Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,George Lawson
Date: 04 Jul 21 - 03:29 AM

Can you please write the entire lyric of Mayfield, Gayfield, Bruntisfield and Murrayfield? I would very grateful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 13 May 17 - 12:32 PM

And I wrote one about Portobello too!
Portobello actually used be dubbed "Edinburgh's Riviera"!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 12 May 17 - 05:56 AM

Two totally different songs about a Edinburgh suburb(?)by the sea.

"On The Beach At Portobello" - Matt McGinn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOykNW_Jfp0

"Portobello Sands" by Mairi Campbell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci2nzvC8DWc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,Sandy Borthwick
Date: 11 May 17 - 07:51 AM

My Grandfather had a 'gramaphone' record by Will Fyfe. It had the chorus 'Pory folk Leith folk&c.
The verse I remember is
I can mind when umbrellas hadnae ony ribs
I can mind when Edinburgh had nae Hearts or Hibs,
I can mind when Morningside didnae hae a tram,
And I can mind when Arthur's seat got wet in Liberton Dam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Oct 14 - 09:00 PM

Ok Jack, no offence meant. I'll rephrase what I said. "Just one of the many Edinburgh songs not yet mentioned on ths thread is Davie Robertson's Star of the Bar". One of the many people who have been known to sing this was the late Charlie Strachan, who sang it in many a session at The Royal Oak, and other folk pubs in Edinburgh. There is a picture of him and a dedication to that effect in said Royal Oak.
And yes, Jack's website is a mine of information re Edinburgh songs and folklore.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 12:47 PM

Thanks for the info, Jack. I'll check out your site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 11:37 AM

I have another version of that one (from a 19th century broadside) on my website as "Duncan Campbell". It changed very little between different versions - the Gaughan one is almost the same except for Scotifying the printed text. I think he got it from Ford's "Vagabond Songs" - it doesn't seem to have survived in oral tradition, which is surprising considering how many 19th century copies of it there were and how good it is.

Subject: Lyr Add: ERIN GO BRAGH (from Dick Gaughan)
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 10:46 AM

ERIN GO BRAGH

Lyric as sung by Dick Gaughan

Ma name's Duncan Campbell fae the shire o Argyll
A've traivellt this country for mony's the mile
A've traivellt thro Irelan, Scotlan an aa
An the name A go under's bauld Erin-go-Bragh

Ae nicht in Auld Reekie A walked doun the street
Whan a saucy big polis A chanced for tae meet
He glowert in ma face an he gied me some jaw
Sayin whan cam ye owre, bauld Erin-go-Bragh?

Well, A am not a Pat tho in Irelan A've been
Nor am A a Paddy tho Irelan A've seen
But were A a Paddy, that's nothin at aa
For thair's mony's a bauld hero in Erin-go-Bragh

Well A know ye're a Pat by the cut o yer hair
Bit ye aa turn tae Scotsmen as sune as ye're here
Ye left yer ain countrie for brakin the law
An we're seizin aa stragglers fae Erin-go-Bragh

An were A a Pat an ye knew it wis true
Or wis A the devil, then whit's that tae you?
Were it no for the stick that ye haud in yer paw
A'd show ye a game played in Erin-go-Bragh

An a lump o blackthorn that A held in ma fist
Aroun his big bodie A made it tae twist
An the blude fae his napper A quickly did draw
An paid him stock-an-interest for Erin-go-Bragh

Bit the people cam roun like a flock o wild geese
Sayin catch that daft rascal he's killt the police
An for every freen A had A'm shair he had twa
It wis terrible hard times for Erin-go-Bragh

Bit A cam tae a wee boat that sails in the Forth
An A packed up ma gear an A steered for the North
Fareweill tae Auld Reekie, yer polis an aa
An the devil gang wi ye says Erin-go-Bragh

Sae come aa ye young people, whairever ye're from
A don't give a damn tae whit place ye belang
A come fae Argyll in the Heilans sae braw
Bit A ne'er took it ill bein caad Erin-go-Bragh



-This from Dick Gaughan's website. He used the same tune, or one very similar, for "The Thatchers O' Glenrae".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 08:32 AM

The source singer, Michael C Dean, said that his Irish immigrant mother used to sing the song to him as a lullaby." That could speak for the Irish origin, although it's odd that Irish would be singing about Edinburgh, unless they were Scots-Irish.

