Discuss: Bonny at Morn

Subject: Bonny at Morn
From: Morticia
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 09:57 AM

I know the DT has this version blickie but I am sure I've heard other versions....does anyone have other verses?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 10:05 AM

Sorry Morticia,

That is the entirety of the original.

Can't say if anyone has added any additional contemporary verses?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 10:24 AM

They're the only words I've heard, Terri, though the first verse is usually repeated at the end, and it sounds much bigger with mega harmonies from the barn at Towersey!

Lovely song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: nutty
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 10:28 AM

Checked on Google .... over 150 sites ..... no new verses

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: Morticia
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 12:13 PM

darn....perhaps I'm wondering in my mind but I was sure there was at least one other verse which was something to do with the child falling ill....hence why it was ower lang in bed, I assume?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 12:29 PM

from the looks of it, I'd say it is a set of grandparents - complaining about the lay-about son-in-law and their daughter who have saddled them with a (growing) passle of grandkids to mind; but who don't work enough to make up for their minding the kids let alone anything else.

but maybe i'm reading too much into the last couplet....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: IanC
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 12:48 PM

MMario

Actually it's a lullaby, with tongue-in-cheek comments about the "worthlessness" of the small children being sung to.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 12:55 PM

I can see that it could be used that way - but looking at the lyrics cold - it still looks like it originally might have been g-parents complaining about the layabout younger generation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 01:03 PM

twelve lyric lines total in the verses - 4 of which are phrases which have been used historically as euphemisms for sexual congress - two which additionally have been used as euphemisms for pregnancy

combined with a repeating line about "over lang in bed" and the bit about "hinders tha mother"

what else am I suppossed to read into it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: IanC
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 01:07 PM

MMario

Don't read anything into it. It's a Northumbrian Lullaby.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: nutty
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 01:12 PM

Here's one explanation MMario

BONNY AT MORN

Bonny At Morn

A traditional song from Northumberland and taken from the Northumbrian Minstrelsy of 1882. The editors had this to say about "Bonny at Morn"; The song "Bonny at Morn" gives a pretty picture of family life. The baby awakes a little too early, but the big lad and the big lass are loathe to rise; hence the interjaculatory phrase "Thou's ower lang in thy bed" in the midst of the song. Some things don't change much, if at all!
The sheep's in the meadow, The kye's in the corn, [Thou's ower lang in thy bed], Bonny at morn. The sheep's in the meadow, The kye's in the corn, [Thou's ower lang in thy bed], Bonny at morn.
Chorus Canny at night, Bonny at morn, [Thou's ower lang in thy bed], Bonny at morn.
The bird's in the nest, The trout's in the burn, Thou hinders thy mother, In many a turn. (Repeat) Canny at night etc.
We're all laid idle, Wi' keeping the bairn, The lad winnot work, The lass winnot lairn, (Repeat) Canny at night etc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 01:42 PM

blocked...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 02:11 PM

I did a search - at https://mainlynorfolk.info/louis.killen/songs/bonnyatmorn.html they say about 'Bonny at morn' "in part it's a lullaby addressed to a baby, and in part it's reproach to a lazy son who is 'ower lang' in his bed and won't get up"

so I wasn't totaly off base....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: Morticia
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 02:49 PM

Thanks for the link Nutty....I'm playing it over and over and driving the family nuts......not because I need to learn it but just because it's such a great tune!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 03:22 PM

MMario.. you need to get out more... *grin*

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bonny at Morn
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 09:48 AM

The way I understood it, the "ower lang" bit is the mother addressing her husband who (presumably worn out from taking the baby for late night walks) has not yet arisen. The mother is hindered by having to leave her work to see to the baby. The elder siblings are also playing with the baby and not doing their bit about the house.

In a similar vein look out for Joe Wilsons "Aa wish yer muther wad come" which recounts the results of father being left literally Holding the Baby :)