Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)

Subject: lizzy lindsay
From: Pixie
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 02:27 PM

I heard a song at the Harbour Folk Society (Halifax) played by Ardyth and Jennifter (celtic Harpists)and think Lizzy Lindsay is the name of it...can anyone supply lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 02:44 PM

Lizzie Lindsay

Jon

Subject: Lyr Add: LIZZY LINDSAY
From: GUEST,Doug Jenner
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 02:46 PM

From my own head:

LIZZY LINDSAY

CHORUS:
Will ye gang tae the highlands, Lizzy Lindsay?
Will ye gang tae the highlands wi'me?
Will ye gang tae the highlands Lizzy Lindsay?
My bride and my darling tae be?

1. Oh no, I cannot go with you, sir.
Oh, I fear that that never can be.
For I know not the place that you come fram
Nor the name of the lad I gae wi'.

2. Oh, I fear you must know very little
If you know not the lad ye gae wi',
For my name is Lord Ronald McDonald,
A chieftain of high degree.

3. She's kilted up her skirts of green satin,
And she's kilted them up round her knee,
And she's gone with Lord Ronald McDonald,
His bride and his darlin' tae be.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From:
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 03:19 PM

Ah, Pixie!! 8-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From:
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 03:30 PM

Oops! Oh well, to finish off. The song is an old one which John Allan Cameron use to sing. The lyrics posted above are the correct ones, as far as I've checked. It's the right story, at lease.

Lovely song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 04:36 PM

I've understood over the years that it's really not "Lizzie" Lindsay but (phonetically) "Leazie", and that it is not really a name, like Lizzie, but more of an endearment sort of on the order of sweet or pretty or darling.

Perhaps one of the experts with whom we are so blessed can clear this up.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: Lyr Add: LEAZIE LINDSAY
From: kendall
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 05:39 PM

I like this version better..

LEAZIE LINDSAY

Will ye gang tae the heelands Leazie Lindsay
Will ye gang tae the heelands wi' me
Will ye gang tae the heelands Leazie Lindsay
My bride and my darling to be.

To gang to the heelands wi' you sir
Would bring the salt tear to my ee
For I'm bound to the green fields and woodlands
And the streams of my ain country.

repeat refrain

I'll show you the red deer a roaming
On mountains where wave the tall pines
And as far as the bounds of the red deer
Hill moorland and mountain is mine.

repeat refrain

A thousand Claymores I can muster
Hilt, blade, and it bearer the same
While around their chieftain they rally
The gallant Argyll is my name.

repeat refrain

There's dancing and joy in the heelands
There's piping and gladness and glee
For Argyll has brought hame Leazie Lindsay
His bride and his darling to be.

repeat refrain
^^

It's interesting to note that in one version, the "hero" is a MacDonald, and in this version, he is an Argyll, possibly a Campbell??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Timehiker
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 08:38 PM

I learned the MacDonald version. My source says the first four lines are by Burns, to an "old highland melody". There's always a chuckle from the audience when they learn the heros name is Ronald MacDonald. Sad fate for a nice song. take care,
Timehiker

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: kendall
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 09:27 PM

thats why I cant hack that version

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 10:39 PM

Dave:

I'd be inclined to stick with "Lizzie" (however spelt) as a name pure and simple.  Leeze me, meaning "lief is me" (an endearment of the kind you mention) is the closest thing I can find to your suggestion, and is probably a bit too much of a stretch.  Always best to keep these things simple; when there's an obvious meaning, it's usually the right one!

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 11:12 PM

Just as an experiment, I'm going to try a blue clicky thing. If it works it will lead to some light-hearted words I wrote to update the song in the light of the modern recognition for the name Ronald MacDonald. If it doesn't work... Oh well I tried. I learned the song off of a John Allen Cameron record a friend had years ago.

There was a thread a while ago were the word leezie, among others, was discussed and I think that it works as an endearment this song. I had heard it as Lizzy but found it in books as Leezie. I don't think it matters if you think of it as a name or an endearment but the affectionate form is perhaps a little warmer, personal opinion only of course.

Attempt

---

Thread #18158   Message #178194
Posted By: sophocleese
14-Feb-00 - 03:10 PM
Thread Name: To patronise. A discussion.
Subject: RE: To patronise. A discussion.

