Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)

Subject: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 04:05 PM

Please does anybody have the full lyrics of Romeo and Juliet by Adam Mc Naughtan. I am not quick enough to hear them and transcribe and laugh at the same time. I have worn out several batteries on my recording machine trying. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 05:40 PM

Is that the title of the song? Reason I ask is that his Hamlet is entitled "Oor Hamlet" and his Macbeth is entitled "The Scottish Song".

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 07:47 PM

Yeah, you'd think it would be, "Oor Romeo," or "Oor Verona."

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 13 - 05:11 PM

There's mayhem goon on at the toon o' Verona, a city in Italy torn by the ?
an' Capulet, montague wid stick one on tae you simply fir saying the other sides name.

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 12:17 AM

Oh, we have to find this one. Can anybody help?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 03 Feb 13 - 05:53 PM

A plea to Mr. McNaughtan via his friends who visit this site might help. The whole song is so brilliant that it would be a great loss to future generations if it was not recorded on paper or C.D . However it may be Mr. McNaughtan's wish not to save this masterpiece for posterity. His renditions are truly marvelous, in the form of a patter song at high speed in Scots and so would be difficult to copy. I wish I had known it when I studied Shakespeare at school.

Subject: Lyr Add: ROMEO AND JULIET (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GUEST,Guest, Adam McNaughtan
Date: 10 Feb 13 - 10:10 AM

ROMEO AND JULIET
(Adam McNaughtan)

CHORUS
Oh Montagu Montagu Montagu!
Oh Capulet Capulet Capulet!
Oh Montagu Montagu Montagu!
Capulet Capulet Capulet! – Montagu!

There's mayhem gaun oan in the toon o' Verona,
A city in Italy torn by dissension.
Capulet, Montagu, would stick wan on to you,
Simply for sayin' the ither side's name.
The Prince o' Verona said: "Jista haud oan"
And he called to the hall the two chiefs in contention.
"Any mair knives and you'll forfeit your lives
And I'll no bother askin' whit side was to blame.
A Montagu, Romeo, was sad and gloomy
Because Rosaline had declined his attention.
His pals said, "Forget her. We'll find somethin' better,
We'll go to the ball in auld Capulet's hame."

CHORUS

Though they hudnae been asked, still they pit oan their masks
An' away to the ball in the hall they went dancin'.
Romeo chasséd up tae Cap'let's lassie,
A girl o' sixteen but quite big for her size.
Her faither had planned it so she'd gie her hand
To the young County Paris, her fortune enhancin'.
But naeb'dy had taught her to recognise patter;
So Romeo's kiss took her quite by surprise.
That night he'd a gander up at her verandah
And then spent the time in the moonlight romancin'.
"I'll be your dame," she says. "Whit's in a name?
But we'd better get wed afore Faither gets wise."

CHORUS

Wi' the nurse and the friar these two did conspire
Right away, the next day, to get wed oan the quiet.
Says Romeo, "Right! Tonight is the night.
Jist lower the ladder. That's a' that I'll need."
But Tybalt, her cousin, was fizzin' and buzzin',
An' roamin' the streets lookin' oot for a riot;
Pushin Mercutio, stertit a stooshie
That came to an end wi' the baith o' them deid.
Since Romeo had struck Tybalt's death-blow
He knew frae Verona he'd soon have to sky it.
To hing oot in Mantua, that was his plan,
Wi' the Friar sendin' news to keep him up to speed.

CHORUS

So Juliet's left; o' her husband bereft;
She decides to abide whit awaits her wi' patience.
But she was embarrassed when her da said Paris
Would wed her on Thursday and no be denied.
Weepin' fresh torrents, she ran to Friar Lawrence,
Who thought up a plot to hoodwink her relations.
He'd gie her a potion to still a' her motion
An' they'd haud her funeral, thinkin' she'd died.
But Lawrence's note tellin' Romeo the plot
Didnae get brought to its due destination.
Romeo insteid heard that Juliet was deid
An' he rushed to the tomb jist to be by her side.

CHORUS

But ootside the vault he was called to a halt
By Paris, who'd barras o' flooers for strewin'.
Paris, he drew; Romeo ran him through,
And the County was left lyin' deid in his gore.
Romeo quaffed an apothec'ry's draught
An' he died by the side o'the bride he'd been wooin'.
Juliet recovered an' saw her deid lover
An' took her ain life wi' the dagger he wore.
Lawrence the Friar told whit had transpired
An' the Prince summont Capulet an' Montagu in.
They said "We're sorry.".-- End of the story!
We'll finish by singin' the chorus once more:

Oh Montagu Montagu Montagu!
Oh Capulet Capulet Capulet!
Oh Montagu Montagu Montagu!
Capulet Capulet Capulet! – Montagu!


