Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick

Subject: Ettrick
From: GUEST,Joerg
Date: 12 Sep 00 - 10:24 PM

KathWestra posted some lyrics here. As I don't know if that clicky will work, let me quote the whole message:

Thread #24798   Message #286497
Posted By: KathWestra
28-Aug-00 - 10:59 AM
Thread Name: Greatest love songs...and love generally
Subject: Lyr Add: Ettrick^^


"Ettrick," as recorded by Archie Fisher. Still breaks my heart after many hearings.



When we first rode down Ettrick,
Our bridles were ringing, our hearts were dancing,
The water was singing, the sun was glancing,
And blithely our voices rang out together,
As we brushed the dew from the blooming heather,
When first we rode down Ettrick.



When we next rode down Ettrick,
The day was dying, the wild birds calling,
The wind was sighing, the leaves were falling,
And tired and weary, but closer together,
We urged our steeds through the faded heather,
When next we rode down Ettrick.



When I last rode down Ettrick,
The wind was shifting, the storm was waking,
The snows were drifting, my heart was breaking,
For never again would we ride together
Through sun or storm on the mountain heather,
When last I rode down Ettrick.

Well, if my (considerable!) abilities included writing love songs I would now write a song about falling in love with some lyrics. You should know that it's not so easy for me to obtain a recording of some particular song. Does anybody know where to get the tune on the net or does anybody who knows that song himself know enough of abc or whatever necessary to create a midi?

Joerg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 06:24 AM

Don't know where you can find the midi or whatnot but its a great song. By Lady (Baroness) Nairn I believe who for an aristocrat had an absolutely brilliant and totally Scottish way with words which quite cut through class differences--another song of her composition which illustrates this is Caller Herrin. Ettrick must be in some old songbook somewhere but I've never seen it in print.

The Archie Fisher recording is Off the Map, his (first) album with Garnet Rogers.

Let me know if you don't get no satisfaction, might be able to help. The melody is rather subtle and probably unique to this song.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,Joerg
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 10:07 PM

Nobody knows ... ? *sigh*

Good information, however, that this is some 'old' song. Thanks, Willie-O.

I suspect that what is commonly known of 'celtic' music is only the tip of the iceberg. Seems that this is one of the melodies which are a little below the surface or at least not so far above yet. Maybe there should something be done. Can anybody provide some sheet music? If so, I promise to create an abc/midi from it.

Joerg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 13 Sep 00 - 10:41 PM

Joerg, with the info provided I believe the trail is quite warm still, so don't give up hope. I've probably waded through 1,000 or so Scots tunes in the last 12 months and I don't remember this one. The reference to Ettrick is signicant beacuse of its connection with James Hogg, the Scottish poet. I'll keep an eye out for you. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 14 Sep 00 - 01:26 AM

Written not by Lady Nairne but by Lady John Scott (née Alicia Ann Spottiswoode, 1810-1900), who also wrote Annie Laurie, amongst others.  I believe that Archie Fisher set the poem to a melody of his own making, which would explain why it's hard to find.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 14 Sep 00 - 05:11 PM

Thanks Malcolm, I'm still looking for a tune, any tune.

Mary

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,Joerg
Date: 15 Sep 00 - 08:29 PM

Don't give up, PLEASE, don't give up!

Love in advance

Joerg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Willie-O
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:48 AM

I got to hear Archie sing this last night and then talk to him about it! Malcolm is quite correct about the author, as Archie explained to me, although I heard the name as Lady Jean Scott. Archie is doing some research on her. He also says that the poem - it was written as a poem, but she did also compose tunes, if not this one--was written as a commemoration of the Battle Of Flodden (Fields) where "the cream of Scottish nobility" were slaughtered. Interesting given that there's no direct reference to this event in the lyrics.

I can't find the album ("Off The Map"), but I'm sure the liner notes on it attributed the words to Lady Nairne. Well, watch me be wrong about that too.

Unfortunately Archie is temporarily labelless or as he somewhat gleefully puts it "internationally deleted", he didn't have any CD's with him having sold out earlier on the tour...but he says he'll be making a new album in the spring.

Willie-O

Subject: Origins: Ettrick/ Archie Fisher
From: GUEST,Bearheart
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 07:32 PM

Been listening to Archie Fisher lately (he's doing a concert near me in September and I plan to go ) and realized I have always wanted to know more about this song. Anyone have anything to share?

Also I'd sneak in that I'm looking for the words to Borderlands, if anyone has them. Time to really learn it.

Subject: RE: Origins: Ettrick/ Archie Fisher
From: maeve
Date: 14 Aug 14 - 08:09 PM

Bearheart, there's a thread discussing Ettrick here thread.cfm?threadid=25329&messages=8 including a reference to Kathy Westra's transcription of the lyrics... and I'll check my notes about origins when I have time tomorrow.

As for "Borderlands", can you not listen and transcribe it? I can do it when I have time, and I can double check it with Archie, but not tonight

Maeve.

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 11:11 AM

I forget where I found it, but online I found the entire text of a 1911 book called "Songs and Verses of Lady John Scott." Sadly, it contains lyrics only - no musical notation. The verses to "Ettrick" are right there - I saw them. But no music.

Perhaps she never wrote a tune.

I tried the DT and it has Ettrick with a 'Click to Play' link, but the link doesn't produce anything. The download box (Windows 7) says 'Failed - No file.'   

Apparently Archie Fisher wrote his own tune for it. I think that if anyone wants to sing it and does not want to impinge on Archie Fisher's right to his own work, then the thing to do is to compose your own tune.