She'll have learned it from a book or broadside. It was one of the most-printed songs of the 19th century. Most of the sources for it are English and my guess is it was written in London. There is nothing Scots about the language in any version I know. Early anthologizers of Scots songs didn't seem to know of its existence.


The one that I don't think is on this thread but IS in the DT is "The Star o the Bar"

"The one"? Do you realize how many there are?

"Star of the Bar" is also on my website long with a couple of hundred others.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 04:21 PM

Any memories of any words, Musket?

The one that I don't think is on this thread but IS in the DT is "The Star o the Bar"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Musket
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 01:15 PM

And yet..

Edinburgh will always be associated with the soundtrack to Trainspotting for many..

A lad was playing in The Malt Shovel when I was last in Edinburgh and sang a song about Auld Reekie which I liked. He took my email address to send me the words (I knew the tune ish) but sadly, he didn't send it. A really good song. Be blessed if I know what it was so have looked at this thread, but it isn't here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,Edinburgh man in Cumbernauld
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 12:18 PM

I can mind when Edinburgh had nae Hearts nor Hibs
I can mind when umbarellas hudnay ony ribs
I can mind o' Morninside afore it had a tram
And Ican mind when Arthur's Seat got wet in Liberton Dam
Porty folk etc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 08:14 PM

Looking back up this thread, I have had to revise my song "A Wholly Holey Place" which I posted in 2009, re-written the last 2 verses to take account of the fact that, as from 31st May this year, we do now have trams running (and there has been no volcanic eruption yet!). Not been on one yet as there is only one line which doesn't go anywhere near where I want to go!

And a friend, Anne Renshaw has a good song about the no 37 bus, which runs from Penicuik to Edinburgh City Centre. (Not the same no 37 as in the Hamish Imlach song!)

Re Jim Carroll's post above, I think Knox was an anatomist, not an atomist!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 12:27 PM

The Heart of Midlothian (where you spit for luck) has been the topic of several songs over the years. I've got a music hall one from the 30s on my site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Gutcher
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 12:07 PM

Jack.
Interesting to see that a long held believe, dating back to my misspent youth in the backwoods, may be mistaken.
Never having met with even a parlour version of the song "Kiss"d Yestreen", let alone the "earthy" version, in any of the collections ,I would be interested in learning a bit of background and your reasons for the Glasgow connection.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 05:51 AM

Jim Malcolm (formerly of Old Blind Dogs) wrote a couple of Edinburgh songs that I like: "Losin' Auld Reekie" and "Flowers of Edinburgh." "Flowers" is about a spot in front of the cathedral on the Royal Mile, where people spit on the pavement for some reason....

Oh, well, it loses something in the translation.
If you like singer-songwriter songs (I have mixed feelings), Jim does some pretty good ones (and he's a really nice person to go on a tour of Scotland with).
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 08:11 AM

"Caroline of Edinburgh Town" has been reprinted in broadsides all over the British Isles for 200 years at least. It probably got to Dublin that way. I doubt if it's even Scottish in origin, there seems no trace of Scots in any version. I suspect it was written in London and Edinburgh was inserted because Slough and Stoke-upon-Trent didn't fit the metre. I wouldn't be upset if somebody decided to sing it about Mogadishu or Zakopane instead.

"Kissed Yestreen" is earliest associated with Glasgow as far as I know.

I am not very fond of The Outside Track; yet another generic multi-instrumental band with no very distinctive sound. Ailie Robertson is far more interesting on her own, particularly the first CD with the punchy jazzy stuff.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Gutcher
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 12:50 PM

Rightly or wrongly I have always considered the old song "Kiss"d Yestreen" to be an Edinburgh song.

CH.    Kiss"d yestreen, kiss"d yestreen,
       up the close and doon by the green,
       twicet in ma shrift and thrice in ma goon,
       o I was fairly won and kiss"d yestreen.