A plea for these words was conveyed to me by one of my friends.
For a long time before I wrote the song, I'd been introducing "Oor Hamlet" by saying I intended to write a version of R & J with the audience divided into Montagus and Capulets competing in the chorus. Eventually, Marie-Therese Allison, wife of another member of Stramash, who had been attending a self-assertion course, asserted herself and told me to stop messing about and write the song. It first appeared in print on the cover of my quarterly catalogue of second-hand books in Spring 2004. This is only the second time I have typed it out and I am not surprised to find that singing has altered the text in several places.
One comment on pronunciation: Glaswegians pronounce the word "ball" when applied to the spherical object for kicking, as "baw" (usually written "ba'". When referring to a grand dance, most of us would pronounce it as in Standard English. So I have spelled it "ball" in this song and, for the sake of the rhymes, have spelled "hall" to match. The same applies to "called" when it appears between "vault" and "halt". Glaswegian singers may, of course, continue to pronounce them a' the other way.

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Feb 13 - 10:32 AM

Lang may yoor lum reek, Adam. Back when I was teaching Hamlet to a senior English class I spent considerable time tracking down 'Our Hamlet' for the students and they loved it. (That was in Canada.) I think Seamus Kennedy finally came up with the lyrics for me. Keep well and thank you for taking the time to enlighten us.

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 10 Feb 13 - 02:00 PM

what tune?

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST,guest, Adam McNaughtan
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 05:39 AM

The tune is an adaptation of the pipe jig "The Athol Highlanders", with the chorus taking part one of the tune. That's why the first three lines of the chorus begin with "Oh", and the fourth line confuses the chorus singers by not having an "Oh". In my childhood the family tradition whenever this tune was played, as march or jig, was for us to sing along:
Oh, oranges, oranges, oranges,
Oh, oranges, oranges, oranges,
Oh, oranges, oranges, oranges,
Oranges, oranges, oranges, oranges.

Oranges, oranges, oranges, oranges,
Oranges....etc
through all four parts of the tune.

Why we sang it, or how old the tradition was, I don't know, but we always ended up smiling.

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 06:46 PM

Thank you Adam, for this gem, from one of the many the many who have enjoyed your singing of it but have failed to remember many of the lines. Any chance of a new C.D. with this as one of the tracks?

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 07:32 PM

Thanks SOOO much for posting the words, Adam. I have been one of the audience screaming either Montague or Capulet on a number of occasions! Must admit I even sang the chorus in Verona when visiting the alleged balcony!
And it's a great tune - in 4 parts, so the chorus is one part and the verse the other 3, I think? It always gets people going in a ceilidh dance!
I seem to remember the oranges bit being taught to help people know what 6/8 jig rhythm was, and there's something else involving other fruits or vegetables for other rhythms such as strathspey or march.

Subject: RE: Lyrics req. Romeo and Juliet by Adam McN
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 06:16 PM

Thank you, Adam. I was given this one by our mutual friend Ed Miller, and I believe it'll go over well at my school gigs, particularly with High School English classes, along with Oor Hamlet and the Scottish Song. Hope to meet you when I'm in Glasgow.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 01:59 AM

Thank you, Adam - I'm assuming you call the song simply "Romeo and Juliet," so I added that title in our standard format. Please correct me if that's not the title.

So, now can you do something with Macbeth?

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Archivist-

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GUEST,Guest (Bob Blair)
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 03:11 AM

Adam is is hospital at the moment so he is unable to reply but the good news is that, although the operation he underwent was a serious one, he is now well on the road to recovery.

He hasn't just been loafing around in hospital but has been toying with some songs with his usual impossible rhymes. :-)

Bob Blair

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 03:19 AM

Sorry to hear it. Please convey my best wishes.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 01:15 AM

Seamus Kennedy pointed out to me that Adam has already done a treatment of Macbeth - It's called The Scottish Song, and it's in the Digital Tradition.

You can hear Seamus singing it at MySpace.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 07:08 AM

Thanks from me as well, Adam. I have admired your work for years.

The "Jeely Piece Song" is one of your creations which has found a home in my draft copy of Pity the Downtrodden Landlord songbook. Some day I will find a publisher for this fascinating book.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 09 Mar 13 - 08:16 PM

Get well again soon, Adam! (And not just so you can do a recording of Romeo & Juliet ...)

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Celtaddict
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 02:13 PM

Adam, best wishes and hope you are mending well! I am delighted to see this song as I love The Scottish Song and Oor Hamlet. Loved meeting you in the flesh in Glasgow with Ed Miller!

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Mar 13 - 06:12 AM

Aye, get well soon! Saw the wee "duodeno-pancreatectomy" song on Facebook! They didn't remove your sense of humour in the operating theatre!

Any chance you or Bob could answer the query on the "Welcome home to Glasgow" thread?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GUEST,Dave D
Date: 30 Jan 19 - 06:39 PM

Does anybody know if this song has ever been recorded, by Adam or by others? If so, do you have details?

I am aware of the snippet of it on YouTube, but don't know who is performing there.

