Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: Ged Fox
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 08:07 AM

Here is a 1692 representation of (part of?) the tune, under its name of "March, Boys"
http://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/22306/transcription#

The "Recording" tab has a sung version. I think it's a long way from Katie Bairdie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 05:29 PM

Here's how the tune looks in Wit and Mirth, or Pills to Purge Melancholy, vol 2, 3rd edition, 1712.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 01:00 AM

Thanks, as I should have said before, Ged, for that excellently sung YouTube, which illustrates and clarifies the point at issue re the tune to perfection.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 12:58 AM

'Katie Bairdie' is one of those pompety-pom tunes that can be adapted to carry lots of sets of words. Not a million miles from 'Pop Goes the Weasel' to my ears. Doesn't sound all that close to 'Arkansas Traveller' to me -- at least rhythmically: tho I suppose note-4-note, perhaps....

~M~

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: Ged Fox
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 03:35 PM

Er - Guest above was I - I'd deleted the cookie.

Ged

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 03:28 PM

The full refain is
"To thee, to thee, derry derry to thee,
To thee, to thee, derry derry to thee,
And this was the burthen of his Song,
if thou wilt pipe Lad, I'll dance to thee."

Tune, as shown in Northumbrian Minstrelsy -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLG9w--0tMU&feature=youtu.be

I think the refrain is close cousin to Katie Bairdie (given the C17 practice of shoe-horning almost any words into almost any tune. But then, the whole tune seems to me a close cousin of the Arkansas Traveller as well, so you should not, perhaps, take my opinion that seriously.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 08:03 AM

If "Cater-Bordee" is "Katie Bairdie" I'm darned if I see how to make that refrain fit.

Subject: Lyr Add: Northumberland Bagpipes - A Shepherd Sat
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 07:32 AM

Late C17th - in d'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy etc

A Shepherd set him under a Thorn,
he pull'd out his Pipe and began for to play,
It was on a Mid Summers day in the morn,
for honour of that Holy day;
A Ditty he did chant along,
goes to the tune of Cater-Bordee,
And this was the burthen of his Song,
if thou wilt pipe Lad, I'll dance to thee;
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, &c.

And whilst this harmony he did make,
a Country Damsel from the Town,
A Basket on her Arm she had,
a gathering Rushes on the Down:
Her Bongrace of the Wended Straw,
from the Sun's hot Beams her face is free,
And thus she began when she him saw,
if thou wilt pipe Lad, I'll dance to thee;
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, &c.

Then he pull'd out his Pipe, and began to sound,
whilst tempting on her back she lay,
But when his quivering Note she found,
how sweetly then this Lass could play.
She stop't all jumps and she reveal'd,
she kept all time with Harmony,
And looking on him, sighing said:
if thou wilt pipe Lad, I'll dance to thee;
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, &c.

She never so much as blusht at all,
the musick was so charming sweet,
But e're and anon to him she'd call,
and bid him be active, turn and meet;
thou art a bonny Shepherd Swain,
I am a Lass now come to wooe thee,
To play me another double strain,
and doubt not but I will dance to thee,
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee & c.

        Although I am but a silly Maid,
and ne'er was brought up at a dancing School
But yet to the Jigg that thou hast plaid,
you find that I can keep time and Rule:
Now see that you keep your stops aright,
for Shepherd I am resolv'd to view thee,
And play me the Damsel's chief Delight,
and never doubt Lad but I'll dance to thee
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, &c.

The Shepherd again did tune his Pipe,
and plaid her a Lesson loud and shrill,
The Damsel his Face did often wipe,
with many a Thank for his good-will,
And said, I was ne're so pleas'd before:
and this is the first time that I knew thee,
Come play me this very Jigg once more,
and never doubt but I'll dance to thee,
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, &c.

The Shepherd he said, as I am a Man,
I have kept playing from morning till noon,
Thou know'st I can do no more than I can,
my Pipe is clearly out of Tune;
To ruine a Shepherd I'll not seek;
said she, for why should I undo thee;
I can come again to the Down next week,
and thou shalt Pipe and I'll dance to thee,
To thee, to thee, derry, derry, to thee, &c.