Kiss"d being an old euphemism for a more vigorous activity

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,shoalsoherrin
Date: 22 Jun 14 - 09:15 AM

I agree, The Outside Track has an absolutely wonderful version of Caroline of Edinburgh Town. It's on their CD Curious Things Given Wings and has quickly become one of my favorite songs. As to the origin, they write. "Norah's (lead singer Norah Rendell) husband, Brian Miller, found this version in an unpublished archive of songs collected in the American midwest by Franz Rickaby. The source singer, Michael C Dean, said that his Irish immigrant mother used to sing the song to him as a lullaby." That could speak for the Irish origin, although it's odd that Irish would be singing about Edinburgh, unless they were Scots-Irish.

Among other songs about Edinburgh, there is also Edinburgh Toon. I have only heard it sung by North Sea Gas - on the CD of the same name. I am sure there are plenty of other versions. It's the same theme as the Black Velvet Band, about an unsuspecting young man from the country who goes to the city and falls prey to the wiles of a thieving young woman. He helps her with her robberies and himself ends up getting arrested.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 06:14 PM

I've got "Caroline of Edinburgh Town" in there too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 05:45 PM

Not to forget Jack's own page, if you treat "songs" as "tunes":
http://www.campin.me.uk/Embro/Webrelease/Embro/18misc/18misc.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From:
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 09:02 PM

Thanks DTM, I was in touch with Davie myself some 6 or 7 years ago regarding the 'Woman in Edinburgh Toon', but he couldn't recall much of the song at that time.

I guess it must be 40 years and more ago since I heard it.

Subject: Lyr Add: CAROLINE OF EDINBURGH TOWN (Outside Track
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 01:55 PM

Another "Edinburgh" song is "Caroline Of Edinburgh Town".
BTW, the Outside Track did a great recording of this song.
(I believe there's an Irish variant around as well)


"Caroline Of Edinburgh Town" (Outside Track version)

1 Come all young men and maidens, come listen to my rhyme
It's all about a nice young girl, that was scarcely in her prime
She beat the blushing roses, admired all around
Was lovely little Caroline of Edinburgh town

2 Young Henry was a Highland man a-courting her he came
And when her parents came to know, they did not like the same
Young Henry was offended, and this to her did say
Rise up my lovely Caroline, and with me run away
        
3 Persuaded by young Hendry, she put on her finest gown
And soon was travelling on the road from Edinburgh town
She says to him oh Henry dear, pray on me never frown
Or you'll break the heart of Caroline of Edinburgh town

4 Well they had not been in London, but scarcely half a year
When hard-hearted Henry, he proved to be severe
Said Henry I will go to sea, your parents on me did frown
So without delay go beg your way, to Edinburgh town

4 Well fuelled with grief without relief this maiden she did go
Into the wood to eat some food that on the bushes grow
Some strangers they did pity her, and more on her did frown
And some did say what made you stray, from Edinburgh town

5 It was on a lofty jutting cliff, this maid sat down to cry
And watching on King Henry's ships, as they were sailing by
She says farewell oh Henry dear and plunged her body down
That's what became of Caroline of Edinburgh town
        
6 A note was in her bonnet, that was found along the shore
And in that note a lock of hair and these words I am no more
I'm fast asleep down in the deep, the fishes are watching round
What once was lovely Caroline of Edinburgh town

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 09:21 AM

One not mentioned so far is Adam McNaughtan's brilliant (of course) re-write of The Lions' Den (Roud 396), where the competing suitors are an Edinburgh man (posh, from Morningside) and a Glasgow man, the latter of course having McNaughtan's sympathy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,JimI
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 06:40 PM

Thank you, oh thank you kind sir (or madam). A long wait ended.

Subject: Lyr Add: EDINBURGH TOON (Davie Robertson)
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 05:21 PM

"EDINBURGH TOON" (with reference to previous posts)
Three years down the line and the composer uncovers a copy of the lyrics of the song and passes them on to me.
Thank you, kind sir :-)

My guess is that this song was popular around the late 60's/early 70s period. As far as I know, the clubs mentioned have all gone now.