Been re-listening to Adam's Words Words Words album today (included in the Words I Used to Known double CD). Absolutely wonderful stuf

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Feb 19 - 06:58 PM

I don't know that it has.
I was at a wonderful afternoon in Glasgow just 2 Sundays ago, where Adam was the guest at the Glasgow Ballad Workshop: during Celtic Connections, but not part of the official festival. During that time we were well entertained by Adam: some serious ballads, some parodies of serious ballads, and all four of his Shakespeare re-writes: Romeo and Juliet, The Scottish Play, Oor Hamlet, and King Lear. Just amazing! There was a "no video" order, and I don't think there was any audio recording either, sorry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 04 Feb 19 - 02:36 PM

.....and Ah'm ragin' Ah missed it!
Ma Maw's 97th birthday trumped Adam's performance. - Hope there's a repeat sometime? Fingers crossed!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GUEST,Dave D
Date: 05 Feb 19 - 05:55 AM

There is a King Lear too!! Wow - I didn't know! Sounds an absolutely wonderful afternoon.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 05 Feb 19 - 07:32 PM

Yes, think I've only seen him do it twice, or maybe three times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 06 Feb 19 - 08:59 AM

Ah, shame about the "no recording" order. I too would love to hear His Master's Voice on the missing McNaughtan "Shakespearodies".

I wonder if the man himself can be persuaded online to Guest-post the lyrics to King Lear (as he did for Romeo & Juliet back in Feb 2013)?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 06:31 AM

Could ask when next I see him, or possibly Anne Neilson might pick up on it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 04:40 PM

The world is waiting.

Subject: ADD: King Lear (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GUEST,Guest Adam McNaughtan
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 11:02 AM

Anne Neilson picked up on it.


KING LEAR [Petronella]
(Adam McNaughtan)

Auld King Lear thought he’d abdicate
And turn the kingdom ower to a she-triumvirate;
So he turned to his daughters and he made the state
How much love to him was due.
Gon’ril said, “Ah love ye mair than tongue can name.”
Regan said, “Ah love ye till the coos come hame.”
Cordelia said, “Ah willnae play your silly game,
’Cause Ah’m gonnae love my husband too.”
Lear took a flakey an’ he did deny her,
An’ the Duke o’ Kent got banished just for standin’ by her,
The King o’ France said, “You are my heart’s desire.”
He proposed and she said, “I do.”
And the auld Duke o’ Gloucester got a letter
That telt him wan o’ his sons was a traitor,
But he couldnae tell the worse frae the better,
Nor the false yin frae the true.

Lear had devised a kinna time-share plan
To stey wi’ his daughters wan by wan,
Wi’ a hundred troops to dauner roon the land
An’ help him while he slaked his drouth.
Regan said, “Your troops are aye on the booze,
An’ aw that you’re needin’ is a place to snooze.”
“NEED!” he says. “Efter aw Ah’ve done for youse!”
An’ he stertit shootin’ aff his mooth.
So oot in the storm she sent him packin’
An’ the fool tried to keep him sane by yakkin’;
Kent came to help in spite o’ his sackin’
An’ got pilloried for bein’ uncouth.
Gloucester must ha’ been certifiable
When he was taken in by Edmund’s libel;
It wasnae till he loast his secont eyeball
That he could see the natural truth.

On the Dover Road the traffic got tight
When they heard that Cordelia had come hame to fight:
There was Gloucester an’ Poor Tam the Bedlamite
An’ the King an’ the unkent Kent.
Albany was virtuous an’ Cornwall deid.
That’s no the kinna husbands Lear’s daughters need;
It’s the vicious type that turns their heid.
So for Edmund they baith went.
Gon’ril sent Oswald for to bring back Gloucester
’Cause she said that folk’s opinions he’d cost her,
But Edgar wiped his name aff the roster
An’ read what Goneril had sent.
Lear an’ Cordelia were re-united
An’ she telt him no to get over-excited,
But just as soon as she’d won the fight, he’d
Find oot whit a daughter’s love meant.

But efter the baddies had won the day,
Edgar challenged Edmund an’ blew him away;
An’ Goneril committit felo-de-se
Efter seein’ to her sister’s death.
Cordelia died at the end o’ a rope;
Lear killt the hangman and startit to mope,
Then his poor hert burst in an access of hope
When he thought that he saw her breath.
So mind when you enter the playhouse portals,
That a Shakespeare tragedy’s short on chortles;
When it comes to killin’ aff fellow-mortals,
Bill Shakespeare isnae laith.
Ah’ve read King Lear an’ Ah’ve seen it actit,
Wi’ eyes gouged oot an’ auld men distractit,
An’ Ah can tell you for a fact that
There’s mair laughs in Hamlet or Macbeth.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GUEST,Dave D
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 11:23 AM

Many many thanks, Adam. Oh man, I am in an open plan office trying not to laugh too much. Pure genius.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Feb 19 - 12:00 PM

Fabulous! Many thanks to Adam and Anne!
And here's a link to the tune of Petronella: for standard notation, just click the link to the score, above all the ABC versions!
Petronella

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 04:24 AM

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Adam+McNaughtan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Romeo and Juliet (Adam McNaughtan)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Feb 19 - 04:29 AM

Unfortunately I missed the flyting of McNaughtan and Cork's Con Fada O'Driscoll
Hope it happens again
Jim Carroll