Well okay. I'll give it a shot. Any corporations want to sponsor me? Here's what I can do.

FAST LEEZIE LINDSAY

Will ye gang tae the burgers Fast Leezie?
Will ye gang tae the burgers wi' me?
Will ye gang tae the burgers Fast Leezie?
My pride and cashier for tae be?

Will I gang tae the burgers wi' you sir?
Such a thing it never could be
For I know not the name you have taken
Or why you grin so wi-de-ly.

Oh Leezie your mind it is mista'en
If it sees but a poor fool in me
For my name it is Ronald MacDonald
A vendor of great quantity.

She has traded her clothes from The GAP
For shirts striped like bright candy
And she's gone with Clown Ronald MacDonald
His pride and cashier for tae be.

Is it fries that ye want with that order?
Is this for tae stay or tae go?
Did ye want a drink with that Big Mac?
Fast Leezie's become quite the pro.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 11:22 PM

Well, it is in DigiTrad...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 11:26 PM

I thought that was the version Jon's link led to.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Pixie
Date: 03 Apr 00 - 05:23 PM

thanks everyone (you to George, I could've called you direct I suppose, but look what I would have missed!)..boy I love the Mudcat!

Interesting how the feud between the Campbells and MacDonalds keeps rearing its head these days - more fodder for the song mill, I guess!

Compliments to Sophoclese on the updated version....careful MacDonald's doesn't get hold of it and turn it into a commercial!

Pixie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 00 - 05:56 PM

It was Sophoclese. I felt sure that there had to be a version of this one in the DT - seems to be if it's a song I've heard it's going to be in there!

I am terrible with words but I think the one Doug gave is closer to the version I have heard and I certainly don't remember there being as many verses as in the DT. I also had a look in contemplator. Their version is basically the same as Doug's but with a bit more dialect.

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From:
Date: 03 Apr 00 - 11:33 PM

This is always the best place. I start at the library, then if I don't find what I need I ask here. I haven't made it yet to the library so I'll stop in with my request.

Subject: Lyr Add: LEEZIE LINDSAY
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 01:32 AM

I heard this song on a National Geographic recording called, I believe, Music of Scotland, that was old when I found it in the Hershey, PA public library in 1973. The record came with a booklet of information about the music. Sadly, all I have is a scratchy cassette tape and no book. The words are close to the first version posted. Pardon my attempt to transliterate the dialect.

LEEZIE LINDSAY

Chorus:
Will ye gang tae the hielands, Leezie Lindsay?
Will ye gang tae the hielands wi' me?
Will ye gang tae the hielands, Leezie Lindsay?
My bride and my darlin' tae be

Will I gang tae the hielands wi' you, sir
I'm afraid that never will be
For I know not the land that ye live in
Or even the name ye go wi'

Ah, noo, lassie, I think ye know little
If ye say that ye don't know me
For my name is Lord Ronald MacDonald
A chieftain of high degree

Noo she's ta'en up her skirt o' green satin
She's furled it up roond her knee
And she's gone with Lord Ronald MacDonald
His bride and his darlin' tae be


I also remember hearing somewhere, perhaps in the book that came with the record, that if you took a woman up into the Highlands it was considered a de facto marriage when you got back down.
I don't let the name get in the way of the song. Sometimes I change the first name, sometimes I just sing it the way I learned it and the hell with 'em.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 07:33 AM

Pixie - I was told that the (in)famous MacDonalds were still getting their revenge for Glencoe!

And they are the subject of one of the longest running court cases - the Clan MacDonald are sueing them for bringing the name of MacDonald into disrepute!!

LTS

Subject: Lyr Add: LIZZIE LINSEY
From: GUEST,Eleanor_of_Aquitaine
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 01:57 PM

My grandmother sang a form of Lizzie Linsey I have not seen on any of these sites. Her family name was Cowgill and they came from the Borders. It's the only version I have ever heard where the handmaiden goes instead of Lizzie. The tune is also slightly different from the one on this site, though not from some other site's. It can be found at www.contemplator.com.
The Macdonalds were indeed the lords of the Isles. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a Sir Robert who held them.
^^
LIZZIE LINSEY

Will ye gang tae the Hielands, Lizzie Linsey, wi' me?
Will ye gang tae the Hielands wi' me?,
Will ye gang tae the Hielands, Lizzie Linsey,
Me bride and me darlen' tae be?

