Lyr Req: Star o' Robbie Burns (Thomson, Booth)

Subject: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: CROCKETT
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 08:54 AM

HI I'M NEW TO THE MUDCAT . DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW THE LYRICS FOR THE STAR OF RABBIE BURNS

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,Megan L
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 10:11 AM

Hi Crockett welcome to Mudcat. Had a look in the Lyrics Search but didn't find whaht you were looking for. I may have it in some of my books, will have a look for you.

Please check you havent accidently hit the 'Caps Lock' key on your keyboard as you seem to be shouting at us - writing everything in block capitals.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE STAR OF ROBBIE BURNS
From: Megan L
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 10:30 AM

Sorry Crockett my cookie seemed to have crumbled, couldn't understand why I was being billed as guest.

Here are the words I have, don't think there were more verses, but it is a long time since I sang it.

There is a star whose beaming ray
Is shed on every clime
It shines by night, it shines by day,
And ne'er grows dim wi' time.

It rose upon the banks o' Ayr,
It shone on Doons clear stream
A hundred years are gane and mair,
Yet brighter grows its beam.

Let kings and courtiers rise and fall,
This world has many turns,
But brightly beams, abin them all,
The star of Robbie Burns.

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Margo
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 12:20 PM

That's beautiful. Is there a place where I can hear the melody?

Subject: Lyr Add: STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 04:17 PM

There is another verse, which I found at  Planning A Burns Supper

Tho' he was but a plooman lad,
And wore the hodden grey
Auld Scotia's dearest bard was bred
Aneath a roof o' strae;
To pluck the strings o' Scotia's lyre
It needs no classic lore
But mither wit and native fire
They make the bosom grow.

Megan: What tune is it sung to; For A' That by any chance?

Malcolm

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Wavestar
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 04:23 PM

Megan-

I have a friend who says he's got them, and will bring them, so I'll type them in then.... He says the tune varies, but it's not For a'That (or at least he thinks it unlikley).

-J

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,maryg
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 11:30 PM

Margo...just call me tomorrow morning or late evening and I'll sing you the tune...I remember a Kenneth mc cellar record... 695-5443 mg

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Margo
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 02:28 AM

Ahhh, Mary. I puzzled at first. Hi there!!

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Megan L
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 08:08 AM

Malcolm thanks for the verse I had forgotten that one. As to the tune not being particularly musical I can't give you much of a clue but it wasn't For A that.

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: CROCKETT
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 01:10 PM

thanks for all your help . i know how the tune goes but don't know what it is called but it isn't for a that

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From:
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 01:56 PM

The Star was written by a Hawick man around about 100 years ago. The tune is definitely not A Mans A Man. I will find out more and let you know

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 02:07 PM

Well, I don't think we need any further confirmation that my guess was wrong!  I look forward to hearing more from shankmac on the subject.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,shankmac
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 08:16 AM

Composers name was James Thompson. I have heasrd the song sung often at local Burns Suppers but I cant remember if it has any more than the two verses referred to in 'Planning a Burns Supper'. I will make enquiries.

Mac

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: shankmac
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:47 AM

The Third and final verse

On fames emblazoned page enshrined His name is foremost now And many a costly wreath's been twined To grace his honest brow Auld Scotland's heart expands with joy when e're the day returns That gave the world it's peasant boy Immortal Robbie Burns.

Subject: Lyr Add: STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,Murray on Saltspring
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:53 AM

Correction to second verse:
Though he was but a plooman lad
And wore the hodden grey,
Auld Scotland's sweetext bards were bred
Beneath a roof o' strae.
To sweep the strains o' Scotia's lyre
It needs nae classic lore;
It's heart o' pith and native fire
That warms the bosom's core.

Words by James Thompson, music by James Booth. This for me is THE Burns Supper song, and I always get the assembly to sing it at the suppers I manage.

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Eluned
Date: 28 Apr 00 - 09:17 PM

WOW! They have suppers to honor Robbie Burns?! I niver knew!
The reason I find this so astonishing is that, as a child, for two years, I lived near Ayr, on the banks of the river Doone. I walked daily in gardens which still had trees planted by Robbie's father, walked past the cottage of his birth every schoolday, ate in the Tavern dedicated to him, went to church across the street from the Auld Kirk, and often saw the old bridge which was used in his time. I know all of the stories, and my cat, may he rest in peace, who only just died this past January, was named Tam O' Shantee (he nearly died of HIS curiousity, too). And while I knew he was honored as the poet laureat of Scotland, and his songs are available far and wide, I never imagined anyone held dinners to honor him....

