Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:19 PM Sorry- the above site's a bit hard to find as described. Do a Google search, just type : Jean and Edna Ritchie sing Four Marys |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:04 PM No one's mentioned, "Last night there were four Marys?....." Mind the verse: Last night I dressed Queen Mary And put on her braw silk gown, And a' the thanks I'm tae get for it Is a-hangin in Edinboro Town. My sister Edna and I sing that on Youtube, if anyone wants to hear the Kentucky variant! It was known and sung in our family. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie Date: 02 Mar 09 - 07:43 PM Nobody's mentioned "Captain Wedderburn's Courtship" (Child #46?) - The Laird o' Roslin's dochter. Roslin's just to the south and Wedderburn House is just to the East of Edinburgh. Apart from that there's "Sandy Bell's Blues", "Old Bell's Barroom", "The Dying Folksinger" (as I walked down to Sandy Bell's barroom) & "Edinburgh Bus strike Blues". And my mother used to sing a song with the chorus "Edinburgh once more" |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Susanne (skw) Date: 01 Mar 09 - 10:00 PM Thanks Vic. I didn't cut and paste Auld Toon Shuffle from My Songbook - I put it there, or Henry did for me, so your corrections will hopefully turn up there soon. I've got the song on tape which probably doesn't help trying to understand it! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Tattie Bogle Date: 01 Mar 09 - 07:34 PM Just listened to the Linties' recording of "The Auld Toon Shuffle": words as per Vic's version EXCEPT that it IS "Sixties Bentley", which would seem to make more sense than "Sooth Stays Bentley" ?????? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Tattie Bogle Date: 01 Mar 09 - 07:16 PM "Sooth" is of course "South" but would be pronounced Sooth, the part of Edinburgh known as the Southside (pron "Soothside") |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST Date: 01 Mar 09 - 05:11 AM I seem to have lost my name tag - both the above posts were by Vic Smith |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE AULD TOON SHUFFLE From: GUEST Date: 01 Mar 09 - 05:03 AM Actually, there are a number of mistakes in the above transcription of THE AULD TOON SHUFFLE. I presume you cut'n'paste the words from http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/a/auldtoon.html but I would suggest the following changes to what is printed there from my listening to the song on the Easy Club album. My suggested alterations are in bold.... Edinburgh toon has a fine distinction Edinburgh toon gets a nice abuse Everybody knows when the east wind up and blows Edinburgh toon's reduced To two conditions that could be described As the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride So cast a canny eye on the sooth side swagger Don't be taken in by the New Town taste Edinburgh toon wears a wig above a goon Baith above a bib'n' brace But don't mistake it for Jekyll and Hyde It's the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride Because the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride They walk round hand in hand But when the Auld Toon ruffles up the New Town's pride That's when the shit hits the fan Check the office clerk in his two-piece pinstripe Lounging round the Mound like a cat in heat In the public eye wi'no buttons on his fly He's the prince of Princes Street If you find him funny, joking aside He's the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride And see the slinky legs by the Sooth Stays Bentley Safe beneath the tweeds of a Jenners' bride Who never had a voice, never knew she had a choice Never got to play outside Aye, they're ugly sisters, poverty and pride They're the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride Because the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride They walk round hand in hand But when the Auld Toon ruffles up the New Town's pride That's when the shit hits the face of the fan Old man in the road with a white stick tapping *Leaning* in the wind at the Cowgate Head Through the funny smell he thinks that he can tell Sweeter airs are overhead But it's an uphill struggle however you ride From the Auld Toon shuffle to the New Town stride 'Cause you're one or the other, wherever you bide You're the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride * I am sure that this is not "leaning" but I can't make out what it is meant to be |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:33 AM Suzanne (skw) wrote.... AULD TOON SHUFFLE (Rod Paterson)...... ....Never got to lay outside.... A very interesting typo with lots of of possibilities but, of course, it should be "play outside". |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Tattie Bogle Date: 28 Feb 09 - 08:37 PM Susanne, I have PM'ed you re this. Words as I posted above. TRish |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Susanne (skw) Date: 28 Feb 09 - 05:55 PM The Auld Toon Shuffle made me clean forget my original question: Can anyone point me to a recording of the song on Burke and Hare with the chorus (more or less) Up the close and doon the stair Through the town with Burke and Hare I once heard Nancy Nicolson sing it, but she doesn't seem to have recorded it. The song on Robin Laing's 'Edinburgh Skyline' is a self-penned one - good, but not what I'm looking for. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Auld Toon Shuffle From: Susanne (skw) Date: 28 Feb 09 - 05:49 PM Can't find it through the search, so here it is: AULD TOON SHUFFLE (Rod Paterson) Edinburgh toon has a fine distinction Edinburgh toon has a nice abuse Everybody knows when the east wind often blows Edinburgh toon's reduced To two conditions that could be described As the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride So cast a canny eye on the sooth side swagger Don't be taken in by the New Town taste Edinburgh toon wears a wig above a goon Baith above a belt 'n' brace But don't mistake it for Jekyll and Hyde It's the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride Because the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride They walk round hand in hand But when the Auld Toon ruffles up the New Town's pride That's when the shit hits the fan Take the office clerk in his two-piece pinstripe Lounging round the Mound like a cat in heat In the public eye wi' buttons on his fly He's the prince of Princes Street If you find him funny, joking aside He's the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride And see the slinky legs by the 'sixties Bentley Safe beneath the tweeds of a Jenners' bride Who never had a voice, never knew she had a choice Never got to lay outside I know her ugly sisters, poverty and pride They're the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride Because the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride They walk round hand in hand But when the Auld Toon ruffles up the New Town's pride That's when the shit hits the face of the fan Old man in the road with a white stick tapping Leaning in the wind at the Cowgate Head Through the funny smell he thinks that he can tell Sweeter airs are overhead But it's an uphill struggle however you ride From the Auld Toon shuffle to the New Town stride 'Cause you're one or the other, wherever you bide You're the Auld Toon shuffle and the New Town stride |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Vic Smith Date: 28 Feb 09 - 12:31 PM For me, the modern song that describes the spirit of Edinburgh, my birthplace, best is Rod Paterson's The Auld Toon Shuffle. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Jim Carroll Date: 28 Feb 09 - 06:07 AM Whoops Jim Carroll |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Jack Campin Date: 28 Feb 09 - 05:15 AM The Overgate is in Dundee. |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE OVERGATE From: Jim Carroll Date: 28 Feb 09 - 04:13 AM THE OVERGATE O, as I gaed up the Overgate I met a bonnie wee lass; She winked to me wi' the tail o' her e'e As I was a-walkin' past. Refrain: Wi' my toorina, lilt fa laddie, Lilt fa laddie toorinee. Noo, I asked her if she'd tak' a glass, Says I, "I'm owre fae Auchtermuchty Tae the market wi' some swine." I took her tae a sittin'-room A wee bit doon the burn, It's true what Robbie Burns said, A man was made to mourn. For hot pies and porter She ate them by galore; She ate and drank as much as serve An elephant for a year. Noo, then we baith gaed up the stair To hae a contented sleep; When an awfu' knock cam' tae the door At the breakin' o' daylight. It was a big fat bobbie, He got me by the tap o' the hair; And he gied me the whirlyjig Richt doon to the fit o' the stair. Noo, I gaed up the stair again, Ay, seekin' oot my claes; "Ye'll better get oot o' this, young man, Or I'll gie ye sixty days." But I says, "I've lost my waistcoat, My watch-chain and my purse!" Says she, "I've lost my maidenheid And that's a damn sicht worse!" Noo, there is a maid upon oor farm, She is a dainty dame; She milks the kye at early morn, Gin dinnertime it's cream. There is a cattleman on the farm, Will Garthill is his name; And he'll tak' ilka pint you'll gie 'm, But he will pay for nane. There is a man upon the farm He has a wooden leg; And he dolts aboot fae barn tae byre Suckin' ilka egg. Jim Carroll |