Tae gang tae the Hielands wi' you, Sir Robin,
I dinna ken how that may be.
Nor ken I the land that ye live in,
Nor ken I the son I gang bree.

Then up spake Lizzie's handmaiden,
And a bonnie young lassie t'was she,
Said, "Had I but a mark in me pocket,
Your dochter I'd gladly rea'."

She hae kilted her coat of green satin,
She hae kilted it up tae her knee,
She hae gang tae the hielands wi'Donald,
His bride and his darlen' tae be.

He hae led her atop a hie mountain,
And hae made her look oot o'er the sea;
"These isles are Sir Robert Macdonald's,
And his bride and his darlen' are ye."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 02:44 PM

Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index.
-Joe Offer-

---

Lizie Lindsay [Child 226]

DESCRIPTION: A young man comes to court Lizie Lindsay, asking her to come to the Highlands with him. Neither she nor her relatives are interested. He then reveals that he is a rich lord (the Lord of the Isles?); she changes her mind
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1796 (Scots Musical Museum)
KEYWORDS: courting
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber)) US(Ap,MA,NE,So)
REFERENCES (9 citations):
Child 226, "Lizie Lindsay" (8 texts, 1 tune) {Bronson's #3}
Bronson 226, "Lizie Lindsay" (9 versions+1 in addenda)
BarryEckstormSmyth pp. 297-299, "Lizzie Lindsay" (1 text with variants, 1 tune) {Bronson's #6}
Flanders-Ancient3, pp. 269-271, "Lizie Lindsay" (1 text, 1 tune)
JHCoxIIA, #11, pp. 46-47, "Leezie Lindsay" (1 text, 1 tune) {Bronson's #2}
Brewster 20, "Lizie Lindsay" (1 text)
Ford-Vagabond, p. 314, "Leezie Lindsay" (1 short text)
Randolph 29, "New Yealand" (1 fragment)
DT 226, LIZLIND*
Roud #94
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Dugall Quin" [Child 294]
cf. "The Blaeberry Courtship" [Laws N19]
File: C226

---

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2007 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: DonMeixner
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 03:03 PM

Kendall,

Thats my favorite too. That is also the version The Corries used with small mofifications.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Nov 02 - 09:46 PM

In an attempt to find a definitive spelling, I found the following recordings listed at AMG/All Music Guide:

Bonnie Leezie Lindsay - on Harry Lauder's "I Love a Lassie", 1980.
Leezie Lindsay - on North Sea Gas' "Power of Scotland", 1996.
Leezie Lindsay - on Ronnie Browne's "Scottish Love Songs", 1996.
Leezie Lindsay - on the Armstrong Family's "Wheel of the Year", 1992.
Leezie Lindsay - on the Campbells' "Power and Honesty", 1995.
Leezie Lindsay - on the Culture Ceilidh Band's "After the Ceilidh", 1995.
Leezie Lindsay - on various artists' "Jewels of Scotland", 1996 (performed by Carl Peterson).
Leezie Lindsey - on Carl Peterson's "Flowers of Scotland", 2000.
Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Celtic Collections", 1997.
Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Collection", 1992.
Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Essential Fureys", 2001.
Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Finbar & Eddie Furey/Lonesome Boatman", 1997.
Lizzie Linsey - on Noel McLoughlin's "20 Best of Scotland" 1994.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: GUEST,BOAB
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 01:27 AM

Mark Cohen--according to my upbringing, that's IT!!

Subject: Lyr Add: LIZZIE LINDSAY
From: Teribus
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:17 AM

Years ago, when I learned this song the name was Donald Clanranald (Clanranald, being the senior sept of the MacDonalds)

The Mac Donalds of Clanranald take their name from Ranald, younger son of John, 1st Lord of the Isles. In 1373 he received a grant of the North Isles and other lands, and from him are descended the families of Moidart, Morar, Knoidart and Glengarry.

The song as I was taught is as folows:

LIZZIE LINDSAY

Chorus:
Will ye gang tae the heelands Lizzie Lindsay
Will ye gang tae the heelands wi' me
Will ye gang tae the heelands Lizzie Lindsay
My bride and my darling to be.

To gang to the heelands wi' you sir
Would bring the salt tear tae ma ee
At leavin' the green fields and woodlands
And streams of my ain country.