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,#
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 04:45 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXU9zP84qPo

Here it is on YouTube. Beautiful song. Anyone who can transcribe could have a go at it.

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,JohnMc
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 07:42 AM

DADGAD

D
When we first rode down Ettrick,
                                              A
Our bridles were ringing, our hearts were dancing,
       Bm.                              G
The water was singing, the sun was glancing,
       Em.                              D
And blithely our voices rang out together,
            Em                                    Bm          A
As we brushed the dew from the blooming heather,
          G                            D
When first we rode down Ettrick.

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,JohnMc
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 08:06 AM

a.       a. a.    d       d.    d   f"
When we first rode down Ettrick
a.    ^ f". ...............      e.    d. e.          f".    e.    d
Our bridles were ringing, our hearts were dancing,
c".    d .................. c".    b.   b.      d.   b.    a
The water was singing, the sun was glancing,
g.      b ................... a.   g.    a b. d. a. f"
And blithely our voices rang out together,
d.   g ............................. f".    e.    f".      b.    a f" e
As we brushed the dew from the blooming heather,
d.         g.   g.   a.    b.       d.    f"
When first we rode down Ettrick.

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: maeve
Date: 17 Aug 14 - 10:18 AM

Thank you, talented John!

For what it's worth, leeneia, while it's often rewarding to compose still another tune for the words in a song, I do not believe Archie has any problem with people singing these lovely words with his lovely tune- Why would he? If we record it to sell though, then that's a call for royalty payments.

Love this song!
Maeve

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 15 Oct 16 - 12:08 AM

Castlebay has recorded a version of Ettrick (via Anne Dodson) on our album "Ae Fond Kiss".Although Archie Fisher sings a version of it, Lady Scott did write a tune for it. This song is listed as "When first we rode down Ettrick", on page 46 in Thirty songs by Lady John Scott, Patterson & sons 1910
https://archive.org/details/thirtysongs00scot

Also this
from SONGS AND VERSES BY LADY JOHN SCOTT
Printed by R. and R. Clark, Limited
EDINBURGH : DAVID DOUGLAS 1904

No one was more humble about her own
performances. She was so unfeignedly pleased
if any one liked a song she had made, and she was
always willing to give it away. Her dislike of
publicity was the reason so few have ever been
printed. After the Crimean War she gave " Annie
Laurie " and several others to Lonsdale to publish
for a bazaar for the widows and orphans of soldiers
who had been killed. Some more were published
later for another charity, but most of her songs are
still in the original MS. She copied with her own
hand a complete set for her lifelong friend, the
late Lord Napier ; and this collection lent to me
by the Dowager Lady Napier has been of the
greatest help in putting together the volume of
Lady John's music which I hope to bring out very
shortly.

BTW, it is NOT about the battle of Flodden. Lady Scott suffered the death of many friends and family- this song is most likely about her beloved husband who died in the winter of 1859.

best- Julia

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Oct 16 - 08:02 AM

Here's LJS's tune.

X:1
T:When We First Rade Down Ettrick
C:Lady John Scott (Alicia Anne Spottiswoode)
S:Thirty Songs by Lady John Scott, 1910
B:my own copy, given to James Henderson in 1910 by Donald Ross (the editor)
M:2/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=60 "Lento"
K:CMin
 A/G/ |c2  GF |(ED) HC
w:When we first rade down Et-*trick,
M:6/8
(D/E/)|FFF FEF| G2G  GF
w:Our* brid-les were ring-ing, our hearts were danc-ing,
 E    |FFF FGA| B2B  BA
w:The wat-ers were sing-ing, the sun was glanc-ing,
(G/G/)|FGA BAG|(FE)F GA
w:An'* blithe-ly our voi-ces rang out* the-gith-er
 B/B/ |c2G BAG| B2B  Bc
w:As we brushed the dew frae the bloom-ing heath-er
M:2/4
 B/B/ |e2  dc |(c>d) c
w:When we first rade down Et-*trick,
 A/G/ |c2  GF |(ED)  C|]
w:When we first rade down Et-*trick.

Doesn't sound at all traditional, but I don't see why that shouldn't work in a modern performance.


I didn't realize you stressed "Ettrick" on the second syllable.

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 15 Oct 16 - 08:43 AM

Thanks so much for this Jack.
I would say, since she wrote both words and the tune that it doesn't necessarily need to sound "traditional" whatever that means.*grin* She wrote it in the mid 1800's,arguably 150 years ago, so if one were doing a period re-enactment, it would be appropriate for the time.
Just for the sake of discussion, does the fact that Archie Fisher is a "folk" musician make his tune more "traditional"?

cheers- Julia

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Oct 16 - 09:23 AM

Nope. His tune is just as far removed from Scottish traditional idiom as LJS's was. (I actually prefer LJS's).

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 15 Oct 16 - 01:39 PM

ahah!
It's so interesting to hear different versions as well as different singers doing the same song..
I say, whatever serves the song and moves the singer and the audience!
best- Julia

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 16 - 06:23 PM

Janet Russell sings this song on her recording "Bright Shining Morning". It is pretty much the same tune that Archie Fisher uses. I've transcribed the tune from Janet's recording here (pdf file) and here's a midi. It's much easier to get a melody from Janet's recording that from Archie's.

A beautiful and haunting song.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: Stewart
Date: 17 Oct 16 - 06:26 PM

That's me above, sans cookie. Sorry

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Origins/Tune Req: Ettrick
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 16 - 05:48 PM

refresh