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,Murray on Saltspring
Date: 29 Apr 00 - 02:30 AM

Yes, indeed, Eluned! Actually I treasure an old book that appeared in 1859, titled "Chronicle of the Hundredth Birthday of Robert Burns", edited by the poet and song-writer James Ballantine. This, published only sixty-odd years after his death, describes 872 meetings to celebrate the bard's birthday, mostly in Scotland of course, but a full 61 in the United States, besides one in Copenhagen! In the ensuing hundred years the celebration has become quite an epidemic, really, and now, 204 years after his death, it seems there's never a want of some party or other to remind us of RB's talents. Personally, I get a bit miffed sometimes at the way many people seize the opportunity for a guzzle and a feast without honestly caring what the old lecher got up to; but there's enough true believers out there (without mentioning the over-the-score devotees of the "Burns Cult") to make it worth while. Singing, dancing, a recitation or two, and speeches of course, some serious, some tongue in cheek, all in honour of a more-or-less uneducated farmer who died at 37. An honour no-one pays to Shakespeare, or the national poets of other countries. I know they render homage to Pushkin in Russia; but not world-wide. Whereas old Burns is highly regarded in Russia (and well translated)-- all over the world, in fact. The Star of Rabbie Burns (as I spell it) does fit the circumstances - [two] hundred years are gane and mair, and brighter grows its beam. -- Incidentally, a correction to my correction last time: it should read "Auld Scotland's chiefest bards were bred" etc. Sorry about that.

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Eluned
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 12:12 PM

wow. just........wow. That is amazing.

No need to apologize for your correction to your correction; I would'na know the difference anyhoo! (there, now you've go ME doing it!)

I wonder if anyone local does or has done a Robbie Burns supper? How does one find out?

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Snuffy
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 07:14 PM

Has anyone found the tune yet (ABCs welcome)?

And the first verse is 12 lines and the next two are 8. Or are the last 4 lines of V1 a chorus?

Wassail! V

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,Izzy
Date: 01 May 00 - 03:03 PM

Rab was hardly an 'old' lecher as he was only 37 when he died! That's not that old, is it? I'm getting up there, so I am! And even if he was a lecher, which he undoubtedly was, he still preserved the songs of old Scotland which would have disappeared by now if he hadn't cared about them. He assuredly deserves to be honoured every January. Anyway, its a good excuse for a knees-up and that's what Rab liked best of all!

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: GUEST,Murray on Saltspring
Date: 01 May 00 - 11:05 PM

Yes, the chorus is the four lines "Let kings and courtiers" etc. As for the tune, I can't handle ABC or whatever, not having given any time to learning it. But you may get some hang of the tune from this: Key C, 4/4. g gg C-- b/ a C g-- g/ g C D E /D--- g/ g C C-- b/a D D-- E/ D b b a /g-- g/ F-- EDCDE/ C-- C/ D-- DE D /D-- g/g--abCDE/F-- a /g C D--C/ C--// Chorus: g /e--dc e /g--ag C /a C g C /D-- g /E--DC g /a C F[pause!!] a/g C bD-- C // Let me know if this makes sense. The held note is to the word "a'". Cheers\Murray

Subject: Tune Add: STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: Snuffy
Date: 02 May 00 - 07:41 PM

Murray,

I think I've got the tune sorted out, but would appreciate your corrections and/or comments. If it's OK we can send it to the Mudcat Midis page.

MIDI file: STARBURN.MID

Timebase: 480

Tempo: 130 (461538 microsec/crotchet)
Key: C
TimeSig: 4/4 48 8
Name: STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
Start
0000 1 67 127 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 67 127 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0639 0 72 000 0001 1 71 090 0319 0 71 000 0001 1 69 127 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 67 090 0639 0 67 000 0001 1 67 090 0319 0 67 000 0001 1 67 127 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 74 090 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 76 090 0479 0 76 000 0001 1 74 127 1439 0 74 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 67 127 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 72 090 0639 0 72 000 0001 1 71 090 0319 0 71 000 0001 1 69 127 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 74 090 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 74 090 0639 0 74 000 0001 1 76 090 0319 0 76 000 0001 1 74 127 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 71 090 0479 0 71 000 0001 1 71 090 0479 0 71 000 0001 1 69 090 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 67 127 1439 0 67 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 77 127 0639 0 77 000 0001 1 76 090 0319 0 76 000 0001 1 74 090 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 74 127 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 76 090 0479 0 76 000 0001 1 72 090 0639 0 72 000 0001 1 72 090 0319 0 72 000 0001 1 74 127 0639 0 74 000 0001 1 74 090 0319 0 74 000 0001 1 76 090 0479 0 76 000 0001 1 74 090 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 74 127 1439 0 74 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 67 127 0639 0 67 000 0001 1 69 090 0319 0 69 000 0001 1 71 090 0479 0 71 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 74 127 0479 0 74 000 0001 1 76 090 0479 0 76 000 0001 1 77 090 0639 0 77 000 0001 1 69 090 0319 0 69 000 0001 1 67 127 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 74 090 0639 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0319 0 72 000 0001 1 72 127 1439 0 72 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 64 127 0639 0 64 000 0001 1 62 090 0319 0 62 000 0001 1 60 090 0479 0 60 000 0001 1 64 090 0479 0 64 000 0001 1 67 127 0639 0 67 000 0001 1 69 090 0319 0 69 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 69 127 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 74 127 1439 0 74 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 76 127 0639 0 76 000 0001 1 74 090 0319 0 74 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 67 090 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 69 127 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 77 090 1919 0 77 000 0481 1 69 090 0479 0 69 000 0001 1 67 127 0479 0 67 000 0001 1 72 090 0479 0 72 000 0001 1 71 090 0319 0 71 000 0001 1 74 090 0639 0 74 000 0001 1 72 127 1439 0 72 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Star of Rabbie Burns
M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=130
K:C
G|
GG c>B|Ac G>G|G c de |d3G|
Gc c>B|Ad d>e|d B BA |G3G|
f>e dc|de c>c|d>d ed |d3G|
G>A Bc|de f>A|G c d>c|c3||G|
E>D CE|G>A Gc|A c Gc |d3G|
e>d cG|Ac f2-|f2 zA |GcB