Edinburgh Toun by Davie Robertson

1        I'm a decent young felly, wi' yin thing on ma min
        Tae find a wee bird, tae gi'e me a guid time
        That's sexy and brainy, braw lookin' and witty
        There's a fat bluidy chance, o' that in this city

ch:        Believe me ye might as well try for the moon
        As try for a wumman in Edinburgh toun

2        Ah yince tried The Place, whaur Edinburgh sends        
        Her left-ower weemin, tae spend their weekends
        But the burds dinnae want me, for I hundnae the looks   
        For the men gaun there, aw ha'e bald heids an' plooks

3        And so I tried Fairlies, at the top o' Leith Walk
        But when Ah got in, Ah wis in for a shock
        For it cost me five bob, tae get in at the door
        But it cost me five quid, tae get onything more

4        At the Casablanca, Ah near went intae stitches
        For the bluidy place looked, like a coven o' witches
        But it didnae much matter, for Ah couldnae get far
        For I dinnae speak posh, and a hudnae a car

5        Ah've been everywhere, from the Union tae The Place
        An' A've left every dance, wi' a scowl on ma face
        For half o' the burds, that A've met have been freaks
        An' the rest were protected, by cast iron breeks

6        Aw the burds that Ah fancied, dinnae want me at a'
        An' the yins that did want me, I got rid o' them a'
        But Ah keep hopin' someday, my star will shine brighter
        And that some burd could fancy, a drunken song writer

7        An' so I appeal, at the end o' ma song
        If onybody's wantin', tae help me along
        If onybody kens, o' a suitable girl
        Just send her tae me, and Ah'll gi'e her a birl

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jan 14 - 05:20 AM

I have been trying to find this song for a long time and in particular I was looking for Azza Waz's Pend which as I recall was in a now gone tenement on the south side of Fountainbridge almost opposite Gardners Crescent. I believe that there was a sing giving his name - a rag and bone merchant?

I learned the rhyme as;
Porty folk and Leith folk, Joppa and Dalkeith folk
Folk fae Constitution Street and Azzy Waz's Pend
Mayfield, Gayfield, Bruntisfield and Murrayfield
They'l aa tell you stories professors dinnae ken

The Hayfiled in Edinburgh is too new

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 07:36 PM

Been digging for the words of "(Try For a Woman In) Edinburgh Toon". Even went straight to the horse's mooth as it were - alas, no joy. Also tried two different chanters of the song and all that came to light was an additional half verse (thanks Tich).

"At the gay Casablanca I was very near in stitches,
For the bloody place looked like a coven o' witches.
For half o' them dum de dum.......
And the other half ............."

Looks like it's the end of the trail for this Davie Robertson wee gem, unless there's someone else out there ......?
DTM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 02:32 PM

Jonas, re Union Canal, why would you want a different version from Robin Laing's own? If someone has changed the words and produced another recording of it, I guess Robin might be interested? As Jack C suggested, certainly on one of Robin's CDs: check out his website or Google it and you're bound to find it!
(Why do some folk never do their own homework?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 05:39 PM

GUEST

Please continue...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 05:35 PM

can anyone help me locate a recording of

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: UNION CANAL
From: GUEST,Jonas, Sweden
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 05:46 AM

About Union Canal:
Got a cassette called Raise the Standard from mid 80's. My dad bought it in Edinburgh in '86 or so, after seeing and hearing the guys playing at a pub.
It contains a different version of the song, with pipes.
Better, actually, I think.
Don't remember who sings it there.

Does anyone know if it's available on CD?

/Jonas

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: AnneMC
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:22 PM

Found this for you:
http://discuss.glasgowguide.co.uk/lofiversion/index.php/t17037.html

Thirty seven ago my wife and I went through a sore trial in our lives. We lost a business, our car and all our money. We had to sell practically all our personal items in order to get through each day.

One item we kept was a small cassette/radio, it was our only means of entertainment and light relief.

Every Sunday night we looked forward to sitting down and listening to Sidney Devine's (old steak & kidney) hour long music show. His show was exceptional and he played many fantastic songs and music of his taste. Country & Western and Scottish songs etc.

One Sunday he read out a request to be played of an old Scottish singer called Jimmy Neal (I think thats how it's spelt) Sidney was asked to play one particular song of Jimmy's for his wife, as Jimmy had died just a short while before. (Perhaps one of you good folks have heard of Jimmy and could tell me a little about him)

Anyway, I can still hear Jimmy's voice singing that song all these years later.....