I'll show you the red deer a roaming
On mountains where stands the tall pine
And as far as the bound o' the red deer
Hill moorland and mountain is mine.

Chorus

Tae gang tae the heelands wi' you Sir,
Such a thing it never can be
For I know not the land that ye come from
Or even the name ye gang be

By what ye say Lass ye ken little
When ye say that ye dinnae ken me
For my name it is Donald Clanranald
I'm a Cheiftan o' High Degree

A thousand Claymores I can muster
Hilt, blade, and its bearer the same
When around their chieftain they rally
The Lord of the Isles is my name.

Chorus

She's kilted her gown o' fine satin
And pettycoats over her knee
And she's gone wi her Donald Clanranald
His Bride and his Darlin' tae be.


There's dancing and joy in the Sheilin
There's piping and gladness and glee
For oor Chieftan's brought hame Lizzie Lindsay
His bride and his darling to be.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Jim McLean
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 01:52 PM

That last verse doesn't sound right. The sheilin is a mountain hut where shepherds shelter in bad weather.
Jim McLean

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: GUEST,Angela MacDonald
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:19 AM

I first heard this song being sung by a guest singer on the show,The Irish Rovers,back in the mid 70's. I thought the singer said, Will ye go to the Highlands,pretty Lindsay. I was pregnant at the time and loved the melody and the lyrics so I decided to name my baby Lindsay if a girl. Well, I had a son , but several years later, I did have a daughter who is now 24 years old named Lindsay and as beautiful as the melody of this old song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Barry Finn
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:56 AM

I can never sing "Lord Ronald MacDonald" I just crack up (& some of the listeners too) thinking it's assocated with hamburgers when it's such a beautiful, even if at some times overdone, song. It scans very well by just dropping the "Ronald" from the tradition.

I sing the version that's in the DT but KenDoll, I do like your version. Why don't you come to the Getaway & sing it. "HINT". PLEASE

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Paul Burke
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 05:17 AM

Just change McDonald to McGregor.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Vixen
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:44 AM

Any body know where can I get a recording of Joe Hickerson singing this song??? I have 3 or 4 of his CDs, and it's not on any of them. I've heard him do it twice -- at NOMAD and at Old Songs -- and it's become one of my favorites.

V

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Snuffy
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:47 AM

Or even simpler - change Ronald to Donald

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:29 AM

I do :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Snuffy
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:42 AM

I know :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: leeneia
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 10:18 AM

I decided to see what my unabridged dictionary has to say about "leesy" as an adjective.

The closest it comes is "leesome," which means "pleasant" and is "obsolete except Scotland." It's easy to imagine leesome becoming leesie.

I find it hard to believe that a desirable woman would be called "Lizzie." To me it sounds almost derogatory, as in "Tin Lizzie" for a model-T Ford or the deathless line:

Go get the axe; there's a flea in Lizzie's ear...

On the other hand, isn't using Lindsay for a given name a recent development?

Curiouser and curiouser.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 11:51 AM

I really like that song and my version is similar to Kendall's. But I never sing the Ronald McDonald part. I substitute "I am the young laird McDonald".   The clown image would ruin the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Snuffy
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 04:41 PM

What's wrong with "Lizzie"? An affectionate shortening of Elizabeth. Desirability has little to do with your name: "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

Lindsay is one of those names that belong to both boys and girls: Hilary, Vivian, Jordan, etc. Many girls are Lindsey (with an E)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Helen
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 05:49 PM

My first exposure to live folk music, when I was about 16, was a concert in our country town with performers who I later found out were local legends in the folk scene, associated with the Maitland Bush Band, like Bobby Campbell and Brad Tate and a wild looking red-haired, red-bearded bloke by the name of Bill Morgan. And it was Bill Morgan who sang an unaccompanied (I think) version of Leezie Lindsay.

When I went to Uni a couple of years later I found the Child Ballad books in the library and the first song I looked up in it was Leezie Lindsay. I also sought out the Newcastle Folk Club and started going to the Newcastle Folk Festivals.

So this song is special to me.

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 05:41 PM

Sentimental Mudcat Note:

When I acquired a certain guitar from the now sadly missed Rick Fielding, he told me "Leazy Lindsay" was the first song he ever played on it for Heather when courting her. And the only request he made of me (aside from offering the guitar back to him if I ever tired of it!) was to play it now and then so the guitar would remember.

