Origins: Tam Glen (Robert Burns)

Subject: Tam Glen
From: Alice
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 09:49 AM

This is one of my favorite Robert Burns songs to sing. You can now hear it, with piano accompaniment (the first song I've uploaded that is not a capella) at this page:

TAM GLEN

My friend and accompanist Carol Dailey wrote and performed the piano arrangement.

The lyrics are already in the DT.

Alice

Subject: RE: Tam Glen
From: Allan C.
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 10:03 AM

Carol's excellently inventive piano arrangement is the perfect compliment to Alice's lovely performance of this wonderful song.

Subject: RE: Tam Glen
From: Alice
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 04:18 PM

Here is Carol Dailey's website,click here, where you can order the sheet music of her arrangement of Tam Glen.

Subject: RE: Tam Glen
From: Alice
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 05:06 PM

Ok, I thought I understood this song when I sang it, but now I am asking for translation of the line "in poortith I might make a fen' ". Thanks.

Alice

Subject: RE: Tam Glen
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 05:59 PM

The tune for Burns' song (with music in 'Scots Musical Museum', #296, 1790) was entitled "The Merry Beggars" in Oswald's CPC book 9, and is that called "My name is old Hewson the Cobbler" in the ballad opera 'The Jovial Crew', 1731. ABCs of both are T009A & B in the file here:
Click

Subject: RE: Tam Glen
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 08:17 PM

In poortith I might make a fen would be something on the lines of In poverty I might make a go of it.

Subject: RE: Tam Glen
From: Alice
Date: 11 Mar 02 - 09:34 AM

Thanks, Malcolm, that's what I had guessed from the context, then seeing the word "fen" can mean "when", I started to wonder if I was on the mark.

Alice

Subject: Origins: Tam Glen
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Oct 22 - 05:12 PM

Any corrections?

---

TAM GLEN
(Robert Burns)

My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie,
Some counsel unto me come len',
To anger them a'is a pity,
But what will I do wi' Tam Glen ?

I'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fellow
In poortith I might make a fen';
What care I in riches to wallow,
If I mauna marry Tam Glen ?

There's Lowrie the laird o' Dumeller:
'Guid day to you'- brute! he comes ben,
He brags and he blaws o' his siller,
But when will he dance like Tam Glen?

My minnie does constantly deave me,
And bids me beware o young men.
They flatter, she says, to deceive me-
But wha can think sae o' Tam Glen ?

My daddie says, gin I'll forsake him,
He'd gie me guid hunder marks ten.
But if it's ordain'd I maun take him,
0, wha will I get but Tam Glen?

Yestreen at the Valentines' dealing,
My heart to my mou gied a sten,
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written, Tam Glen!'

The last Halloween I was waukin
My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken-
His likeness came up the house staukin,
And the very grey breeks o' Tam Glen!

Come, counsel, dear Tittie, don't tarry!
I'll gie ye my bonie black hen,
Gif ye will advise me to marry
The lad, I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen.

tune:Merry Beggars (236)
@Scottish @courtship @love
filename[ TAMGLEN
TUNE FILE: TAMGLEN
CLICK TO PLAY
ARB

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