Lyr Req: Bonnie Border Lass (Archie Fisher)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonnie Border Lass (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 01:08 AM

I'm a Mainer as well, Guest, Lefty. If you were to join Mudcat (free and easy with this link) I could send you a PM/Private Message to let you know when Archie plans to come here for a house concert.

Have fun with "Bonnie Border Lass".

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonnie Border Lass (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,Lefty
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 10:45 PM

Thanks so much, Maeve and Peregrina- I think it's just about perfect! I'm clear across the country from California, in Maine, but I saw he'll be in Massachusetts next April, so I might be able to make it down. I had the enormous pleasure to see him this past winter here in Maine and meet him after the show, but I didn't ask about the lyrics- I did ask what tuning he used though, and for this one he said open G. Unfortunately for me when I'm in an open tuning I'm pretty much stuck in that key, and the song's in D...

Thanks again!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonnie Border Lass (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 06:13 PM

Yes, thank you! I can hear the 'v' but couldn't quite pull out the word. I'm sure there are other little inaccuracies, but this gives our guest a reasonable start.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonnie Border Lass (Archie Fisher)
From: peregrina
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 06:04 PM

verse three:
'dreams of vanities' ?

Subject: Lyr Add: BONNIE BORDER LASS (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 07:42 AM

Here's my best shot at Archie's lyrics. I've used parenthesis to indicate a guess for the word I can't catch and can't remember. I'll try to remember to ask him about it. If you are in California you might ask him yourself since he'll touring there in November.

***************************************************
Bonnie Border Lass by Archie Fisher "Windward Away" is available here:

I've watched and waited by the door, o' monys the village hall
To see you swirl across the floor, while I stood next the wall,
No great Scots Grey* nor grenadier* in courage could surpass
Asking o' a dance to steer wi' my bonnie border lass

Though fleet of foot, all partners part. Our time is fleeter still
Through the years you've danced your heart,in a Lancers* o'love's will
The fairest flower will fade until she shuns the looking glass
But I hold the scented petals still, for my bonnie border lass

I ken not whar you rest your head at the dying o' the day
In humble cot or feather bed, or deep below the clay
I only know although my dreams of (warmer) days have passed
That the face that through the firelight gleams is my bonnie border lass

In that bright land beyond life's shore where time has ceased to be
And lovers share forevermore each other's company
I'll search amidst the throng for you and when I hold you fast
Then I will sing this song for you, my bonnie border lass
Until that day I'll long for you, my bonnie border lass

*Scots Grey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Scots_Greys
*grenadier= I assume he's referring to the horse grenadiers
*a Lancers = a Quadrille
~~Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Archie Fisher- Bonnie Border Lass
From: maeve
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 08:59 PM

Guest, Lefty- I'll give you a hand with this tomorrow.

Maeve

Subject: Lyr Req: Archie Fisher- Bonnie Border Lass
From: GUEST,Lefty
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 12:51 AM

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if someone with a bit of a better ear for Scottish accents could help me on Archie Fisher's Bonnie Border Lass from Windward Away? I've managed to work out most of the lyrics, but a few little parts are giving me trouble:

~~
I watched and waited by the door, of many's the village hall
To see you swirl across the floor, while I stood next the wall,
No great Scots grey nor grenadier in courage could surpass
My (?       ?       ?) wi' my bonnie border lass

Though fleet of foot all partners part, (?)
Through the years you've danced your heart, (? love's will?)
The fairest flower will fade until she shuns the looking glass
But I hold the scented petals still, of my bonnie border lass

I ken not (where?) you rest your head at the dying of the day
Humble cot or feather bed, or deep below the clay
I only know though my dreams of (?   ?) have passed
That the face that through the firelight gleams is my bonnie border lass

And that bright land beyond light shore where time has ceased to be
And lovers share forevermore each other's company
I'll search amidst the throng for you and when I hold you fast
Then I will sing this song for you, my bonnie border lass
Until that day I long for you, my bonnie border lass
~~

Thanks for any help! Not that I'll ever be able to play like Archie, but it might be fun to sing walking through the woods.