Well I have yet to get around to it and am now totally confused as to what lyric to use!

One of these days...lovely song always. I have Barry's same reaction to the "Lord Ronald McDonald" line though...a justifiable change is in order.

W-O

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: GUEST,Sara Campbell
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:14 PM

I'm only sixteen, so what do I know, but my Da always sang it the way Kendall reported it. "Gallant Argyll is my name." The Corries sing it that way also. BTW, if you like the Corries, there are lots of their songs on youtube.

I've NEVER heard the MacDonald versions before, ever. The Argyll version completely avoids thoughts of beefburgers...

OMG! I just saw that "Will ye gang tae the burgers Fast Leezie?" posted by sophocleese! That is too funny! I'm going to show it to Da!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: GUEST,D MacNeil
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 08:55 PM

Check out Black Pool's version.... band from Halifax,NS no longer together but worth a listen....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:21 AM

There's dancing and joy in the Sheilin
There's piping and gladness and glee
For oor Chieftan's brought hame Lizzie Lindsay
His bride and his darling to be.


Jim McLean observes: 'That last verse doesn't sound right. The sheilin is a mountain hut where shepherds shelter in bad weather.'

Well, Jim, careful reading of what Ronald McDonald has to offer yields no mention of a stately home or even an old castle. Perhaps he's going to roll her in his plaid every night.

Serious question - what sort of dwelling would a Highland chieftain have had in the late 17th to early 18th centuries?

Further, when she says, 'For I'm bound to the green fields and woodlands
And the streams of my ain country,' she is referring to the abundance and comforts of life in a fertile, agricultural district. In the Hielands, she will have to forego the traditional two veg with her baron of red deer.

Another thought - maybe the reason northern maidens were always running off with gypsy laddies was that their cute little wagons looked so snug and warm.

Subject: DT Corr???: Lizzie Lindsay
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 09:19 PM

I'm looking for a singable version of this song that won't make me sound ridiculous attempting a Scottish accent, so a Joe Hickerson version might suit me well. Vixen asked above but didn't get an answer. Is there a Joe Hickerson recording of the song? Apparently, it's his version that appears in the Digital Tradition, and it's quite different from all the rest. Is it an authentic traditional version? The second and third verses make me wonder.

-Joe-

---

Here's the DT version. I've added a couple of proposed corrections to what I view as mistakes. Am I correct in my corrections?? Maybe the DT IS correct. I dunno.

LIZZIE LINDSAY

"Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay,
Will ye gang tae the hielands wi' me?
Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay,
My bride and my darling to be?"

Then I spoke tae Lizzie's old mother,
And a cantie old body was she,
"Mon, if I was as young as my daughter,
I'd gang tae the hielands wi' thee."

Then I spoke tae Lizzie's wee sister,
And a bonnie wee lassie was she,
"Mon, if I was as old as my sister,
I'd gang tae the hielands wi' thee."

"But to gang to the hielands wi' you, sir,
I dinna ken how who that may be,
For I ken no' the land that you live in,
Nor I ken no' the lad I'm goin' wi'."

"Oh, Lizzie, I maun you you maun ken little,
When I see that you dinna ken me,
My name is Lord Ranald McDonald,
I'm a chieftain of high degree the chief of the highland degree."

So she kilted her coats of green satin,
And she kilted them up to her knee,
And she's off of wi' Lord Ranald McDonald
His bride and his darling tae be.

from singing of Joe Hickerson 1984
@Scottish @courtship
Child #226
Roud-94
recorded by Belle Stewart and Nye Early English Ballads
filename[ LIZLIND
TUNE FILE: LIZLIND
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Fidjit
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 10:24 PM

Lord Ranald McDonald

Is he that chap you see sitting outside the Big Mack and Cheese Burger places?

Chas

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 10:45 PM

That's a constant problem with this song, Chas. Is it better to change it and not distract the audience with anachronistic hamburger references?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 11:00 PM

I have some recorded choices of this. Alex Campbell has a nice, short one.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 11:09 PM

...but I don't seem to have a Joe Hickerson version....