Wassail! V

Subject: Lyr Add: THE STAR O' RABBIE BURNS (Thompson, Booth
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 03:38 PM

Seems like an appropriate time to defragment the above scattered snippets ....

THE STAR O' RABBIE BURNS
(Words by James Thompson, tune by James Booth)

There is a star whose beaming ray
Is shed on ev'ry clime.
It shines by night, it shines by day
And ne'er grows dim wi' time.
It rose upon the banks of Ayr,
It shone on Doon's clear stream -
A hundred years are gane and mair,
Yet brighter grows its beam.

Chorus
Let kings and courtiers rise and fa',
This world has mony turns
But brightly beams aboon them a'
The star o' Rabbie Burns.

Though he was but a ploughman lad
And wore the hodden grey,
Auld Scotland's sweetest bard was bred
Aneath a roof o'strae.
To sweep the strings o'Scotia's lyre,
It needs nae classic lore;
It's mither wit an native fire
That warms the bosom's core.

Chorus

On fame's emblazon'd page enshrin'd
His name is foremost now,
And many a costly wreath's been twin'd
To grace his honest brow.
And Scotland's heart expands wi' joy
Whene'er the day returns
That gave the world its peasant boy
Immortal Rabbie Burns.

Chorus

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: masato sakurai
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 07:55 PM

There's a CD titled The Star O' Rabbie Burns [with sound clips].

Subject: RE: LYRICS FOR STAR OF RABBIE BURNS
From: masato sakurai
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 07:59 PM

A WEE DOCHT AND DORIS (in the DT) has a stanza ("There is a star whose beaming ray") probably from this song.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for: Star of Rabbie Burns
From: GUEST,Van
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 08:05 AM

Izzy
Burns was not a letcher but a lover read his poems and songs. There is a difference.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for: Star of Rabbie Burns
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 03:38 AM

"all in honour of a more-or-less uneducated farmer who died at 37"

One thing he (Robert Burns) most certainly wasn't was "more-or-less uneducated". He was educated in English, Mathematics, French, Latin and some classical Greek. Later in life, as an Excise Officer, he acquired a "working" knowledge of German.

He was extremely articulate, and a gifted debater, he took on many of the most powerful and influential men of the day in Scotland. Most had the sense not to resort to law or to react - they knew that they would lose. The others were too thick to realise that they were being lampooned.

In 1794 Burns was offered a job writing for a London newspaper, The Morning Chronicle, he turned then down.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star o' Rabbie Burns
From: GUEST,jeanette macdonald
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 03:56 PM

the star of robbir burns has its own tune

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star o' Rabbie Burns
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 07:11 PM

which can be heard here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star o' Rabbie Burns
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 08:21 PM

When it's sung at Masonic Burns Night Suppers, the first chorus is usually sung with everyone standing, the second chorus with everyone standing on their chairs, and the third chorus with everyone standing on the tables...!! Despite management efforts to prevent it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star o' Rabbie Burns
From: Peace
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 08:27 PM

They're Scottish. [So am I.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Star o' Rabbie Burns (Thompson, Booth)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 10:54 PM

The Lyric writer was THOMSON not Thompson.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Star o' Robbie Burns (Thomson, Booth)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 06:28 PM

I found several sources that agree that the spelling of the lyricist's name is Thomson, not Thompson. They also agree that the spelling in the title is Robbie, not Rabbie.

Here's a profile of the author in The Caledonian, Volume 5, December, 1905, page 20.

A profile of the village of Bowden, which was Thomson's birthplace, also mentions him and the song, in The Border Magazine, January, 1907, page 24.

The G. Ross Roy Collection of Robert Burns: An Illustrated Catalogue gives this description of the sheet music:

The Star o' Robbie Burns: Song. Words by James Thomson, music composed by James Booth. Glasgow: Mozart Allan, [1950-1969?]. 1 score (7 p.).…