He sang the following few verses followed by him telling a little story.....

I long to hear the melodies my mither used to sing.
The memories of my childhood days and the cheer they seemed to bring.
There's a magic in each melody that's gone beyond recall,
And the songs my mither used tae sing, were the sweetest songs of all.


I have heard the "Mavis Singing" she often sang tae me;
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes;
When I was but a child upon her knee.

T'was within a mile of old Edinburgh toon,
through the auld hoose used tae ring.
I'd gee the world tae hear again the
sangs my mither used tae sing.

Now he gives a sort of sigh and starts talking.....

Ayee, when you think of those days, y'know it really
does make you think, when you were a wee boy.
Every time I hear these songs it puts me in mind of
my mother, and when I was a boy.

And something I saw in Glasgow quite recently, put me
again in mind of it, I'll tell you about it.

I was just away doon tae ma work in the toon and I took
a shortcut through a wee lane.
When I heard such a noise frae a bunch o' wee boys,
so I had a look tae see whit they were daein.

They were playin' at fitba, wae jaekits for goalposts,
and their jaikits were muddy and soakin' wae rain.
But they were enjoyin' it sae well that a said tae masel'
it would be nice to be a wee boy again.

A' wiz jist gonay ask them if they wid give us a game;
maybe they'd think a wis insane.
but as a' kicked their baw back, a' still had the knack,
and a' felt like a wee boy again.

So as I looked over the years I felt ma age disappear,
just as quick as I'm sayin',
And what a'm sayin' the noo, is honestly true,
I felt like a wee boy again.

I can here ma maw shoutin' aye yee'll go for that loaf,
or a skelp in the ear yee'll be haein'.
I saw masel' playin at bools and plunkin' schools
and a wis a wee boy again.

Then a remember the Seturday penny,
the wan that we got when we were a wean.
An' the things that it bote and the load that ye gote.
Oh it would be nice tae have those days again.

But the time was wearing on, a said a'd better be goin'
or the sack frae ma work I'll be haein.
And as a waved them goodbye, ma hert said wae a sigh,
Oh tae be, jist a wee boy again.

You know, God bless her, I'd gee the world tae hear again
the sangs ma mither used tae sing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,dtm
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 06:58 PM

"Try for a Woman In Edinburgh Toon"
Not sure if that's the correct title but I believe it was written by Davie Robertson (see also "Star Of The Bar")
The Bitter Withy use to do it. I heard them sing it a few times. Alas, the chorus & "Fairleys" verse are the only lyrics I can remember also.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 05:13 AM

... whuch was already in "Embro, Embro", with the tune.

Davie has recorded it himself, and as you might expect his is the best version.

Subject: Lyr Add: STAR O' THE BAR
From: GUEST,Guest in Alice
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 01:02 AM

There is a song on The McCalmans album "Keeper" called "Star Of The Bar"by Davey Robertson.

STAR O' THE BAR
Davey Robertson

A'll sing you a stave if ye'll gies yer attention
It's nae song o' pity, it's no song o'woe
An' nae word o' honour or love will I mention
For A'll sing o' a lassie I kent long ago.

Nae better than most an' nae worse than mony
An' what drew me tae her's nae easy tae say
She was coorse she was hertless an' she wasnae that bonny
But she was the star o' the bar in her day.

A' stravaiged The Royal Mile wi' her, drinking in style wi' her
An' Rose Street frae end tae end often surveyed
Focht an' swore in the pubs wi' her, rolled in the dubs wi' her
Cadged mony subs frae her, never repaid.

An ye chaps and young lassies, believe me, love soon passes
An' aw yer bricht dreams is but straws in the wind
Better yin wha'll sit doon wi' ye, sing a fine tune wi' ye
Pass the gless roon wi' ye, drink hersel' blin'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 06:36 PM

And anybody reading this thread probably ought to look at this one as well:

Embro, Embro

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 04:01 PM

Thanks for your help, i agree it could be a "patchwork song" . Maybe patched together by members of the family!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 10:40 PM

Jenny:

"By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes" is a quote from LOCH LOMOND (click)--which is in our Digital Tradition database.