Subject: Lyr Add: BURKE AND HARE From: Jim Carroll Date: 28 Feb 09 - 03:56 AM Burke And Hare William Burke it is my name, I stand condemned alone. I left my native Ireland in the county of Tyrone. And o'er to Scotland I did sail employment for to find; No thought of cruel murder was then into my mind. At Edinburgh trade was slack, no work there could I find; And so I took the road again, to Glasgow was inclined; But stopping at the Westgate to find refreshment there, O cursed be the evil hour I met with William Hare! With flattering words he greeted me and said, good fortune smiled; He treated me to food and drink and I was soon beguiled; He said: "There's riches to be had and fortune's to be made, For (an)atomists have need of us so join me in that trade. Hare he kept a lodging-house wherein a man had died, His death went unreported and of burial was denied We put the dead man in a cart and through the streets did ride. And Robert Knox, the atomist, the dead man he did buy. To rob the new dug graves by night it was not our intent; To be taken by the nightwatch or by spies was not our bent. The plan belonged to William Hare, and so the plot was laid, He said that murder's safer than the resurrection trade. Two women they were in the plot, the wife of William Hare, The other called McDougal, and travellers they did snare; They lured them to the lodging house and when they'd drunken deep, Hare and me, we smothered them as they lay fast asleep. At first in fear and dread I was, but later grew more bold, In nine short months we killed fifteen and then their bodies sold. The doctors did not question us, but quickly paid our fee, The price they paid, it prospered us, both William Hare and me. But soon our crimes they were found out, in jail we were confined, And cruel guilt it tore my heart and much despairs my mind; And Hare, who first ensnared me and led me far astray Has turned King's evidence on me and sworn my life away Jim Carroll |
Subject: Lyr Add: A WHOLLY HOLEY PLACE From: Tattie Bogle Date: 27 Feb 09 - 11:32 AM Very topical and contemporary, and my protest at the huge sums of money being lavished on the new tram system, but also a reflection on Edinburgh's geophysical origins, and a dire warning! A WHOLLY HOLEY PLACE You'll have heard aboot Edinburgh's disgrace, A sicht that the toon couldnae face, Up on Calton Hill, how it made them feel ill, But noo it's a weel-revered place. Noo Edinburgh's a' fu' o' holes, Being dug by an army of moles, They cam frae doon under tae tear us asunder Tae meet wi' oor Government goals. Chorus They're digging up Edinburgh toon, They're digging a lang lang way doon, One day they'll hit lava, we'll be all blown tae Java, And I think it might come fairly soon. Aye I think it might come fairly soon. They say that we're needing some trams Some say MSPs are all bams Noo jist hear oor wails, they must be aff the rails As I only see huge traffic jams. If it's no trams, it's pipes or it's cable, They're digging wherever they're able, Not another diversion, it smacks of coercion And that flood means they've hit water table. Chorus There're more red lights than a bordello, Oh why do they never turn yellow Or even tae green, that sae rarely is seen Oh this really is motoring hell-O. From the stuff oot the holes they make humps, They've the brass neck tae cry them speed bumps, It is their intention to wreck my suspension, The exhaust pipe has dropped off in lumps. Chorus And I can't find a stop for my bus, Now why should I make such a fuss? They havenae just moved it, they've totally removed it Nae wonder I'm starting to cuss. Whether Shandwick or Slateford or Leith I find that I'm gritting my teeth, But give them their due, as a Pelicon new At Gillespie gives walkers relief. Chorus So when is it all going tae end? It's driving me clear roon the bend, You'll detect my distaste for this latest disgrace, It's a state that I cannae defend. Chorus CODA (final chorus) ..And I think it has come, noo dinnae be dumb, You see that black curtain, it means doom is certain Ma feet are gettin' hotter, I think that I gotta Leave Embra's disgrace, as we're flung intae space, We cannae absorb it, blast off intae orbit, We're on the point o' destruction, Here comes the eruption....AND I ken that it's happening RIGHT NOO! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Celtaddict Date: 26 Feb 09 - 11:21 PM Bill the sound: Ed Miller also recorded 'Burke and Hare' to the tune of 'The Fox and the Hare' with words written by Robin Laing; it is on 'Live at the Cactus Cafe.' The chorus is
Burke and Hare were a terrible pair,
Is that the one you were seeking? |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SACK 'EM UP BOYS From: Tattie Bogle Date: 26 Feb 09 - 09:38 PM Probably not this one, which started life as a street rhyme, and I believe was extended by Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor: THE SACK 'EM UP BOYS Chorus Up the Close and doon the stair, But and ben wi' Burke and Hare, Burke's the butcher, Hare's the thief, Knox the boy who buys the beef. Hurry doon the Castle Wynd, Look before and look behind, There they wait tae tak yer life And sell ye fur the surgeon's knife…. Auld or young or dark or fair, It maks na mind tae Burke and Hare, While Dr Knox peys oot the tin, They'll sack 'em up and bring them in…. Reekie's rows are dark and drear, Reekie's vennels reek wi' fear, Mind yersel gaun doon the stair, Fur fear ye meet wi' Burke and Hare… |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Bill the sound Date: 25 Feb 09 - 07:16 PM Robin Laing also recorded a song about Burke and Hare but I can't remember all of it. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST Date: 25 Feb 09 - 04:41 AM Does anybody know of a song that goes: 'I remember when Edinburgh hadn'ae Hearts or Hibs......'???? My grandad used to sing it and no one has ever heard of it and we'd love to get the full lyrics and tune! |
