first four lines are always repeated at the end of each verse as a chorus.'

It was in Jimmy MacBeath's repertoire, and there are several versions in The Greig-Duncan Collection III, but I don't have that volume.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BONNIE LAD THAT HANDLES THE PLOO
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 06:25 PM

She gives the lyrics on site as:
THE BONNIE LAD THAT HANDLES THE PLOO (trad)

Success, aye, and flourish tae a barley riggs
A health untae the fairmer, likewise until his lads
Wishing them tae prosper by the handling o the ploo
An the kissin o a bonnie lass when there's naethin else tae do

The tailor he's a laddie that sews at a cloot
He'll tak an auld coat an he'll turn it inside oot
He'll turn it inside oot an he'll mak it look like new
But he's faur frae like the bonnie lad that handles the ploo

The mason he's a laddie that's prood o his post
An t'were na for the mason we wid a dee wae frost
But he like a the rest wid hae little for tae do
An t'were na for the bonnie lad that handles the ploo

The smith he's a laddie that's a o'er wae brook
But when he sees a bonnie lass, sae blythesome does he look
He kisses her an claps her an ca's her his doo
But he's faur frae like the bonnie lad that handles the ploo

The souter he's a laddie that works wae an awl
An t'were na for the souter we wid a dee wae caul
But the souter like the rest wid hae naethin for tae do
An t'were na for the bonnie lad that handles the ploo

The wricht he's a laddie that handles the plane
An t'were na for the wricht we wid a dee wae rain
But he like a the rest wid hae naethin for tae do
An t'were na for the bonnie lad that handles the ploo

Success, aye, and flourish tae a barley riggs
A health untae the fairmer, likewise until his lads
Wishing them tae prosper by the handling o the ploo
An the kissin o a bonnie lass when there's naethin else tae do

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad
From: GUEST,isabel
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 12:44 PM

This is the only version I've heard, but I can't quite make all of the words:

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 12:24 PM

Is it this one?

thread.cfm?threadid=45742#677014

Subject: Lyr Req: The Bonnie Lad
From: GUEST,isabel
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 11:50 AM

Looking for the words to the traditional "The Bonnie Lad"