Lyr Req: Lassie o' the Mornin' (Jack Foley)

Subject: lassie o' the Morning
From: GUEST,ashphalt
Date: 31 Mar 01 - 11:56 AM

Hi, can anyone provide me with the complete lyric to this song? There's a few Scots dialect words in it that are a bit obscure to me.

THX

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LASSIE O' THE MORNING (Jack Foley)
From: Greyeyes
Date: 31 Mar 01 - 12:20 PM

THE LASSIE O' THE MORNING
(Jack Foley)

O yince I thocht the morning sun was brighter than the e'en
When it roused the glen and warmed the earth and nestled every gean
But it faded in the warmest sicht ma hert has ever seen
The bonnie bonnie lassie o the morning
And the sparkle o her laughter ever after I'll reca'
Like the trinklin linkin jinklin as the mountain burns fa'
But the hills are empty noo, the bonnie lassie she's awa
The bonnie bonnie lassie o the morning

The morning breeze was cool as mile for mile we gaed on
Reaching for the high high lands wi secret nooks and loans
Where the rocks were worn and weathered by the freens we'd never known
Together wi ma lassie o the morning
Thro the clouds intae the sun we scrambled tae the cairn above
While the ravens flew alow us and secret words we'd have
Then the hills threw oot their airms and gaithered us intae their love
And ma ain love for the lassie o the morning

".....'The Bonnie Lassie of the Morning' written by Jack Foley. Jack is well known in the Scottish folk scene, he was the editor of The Broadsheet for some time and has written several songs. The song came from a real life experience - Jack's second great passion is walking in the mountains - but the words surely could never have come without a firm grounding in the tradition. The first two verses give a flavour of the song but again, it is a majestic tune which gives it a magic that takes it beyond the mere poetic." Taken from this site

Can't help with the dialect, but I'm sure others will be able to.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: GUEST,Ashphalt
Date: 31 Mar 01 - 04:44 PM

Cheers, Greyeyes

Ashphalt

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: GUEST,Mac Tattie
Date: 01 Apr 01 - 07:04 AM

Guest Ashphalt, Where did you hear this song and which words are you having difficuly with? This is a great song and the only "serious" one I've heard written by Jack Foley. Jack is still arround, he was a journilist for many years with the Glasgow based Daily Record and is one of the many victims of discredited, evil, thief, Robert Maxwell.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: GUEST,Ashphalt
Date: 01 Apr 01 - 12:12 PM

The words I wasn't sure of were "geans" and "freens". If you can supply the definitions, I could get on with learning the song. I have it on Archie Fisher's"Off the Map".

Ashphalt

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Apr 01 - 12:28 PM

Click ME! for Mudcat's Own Glossary of Scottish Words!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: chordstrangler
Date: 01 Apr 01 - 08:46 PM

Surely folks there is a third verse to this. I once heard Archie Fisher singing it very, very, very, late at night and I would almost swear, swear, swear, that there was a third verse!

In puzzlement....Mickey

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: John Routledge
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 07:20 AM

There are four verses in all.Will check it out. Wonderful lyrics and tune. Recorded by Bob Blair on Volume 1 of Living Tradition series

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: maeve
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 09:04 AM

Lyrics as found on the wonderful Tradition Bearers site:

This is one of my favorites, too.

maeve
***********************************

^^
The Bonnie Lassie o' the Mornin'
   
Recorded on 'Reachin for the high, high lands' by Bob Blair
The Tradition Bearers - Scots Songs and Ballads Series LTCD1001

O yince I thocht the morning sun was brighter than the e'en
When it roused the glen and warmed the earth and nestled every gean
But it faded in the warmest sicht ma hert has ever seen
The bonnie bonnie lassie o the morning
And the sparkle o her laughter ever after I'll reca'
Like the trinklin linkin jinklin as the mountain burns fa'
But the hills are empty noo, the bonnie lassie she's awa
The bonnie bonnie lassie o the morning

The morning breeze was cool as mile for mile we gaed on
Reaching for the high high lands wi secret nooks and loans
Where the rocks were worn and weathered by the freens we'd never known
Together wi ma lassie o the morning
Thro the clouds intae the sun we scrambled tae the cairn above
While the ravens flew alow us and secret words we'd have
Then the hills threw oot their airms and gaithered us intae their love
And ma ain love for the lassie o the morning"

Then doon the scree we skipped trundling happy on the heel,
We'd fa' an laugh, aince mair like bairns we did act and feel,
For we baith knew we'd grasped the joy that nane can share or steal,
When I held ma bonny lassie o' the mornin.
And a dam across the burn we built tae try tae haud its race,
But we micht has well hae tried tae haud oor wild love in one place,
For I saw the look o' the parting, soon tae come, cloud ower the face,
O ma bonny bonny lassie o' the morning.

Then wearie wi' a last daft run we jostled tae the inn,
Grippin' , slippin, trippin' seeing whaur that we had been,
Then a gratefu' gasp o' ale thankfu' for the day just din,
And ma ane thanks tae the lassie o' the morning.
A' thro' the dusk we lingered wi' nae words for us tae say.
Nae lang fareweel, 'twould break the spell we'd baith mind a' oor days,
Just a gentle touch, a kiss, a look then we turned and walked away,
And noo there'll never be another morning.

Song Notes: Journalist, mountaineer and for several years editor of the Folksong Broadsheet, Jack Foley has written in this, one of Scotland's finest modern love songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: John Routledge
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 11:15 AM

Thanks Maeve.

I found this thread was found using the new "search" powers. Don't know what the old system would have produced but 10/10 for the new one :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: Bob Blair
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 11:16 AM

I've been emailed by some folk asking for a copy of the CD - I've none left but Pete Heywood at The Living Tradition website might have some.