Subject: Lyr Add: BONNIE WELLS O' WEARIE From: goatfell Date: 28 Aug 08 - 09:58 AM BONNIE WELLS O' WEARIE Come let us climb auld Arthur Seat, When summer flow'rs are blooming; When golden broom and heather bells Are a' the air perfuming. When sweet May gowans deck the braes, The hours flee past fu' cheerie, Where bonnie lassies bleach their claes Beside the Wells o' Wearie! CHORUS: The bonnie Wells o' Wearie! The bonnie Wells o' Wearie! Come let us spend a summer day Beside the Wells o' Wearie! The "Lily o' St. Leonards" there Oft spent a sweet May morning, Wi' gowans gay and sweet blue-bells Her golden locks adorning. And there the "Laird o' Dumbiedikes" Aft gaed to woo his dearie, And watch his fleecy flocks wi' care, Beside the Wells o' Wearie! CHORUS There Scotland's Queen in stormy times Forgot her saddest story; There brave Prince Charlie led his clans To deeds o' martial glory. When Johnnie Cope, wi' a' his men Were scatter'd tamplinteerie, There Scotland's banner proudly waved Beside the Wells o' Wearie! CHORUS Then let us hail auld Arthur Seat: Like Scotland's rampant lion, It tow'rs, a wonder o' the world, The wildest storms defyin'. Wi' dauntless front 'neath summer skies, Or wintry blasts sae dreary, It stands in peace or war to guard The bonnie Wells o' Wearie! CHORUS O lang may bonnie lassies fair Wi' Nature's charms around them, Still bleach their claes on flow'ry braes, Wi' nae sad cares to wound them! Lang may her sons 'mid fairy scenes, Wi' hearts richt leal and cheerie, Still meet to sing their patriot sangs Beside the Wells o' Wearie! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: Jim I Date: 27 Aug 08 - 05:42 PM Another Edinburgh song of which I can only remember snatches: Anyone got any more? Chorus: Oh believe me ye might as well try for the moon As try for a woman in Edinbro' toon One of the verses: Ah went up tae Fairlies at the tap o' Leith Walk But when Ah got there Ah wiz in for a shock It cost me five bob tae get in at the door It wad hae cost me five quid tae get anything more |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Desperate Dan Date: 27 Aug 08 - 02:56 PM Anyone able to shed light on a song - maybe, only maybe, written and recorded by Harry Gordon, called something like "An Edinburgh Fancy"? It had a chorus, the first three lines were... Porty folk, Leith folk, Joppa and Dalkeith folk, Folk frae Constitution Street and Azzawazzies (?) Pend - Hayfield, Mayfield, Bruntisfield and Murrayfield... My Mum threw our old 78 of it out a couple of years before she died in the 1980s. My life has been empty ever since. |
Subject: Lyr Add: CRUEL MOTHER From: Jim I Date: 12 Aug 08 - 09:04 PM Thanks Michelle I eventually went for the "The Cruel Mother" : Child no. 20 (Version F) although the 'Edinburgh' chorus also appears in Child 10. Cruel Mother
It fell upon a simmer's day, |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Michelle Lynton Date: 12 Aug 08 - 06:43 PM Re: the last entry - try Richard Thompson's version of Bonnie St Johnstone that appears on 1000 years of music DVD - you have the 7th or so verse here of a 9 verse song which is incredibly creepy. You should enter the lyrics on this site under 'Bonnie St Johnstone'. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Jim I Date: 24 Sep 03 - 03:18 PM I recall a song on an early Macalman's LP which also had the 'Edinboro' theme in the second line. It went something like (lots of mistakes here) "Oh mother when that we were thine Edinboro, Edinboro Oh mother when that we were thine Stirlin' for Aye Oh mother etc dum de dum de dum de dum And bonny St Johnstone stands There upon Tay |
Subject: Lyr Add: CAPERNAUM (Lewis Spence, Ed Miller) From: Murray MacLeod Date: 24 Sep 03 - 11:49 AM The poem referred to above "Capernaum " was set to music by expatriate Scotsman Ed miller, now resident in Texas. I quote: "Although not traditional, the ghosts of hundreds of years of Scottish history haunt their way through this song. The lyrics, set to music by Ed Miller, are from a poem written by Lewis Spence. According to Miller, "Raking through poetry journals for thesis material on the images of Edinburgh and Glasgow in literature and song, I came across this stark poem written in the 1930's by Lewis Spence. A contemporary of Hugh McDairmid, Spence was an important figure in the Scots literary renaissance." "As there is a dearth of songs about Edinburgh compared to the large number turned out by Glasgow songwriters about their city, I put this poem