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Tootler
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 05:37 PM

I found this set of words. They are attributed to a Robert Allan who lived from 1774 to 1841

"Will ye gang tae the Heilands, Leezie Lindsay?
   Will ye gang tae the Heilands wi' me?
Will ye gang tae the Heilands, Leezie Lindsay,
   My bride and my darling tae be?"

"To gang to the Heilands wi' you, Sir,
   I dinna ken how that may be,
For I ken nae the road I am gaeing,
   Nor yet wha I'm gaun wi'."

"O, Leezie, lass, ye maun ken little,
   Syne ye dinna ken me;
For I am Lord Ronald MacDonald,
   A Chieftain o' high degree."

"Oh, if ye're the Laird of MacDonald,
   A great ane I ken ye maun be;
But how can a chieftain sae mighty
   Think o' a puir lassie like me?"

She has gotten a gown o' green satin.
   She has kilted them up tae her knee,
And she's aff wi' Lord Ronald MacDonald,
   His bride and his darling tae be.

Copied from www.rampantscotland.com

The various versions in Child tell a similar story but with added detail which takes off the romantic gloss somewhat.

Subject: ADD Version: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Dec 09 - 10:59 PM

Joe Hickerson sent me his version. Lets' see how close it is to the version in the Digital Tradition, which is alleged to come from the singing of Joe Hickerson.

(Joe Hickerson Version) LIZZIE LINDSEY Will you go to the Hielands Lizzie Lindsey Will you go to the Hielands with me Will you go to the Hielands Lizzie Lindsey My bride and my darling to be. Well to go to the Hielands with you sir I dinna ken how that might be For I know not the lands that you come from Or the laddie that I would gaun wi. Then up bespoke Lizzie's best woman And a fine looking lassie was she Had I but one mark in my pocket It's Ronald that I would gaun wi. Well lassie I think you're not clever If you say that you dinna ken me My name is Lord Ronald MacDonald And I'm a laird of high degree. Well she's kilted her skirts of green satin, She's kilted them up to her knee And she's gone with Lord Ronald MacDonald His bride and his darling to be. He took her high up on the mountain And bade her look out to the sea These lands are Lord Ronald MacDonald's And his bride and his darling are ye.

(DT Version) LIZZIE LINDSAY "Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay, Will ye gang tae the hielands wi' me? Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay, My bride and my darling to be?" Then I spoke tae Lizzie's old mother, And a cantie old body was she, "Mon, if I was as young as my daughter, I'd gang tae the hielands wi' thee." Then I spoke tae Lizzie's wee sister, And a bonnie wee lassie was she, "Mon, if I was as old as my sister, I'd gang tae the hielands wi' thee." "But to gang to the hielands wi' you, sir, I dinna ken how who that may be, For I ken no' the land that you live in, Nor I ken no' the lad I'm goin' wi'." "Oh, Lizzie, I maun you you maun ken little, When I see that you dinna ken me, My name is Lord Ranald McDonald, I'm a chieftain of high degree the chief of the highland degree." So she kilted her coats of green satin, And she kilted them up to her knee, And she's off of wi' Lord Ranald McDonald His bride and his darling tae be.

Now, I have to say that the quirky bits about the mother and sister sound like something Joe would like, but maybe the DT version isn't from Joe.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:47 PM

Well Ronald MacDonald would have been a Gaelic speaking Highlander but the song has him speaking in the first person using Lowland dialect or accent. That just never fit with me.
Not only did McDonalds fast fooders make a clown out of Ronald but they tried to trademark his last name for their exclusive use.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: GUEST,AllanC
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 06:33 PM

"a Gaelic speaking Highlander using Lowland dialect or accent"

I don't really see what would be so unusual in that. In versions of the ballad it is one of the Highland clan elites visiting Edinburgh. We're not talking ordinary MacDonald clansmen so surely some of the Highland chiefs would have been bilingual? Speaking not only Gaelic but getting by in Scots too. How else would they have communicated with ordinary women in Edinburgh?

Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 07:54 PM

Digression- Sandy McLean brings up McDonald's restaurants, the name of which comes from Dick and Mac McDonald who opened a Bar-B-Q in San Berrardino, California, in 1940. The restaurant name has nothing to do with Scotland.
In 1954, Ray Croc found out the brothers were looking for a national franchising agent, and in 1965 opened one in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Of course the name was copyrighted to protect it for the restaurants, the number of which increased rapidly, carrying the Golden Arches around the world.