For those that would like a copy of The Bonnie Lassie in MP3 format (and have a broad band connection - the file is about 5Mb) email me at

[e-mail]

and I'll email you a copy

For Ashphalt above - a gean is the scots word for a wild cherry
                         freens is scots for friends

Bob

PS Just in case anyone else should ask then I will confess to some slight changes in Jack's text, only marginal however. It's a wonderful song, one of my all time favourites

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: weerover
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 03:47 PM

A few minor amendments to represent how I remember the song as sung by Jack himself:

O yince I thocht the morning sun was brighter than the e'en
As it roused the glen and warmed the earth and nestled every gean
But it faded in the warmth o' the brightes sight I've seen
Ma bonnie bonnie lassie o the morning
And the sparkle o her laughter ever after I'll reca'
Like the trinklin linkin jinklin as the mountain burns fa'
But the hills are empty noo, the bonnie lassie she's awa
The bonnie bonnie lassie o the morning

The morning breathed oot cool as mile for mile we gaed on
Reaching for yon high high lands wi secret nooks and loans
Where the rocks were worn and weathered by the freens we'd never known
Together wi the lassie o the morning
Owre the clouds intae the sun we scrambled tae the cairn above
While the ravens soared belowus and the silent words we'd have
Then the hills threw oot their airms and gaithered us intae their love
And ma ain love for the lassie o the morning"

Then doon the scree we skipped trundling happy on the heel,
We'd fa' an laugh and see oorsels, as weans once mair we'd feel,
And we baith knew we had grasped a joy that nane could share or steal,
As I held ma bonny lassie o' the mornin.
And a dyke across the burn we built tae try tae haud its race,
But we micht has well hae tried tae haud oor wild love in one place,
Then I saw the look o' the parting, soon tae come, cloud ower the face,
O ma bonny bonny lassie o' the morning.

Bane-wearie wi' one last daft run we jostled tae the inn,
Trippin' , grippin, slippin' seeing wha'd be left ahint,
Then a gratefu' gasp o' ale, thankfu' for the day just din,
And ma ane thanks tae the lassie o' the morning.
A' thro' the dusk we lingered wi' nae words for us tae say.
Nae lang fareweel, 'twould break the spell we'd baith mind a' oor days,
Just a look, a kiss, a touch, we turned and walked away,
And noo there'll never be another morning.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: Bob Blair
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 09:31 AM

Hi weerover

Somewhere I have the words that Jack gave me when I first learned the song 20-25 years ago. He originally included the name of the girl involved (Margaret) for as you probably the song was based on a true event in Glencoe.

Met Jack the other week in Glasgow at The Star Club, hes been ill for a while and couldn't talk let alone sing for a while. All OK now tho'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lassie o' the Morning
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 01:06 PM

Today, 'Lassie O' The Morning' - tomorrow, who knows - 'Lang Johnny Moore' mebbe
Jim

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LASSIE O' THE MORNIN'
From: GUEST,Jack Foley
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 11:24 AM

Only found this thread today. Thanks for all the interest in the song. Bob Blair's version of the words is the closest to the original - Archie's is the furthest away, I'm afraid!

Here is "wot I wrote", some time in the 70s:

THE LASSIE O' THE MORNIN'

Oh once Ah thocht the daybreak sun was brichter than the een
As it roused the glen and shook the earth and nestled every geen
But it faded in the warmth o' the brichtest sicht Ah've seen
The bonnie, bonnie lassie o' the mornin'
And the sparkle o' her laughter ever after Ah'll reca'
Like the trinklin', linkin', jinklin' as the mountain burnies fa'
But the hills are empty noo the bonnie lassie she's awa'
The bonnie, bonnie lassie o' the mornin'

The mornin' breathed oot cool as mile for mile we baith gaed on
Reachin' for yon high, high land wi' secret nooks and loans
Whaur the rock was worn and weathered by the friends we'd never known
Together wi' the lassie o' the mornin'
Ower the clouds and through the sun we scrambled tae the cairn above
While the raven soared alow us and the silent words we'd have
And the hills threw oot their airms and gaithered us intae oor love
My love for the lassie o' the mornin'

Then doon the scree we skippit, trundlin', happy on the heel        
We'd fa' and laugh and see oorsels as weans once mair we'd feel
And we baith knew we'd grasped a joy that nane could share or steal
As Ah held the bonnie lassie o' the mornin'
And a dyke across the burn we built tae try tae stop its race
But we micht as well hae tried tae haud oor wild love tae one place
Then Ah saw the look o' paritin'-soon-tae-come cloud ower her face
Oh my Margaret, bonnie lassie o' the mornin'

Bane-weary, wi' one last daft run, we jostled tae the inn
Trippin', grippin', slippin', seein' wha'd be left ahint
Then a gratefu' gasp o' ale, thankfu' for the day just din
And ma ain thanks for the lassie o' the mornin'
A' through the dusk we lingered wi' nae words for us tae say
Nae lang fareweel, 'twould break the spell we'd baith mind a' oor days
Just a tremblin' look, a kiss, a touch – we turned and walked away
And noo the'll never be anither mornin'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lassie o' the Morning (Jack Foley)
From: maeve
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 11:31 AM

Thank you, Jack.

maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lassie o' the Morning (Jack Foley)
From: weerover
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 04:04 PM

verse 3 line 7: partin' (or even pairtin')
verse 4 line 8: there'll never be...

A wonderful song, thanks Jack.

wr

Subject: JRE: Lyr Req: Lassie o' the Mornin' (Jack Foley)
From: GUEST,The hill man
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 06:36 PM

Heard Jim Reads version of your song
Could not believe someone else had a similarly ill fated romance among the hills to my own, and my x was a Margaret to, hope for your sake it was not the same one, mine was from Bonnybridge.