to music. It focuses on the bloody history of Edinburgh and the equally harsh moral and religious attitudes of its Calvinist past. Spence's condemnation of Edinburgh is compared to the denouncement of Capernaum by Jesus (Matthew 11:23)." LYRICS: If a' the blood shed at thy Tron Edinbro', Edinbro' If a' the blood shed at thy Tron Were shed intae a river It would ca' the mills of Bonnington Edinbro', Edinbro' It would ca' the mills of Bonnington For ever and for ever If a' the tears that thou hast grat Edinbro', Edinbro' If a' the tears that thou hast grat Were shed intae the sea Where would ye find an Ararat Edinbro', Edinbro' Where would ye find an Ararat Frae that fell flood tae flee? If all the psalms sung in thy kirks Edinbro', Edinbro' If all the psalms sung in thy kirks Were gaithered in the wynd It would shaw the tops o' Roslin's birks Edinbro', Edinbro' It would shaw the tops o' Roslin's birks Till time was oot o' mind. If a' the broken hearts o' thee Edinbro', Edinbro' If a' the broken hearts o' thee Were heaped in a howe There would be neither land nor sea Edinbro', Edinbro' There would be neither land nor sea But yon rede brae and thou. Not a song that ever raises too many chuckles ... Murray |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Critto Date: 23 Sep 03 - 08:05 PM Hey, how do you like some filking around this song? Inspired with Wild West issues, and the horrible bus ride, I've written my own song based both on Bonnie Dundee (mostly for the melody and rhytm) and Ridin' a Raid; it ain't no about heroism, but rather, about drinking and riding far in a stage-coach. Here it goes: Stage-coach drinking ballad =================================== (c) Copyright by Critto '2003, email: critto@o2.pl based directly on the same song in Polish version, of the same author both versions based on the brilliant traditional songs: Scot. "Bonnie Dundee" (which, probably, provided the followers with the tune) and Amer. "Ridin' a raid" (a great song from the period of The War Between The States) ------------------------------------------------------ See the stage-coach that's rushing throught prairie and stepp, It's briskly advancing for the coach's not a jerk; He hastens his horses, who run fast through the night, For at home, his wife'll give him a drop of moonshine ... Come take drop of beer Come hold the rein tight Come hurry your horses And run through the night! Then water your palfreys And nip as a crank! The sooner you'll come, sooner you may get drunk! In good ol' Virginny It shall be dawning soon, The sun be arising as big red balloon, But here, in Colorado, still dark is the night, So hurtle, the carter, for there's long way to ride. Come take drop of beer Come hold the rein tight Come hurry your horses And run through the night! Come water your palfreys And nip as a crank! The sooner you'll come, sooner you may get drunk! See the stage-coach a'rushing through stepp flat as a board! Gravel, mud and the rocks from the wheels're blasting off! Right now, horses' stumble, so it's high time to stay, Let the horses repose, and yourself drowse away. Come take drop of beer Come hold the rein tight Come hurry your horses And run through the night! Come water your palfreys And nip as a crank! The sooner you'll come, sooner you may get drunk! ------- And how do ye like it? |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: weepiper Date: 03 Mar 03 - 02:58 PM I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Jack Campin's CD Rom of Edinburgh related songs and tunes: click on me It looks like quite a project. My dad was sort of involved with this in proof-reading the ABC for the tunes. |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: Hillheader Date: 03 Mar 03 - 12:50 PM Noddy If you were marrying someone from Edinburgh, would you feel like celebrating. And remember that in some parts of Glasgow (not where I live he added quickly) some of the people at the funeral were probably responsible for it - and just turn up to make sure the deceased is gone! |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,allen woodpecker Date: 03 Mar 03 - 08:16 AM There's a poem which has been set to music called "Capernaum". "If all the blood spilled at thy Tron, Edinb'ro, Edin'bro If all the blood spilled at thy Tron had fell intae the river Twould ca' the mills o' Bonnington, Edin'bro, Edin'bro Twould ca' the mills o' Bonnington, for ever and for ever" There's more but I can't remember it. m.d. |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,noddy Date: 03 Mar 03 - 04:44 AM wow dont know what happened then. "there is more fun at a glasgow funeral than there is at an Edinburgh wedding" |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,noddy Date: 03 Mar 03 - 04:42 AM |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: GUEST,Eliza Carthy Date: 02 Mar 03 - 02:03 PM Just found a great song in 6/8 time in Eloise Hubbard's Folk Songs of Old New England, called "Caroline of Edinboro Town". He takes her down to London, promising he will never desert her, but does within six months, and she goes to the woods and eats berries and laments for the rest of her life. Brilliant! x ec |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: winterchild Date: 02 Mar 03 - 03:32 AM Wise of you, I'm sure! |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: Hillheader Date: 02 Mar 03 - 03:27 AM What about "Come in, you'll have had your tea"? Is that not the Edinburgh National Anthem? Only kidding guys. We on the West of Gods Country would never mock the thriftiness of our eastern cousins. |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: jacko@nz Date: 01 Mar 03 - 06:32 PM Thanks Scott. I went looking for that one and couldn't find my copy. That's the third time in a week my incomplete filing system has failed me. Have to do something....... |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: sheila Date: 28 Feb 03 - 11:39 PM 'Sandy Bell's Man' should be credited to the late Dr Stuart McGregor. |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE UNION CANAL (Robin Laing) From: Jock Morris Date: 28 Feb 03 - 06:02 PM Jacko, that's not 'The Union Canal', that's 'Punters'; another of Robin Laing's wonderful songs. 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 jamjar, 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 Passengersby 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... Scott |
Subject: Lyr Add: SANDY BELL'S MAN and PUNTERS From: jacko@nz Date: 28 Feb 03 - 05:44 PM SANDY BELL'S MAN The month it was June, the lilac smelt sweet I was walking one morning through town I met a young girl over Morningside way And she cried as she hung her head down I see by your scarf of the yellow and gold An Edinburgh medic are you Come sit beside me and hear my sad tale It concerns a young medic I knew My father's name was Harry My mother' name was Anne Come sit beside me and hear my sad tale I've been wronged by a Sandy Bell's man When I was sixteen I was spotless and clean I had never tasted a drop I met a young medic his name it was Derick He took me into the grog shop And there on the nips of the whisky and gin I verily drank my fill My father he shot himself over my shame And my mother he likewise did kill One evening in haste to my lover I raced And these glad words I did say My dearest next April or sometime next spring An arrival is coming our way The whites of his eyes opened wide with surprise As the eyes of a young father will And when I called round to his digs the next day He had caught the first plane to Brazil So come all you virgins of Edinburgh city Altho' you be ever so few Come sit beside me and hear my sad tale It concerns a young medic I knew Beware, be careful, before it's too late Fatal is not yet the hour And next time a medical glances your way Be content with a hot and cold shower PUNTERS The starter fired his gun to commence the rollicking fun There was pushing and poking and pulling and punting Great big guys groaning and grunting You've never seen anything quite so banal As the punters punting on the Union canal There were two participant punts Performing and pulling off stunts But the guys in the boaties were little Don Quixotes Standing in a punt, trying to confront The others with a dunt, or a sneaky wee shunt The first punt started so well, shot along like a bat out of hell But the guy at the back felt his grip go slack And the poor old soul slipped down his pole Landed in the drink and did an eskimo roll The second punt bumped to the front And the crew gave a jubilant grunt But the captain to be blunt was a cretinous runt And his boat mis-steered, it was weird how it veered And everybody cheered when the bugger disappeared And the silence of the setting was drowned By the sound for miles around And an unimpressed swan gave a cynical yawn And the drakes and the ducks all agreed that punting sucks And the rats and the voles ran back into their holes for some parecetamols Enjoy, Jack |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: Jim McLean Date: 28 Feb 03 - 11:17 AM In the Historical Notes at the end of Wolfgang's posting, the king mentioned should be William the IInd of Scotland and IIIrd of England. |
Subject: RE: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: Boab Date: 28 Feb 03 - 03:35 AM Any interest in "The Bonnie Wells o' Wearie"? |