WITHIN A MILE OF EDINBURGH TOWN ("town" might be spelled and pronounced "toun" or "toon" in Scots) is another song that has been posted above in this very thread (click).

Of course, neither of these is the song you want, but they are both quoted in your song.

I can't identify your song, but I have a hunch it might be a "patchwork song", that is, a song made up principally of quotes from, or titles of, other popular songs of the day. This genre was once quite popular. See this thread: Lyr Add: Patchwork Song (1860s Pop) for a discussion and several examples.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,Jenny
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 09:04 AM

I was wondering if anyone could help, please.
My 89 year old Grandad has told me some lyrics from a song his mother and his brother used to sing. He and his family are from Edinburgh. He doesn't sing the tune but says the lyrics. So I'm unsure if it is a poem or a song. I would really appreciate any help given. I would really like to know who it is by. Many thanks in advance.

I love to hear the melody my mother used to sing,
the memories of my childhood days, in my ears they often ring,
there's an echo from each melody that has gone beyond recall,
the songs my mother sung to me, the sweetest song of all was,
i heard the ............ singing, she used to sing to me,
by on banks, by on bonnie brays.
when i was just a child upon her knee.
within a mile of old edinburgh tune,
in the wee house where we used to play ,
There is nay place in all the world, like my own wee house.

I don't know if these words are all correct, but hoping they help.
Thanks again, Jenny.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 12:46 PM

The rest of this song is about Glasgow, but this verse is about Embra...

"Edinburgh's east, and Glasgow is west,
Is Edinburgh better? Is Glasgow best?
If ever I'm asked how to tell them apart
I say: One has a castle,
The other, a heart

Home again, home again
Jiggety-jig
For yer Tattoo and Festival, I don't gie a fig.
Ye can keep yer auld Castle
I don't gie a toss.
I'll take salt and vinegar.
No' salt and sauce."


Note: in Embra chipshops for some reason, they offer you salt and sauce, rather than salt and vinegar.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 06:46 AM

Slightly off topic, I know, but in Edinburgh, and worth highlighting, the current exhibition at the National Library on Scots Music Abroad: haven't been myself yet, but been told it's excellent and well worth a visit: going tomorrow.
http://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/scots-music-abroad/index.html

Subject: Lyr Add: EDINBURGH MAN (The Fall)
From: GUEST,mark
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 03:30 AM

It's springtime but I still miss the streets at dawn
And in the morning walking your bridges home
As I sit and stare at all of England's souls
I tell you something
I wish I was in Edinburgh
I don't mind being by myself
Don't wanta be anywhere else
Just wanna be in Edinburgh
I wish I was an Edinburgh man
You can leave me on the shelf
I'm an Edinburgh man myself
I will always give you help
It's summertime but I still miss your skies so clear
Sitting and staring on a beach somewhere
I'll tell you something
I wish I was in Edinburgh
Don't give a toss about private wealth
And history just repeats itself
Keep me away from the Festival
And just give me a warm quarter-gill
They say you project yourself
But I'm an Edinburgh man myself
It's wintertime and i still see the cobble stones
Clacking over your streets at dawn
I was really poor since I left Edinburgh
I'm OK just by myself
Cause our miserable king won't protect us from ourselves
How I wish I was in Edinburgh
How I wish I was in Edinburgh
I was always in good health
I'm an Edinburgh man myself
I will always give you help
I'm an Edinburgh man myself

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 09:19 PM

I've just remembered Jackie Leven's "The Haunting of John Rebus"

Subject: Lyr Add: EDINBURGH FASCINATING CITY (Radio Big Ban
From: GUEST,David
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:33 PM

I take it you've seen this one before:

You've got the lot, old fascinating city. In all the world - no place I'd rather be.
I love that New Town, elegant and classy, I love to wander in the past the Old Town never cast away.

As darkness grows on your enchanted skyline, that fortress glows; she knows she's well rehearsed.
For when the lights go on in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland,
Old Fascinating City, you're the greatest show on Earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WymV2Bah1Rk

Subject: Lyr Add: WITHIN A MILE OF EDINBURGH
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 11:22 PM

From The Scots Musical Museum by James Johnson (Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons, 1853)—which has musical notation:

WITHIN A MILE OF EDINBURGH.