Subject: RE: lyr add: Parody of Bonnie Dundee From: IanC Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:17 PM Just an additional note on "Bonnie Dundee", as it doesn't seem to have any attribution in DT. The song was originally included in the play "The Doom of Devorgoil - A Melodrama" (1830) by Sir Walter Scott. There is no particular evidence as to whether he wrote it or not, but his appears to be the earliest version of the song, so it is probable that he did (Scott wrote quite a few "folk songs"). There have been many parodies of "Bonnie Dundee" but one of the best must be by Lewis Carroll (1871) in "Through The Looking Glass (and what Alice found there)" To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said "I've a sceptre in hand, I've a crown on my head. Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be Come dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen and Me!" Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can, And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran: Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea-- And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three! "O Looking-Glass creatures," quoth Alice, "draw near! 'Tis and honour to see me, a favour to ear: 'Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and Me!" Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink, Or anything else that is pleasant to drink: Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine-- And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine! :-) |
Subject: Lyr Add: BONNIE DUNDEE^^ From: Wolfgang Hell Date: 19 Jun 97 - 10:46 AM Bonnie Dundee To the Lords of Convention, 'twas Clverhouse spoke, "Ere the King's criwn goes down, there are hearts to be broke. Let each cavalier here who loves honor and me, Come follow the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!" [chorus] Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can. Saddle my horse and call out my men. Unlatch the west port and let us go free, For it's up with the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee! Dundee he is mounted he rides down the street, The bells they ring backwards, the drums they do beat. But the provost (douce man) said, "Just e'en let if be, For the town is well rid of that devil Dundee!" [chorus] As he rode down the sanctified bends of the Bow, Ilk carline was flirting and shakin' her pow But the young sprigs o'grace were looking coothie and sly Thinking, "Luck to your bonnet, my Bonnie Dundee!" [chorus] With sour-face-d Whigs the Grassmarket was crammed, As if half the West had set tryst to be hanged; There was spite in each look, there was fear in each eye, As they watched for the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee [chorus] Those cowards of Kilmarnoc had spits and had spears, And long-hafted gullies to kill cavaliers, But they shrunk to their doorways and the causeway was free, At the toss of the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee! [chorus] He spurred to the foot of the proud castle rock, And with the brave Gordon he gallantly spok, "Let Mons Meg and her marrows speak two words or three, For the love of the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee!" [chorius] The Gordon demands of him which way he goes, "Where-er shall direct me the shade of Montrose! Your grace in short space shall hear tidings of me, Or that low lies the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee!" [chorus] There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth. If there's lords in the Lowlands, there's chiefs in the north; There are bonnie Duniewassals three thousand times three, Who'll shout "Hoigh! for the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!" [chorus] Then away to the hills, to the lea, to the rocks, Ere I own a usurper I'll crouch with the fox. And tremble you traitors in the midst of your glee, For you've not seen the last of me bonnets and me! [chorus] There is brass on the target of barkened bull hide; There is steel in the scabbard that dangles beside. The brass shall be burnished and the steel shall flash free At a toss of the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee! [chorus] He waved his proud hand and the trumpets were blown; The kettle drums clashed and the horsemen rode on 'Til on Ravelstone's Cliffs and on Clermiston's Lea Died away the wild war notes of Bonnie Dundee [chorus] Historical note: "The famous song, 'Bonnie Dundee', celebrated an unavailing attempt by John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, to sway the Convention called by William III in 1688 in Edinburgh to ratify his succession. Despairing of carrying the vote and afraid of an attempt on his person, he rode off at the head of his mounted followers, causing consternation among the faint-hearted citizens. His departure had the effect of causing many who favored his views to withdraw also and those who favored William were left without opposition. Meanwhile, Dundee withdrew to the Highlands and set about raising an army." From Scottish & Border Battles & Ballads Just "copy & paste"d down from: http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/dundee/bonnie_d.htm Wolfgang |
Subject: lyr req: Edinburgh songs From: havard.rokke@farmasi.uio.no Date: 19 Jun 97 - 06:31 AM I am looking for the lyrics of a few Edinburgh songs: "Sandy Bells man", "Union Canal" and "Bonnie Dundee" (all verses - not the 4 commonly sung) |
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