'Twas within a mile of Edinburgh town,
In the rosy time of the year,
Sweet flowers bloom'd, and the grass was down,
And each shepherd woo'd his dear.
Bonny Jockey, blith and gay,
Kiss'd sweet Jenny making hay;
The lassie blush'd, and frowning cry'd, No, no, it will not do,
I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too.

Jockey was a wag, that never would wed,
Tho' long he had follow'd the lass,
Contented she earn'd, and eat her brown bread,
And merrily turn'd up the grass.
Bonny Jockey, blith and free,
Won her heart right merrily,
Yet still she blush'd, and frowning cry'd, No, no, it will not do,
I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too.

But when that he vow'd he wou'd make her his Bride,
Tho' his flocks and herds were not few,
She gave him her hand, and a kiss beside,
And vow'd she'd for ever be true.
Bonny Jockey blith and free,
Won her heart right merrily;
At Church she no more frowning cry'd, No, no, it will not do,
I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 07:36 PM

PS Vic, you queried "Leaning in the wind in the Cowgate head":
I can assure you that any residents of Edinburgh will know exactly what this means! The Cowgate runs through the "Auld Toon" of Edinburgh, like a Rift Valley, and when the wind is blowing in certain directions you have to lean into the wind in order to stay upright!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE UNION CANAL (Robin Laing)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 07:31 PM

I'm fairly sure someone (actually me, but copied from elsewhere!) posted the full lyrics on a thread about Canal songs! As well as Robin's very funny song about punting!

Subject: RE: Canal songs (UK)
From: Tattie Bogle - PM
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 07:12 PM

Guest in Feb 2003 mentioned the Union Canal song by Robin Laing: copied here from another thread.

THE UNION CANAL by Robin Laing

Fountainbridge to Falkirk, over Almondell
By Ratho and Linlithgow weaves a magic spell
Fountainbridge to Falkirk, over Almondell
Follow the windings of the Union Canal
Follow the windings of the Union Canal

As a child I was enchanted by swans among the reeds
Tadpoles in my jam jar, minnows in the weed
Gazing from the towpath on my hands and knees
Sunlight on the water, the wind in the willow trees

Thinking on those early days, I was always there
Swinging out on Tarzan ropes, drop in for a dare
Summer was the magic time, but Winter had its day
Skating on the ice until the daylight slipped away

Fountainbridge to Falkirk...

The Union is a quiet place, a relic from the past
See the old stone bridges, they were made to last
It's just a sad backwater, lazy, deep and slow
A sleepy road that used to be a moving picture show

For once the traffic pulsed along, a beat that had no rest
Lifeline for the Lothians, a gateway to the West
Passengers by the thousands, scows of coal and grain
The Union carried everything before the railways came

Fountainbridge to Falkirk...

A casualty of progress, stranded high and dry
The Union was discarded, left to waste and die
Broken and neglected, falling to decay
All those weary Winter days, lonely, cold and grey

Those winter years are past now,the water feels the sun
The fight against the brambles and silting up is won
Narrow boats and barges steer the old canal
Slipping through the countryside that I have loved so well

Fountainbridge to Falkirk...

This song was written ? in the late 80's or early 90's.
Since then the silted up bit has been re-opened and the Falkirk Wheel has been put in (tremendous piece of engineering) so you can now get all the way from Fountainbridge (Edinburgh) to Maryhill (Glasgow). Several clips on YouTube of the Falkirk Wheel.

The other thread:
thread.cfm?threadid=56636#886582

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 01:41 PM

"The Union Canal" should be currently available on one of Robin Laing's CDs. Try Coda Music on the Mound for it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
From: jellybean'hotmail.com
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 01:15 PM

I heard part of the union canal on robbie shepard but did not hear all the words but just thought it is just what we did when we were young i stay in glen village were the canal runs thro i would like to get the words and music for this i would like to no if you no any thing about the laughing and greeting bridge in glen village i dont no if this is going to get to you as i am just started on computer and not very good yet so hope i have done this right
   jean sneddon   glen village