Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion

Subject: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: JedMarum
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:02 PM

I'd love to know more about this absolutley beautiful old song. The DT has this to say:

"The original poem was written by William Douglas of England,
1685, who was in love with Annie Laurie, the beautiful daughter
of Sir Robert Laurie, first baronet of Maxwellton. The song with
the version of the poem used here was published in 1838. It was
immensely popular with the British troops during the Crimean War."

I hae not stopped singing this one for a few weeks now - so I gave in and worked up an arrangement in VESTAPOL tuning (capoed to A). BUT, I'd love to know more, if anyone has more.

First of all, what the hell is a "Gowan Lion?" Or is it "Gowan lying" as the DT says ... And why is the dew upon it - compared to the fall of her fairy feet?? I've seen so many variations of this phrase - that I'm sure we've lost the meaning of the words ...

Anyone got a clue?

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Pistachio
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:09 PM

Delighted to offer a note from the glossary of my 'Scottish Songs' book.....gowan : daisy (like dew lying on a daisy).

Such a beautiful song - keep singing.
H

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: JedMarum
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:10 PM

OK - so I can;t type! Sorry I hope you can figure out what I as trying to say above!

It looks like gowan is the name for "various yellow flowers." So maybe, the dew falls soundlessly on these various yellow flowers - in the same manner her feet fall soundlessly - because she is so graceful and magical ... ? maybe?

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:10 PM

A yellow or white wildflower--a daisy.

The gowan isn't lying, it's the dew.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: JedMarum
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:11 PM

It was also popular during the American Civil War, and I've seen listed among some of the most popular songs of the period.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Boab
Date: 08 May 06 - 02:15 AM

Have I been mistaken in believing that "Annie Laurie " was written by
Lady Nairn? And yes---Gowans are large daisy-like flowers which are mentioned in several Scottish songs "Auld Lang Syne", "Wells o' Wearie" and "Annie Laurie" to name but three.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: masato sakurai
Date: 08 May 06 - 02:25 AM

See Annie Laurie at The Traditional Ballad Index.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 08 May 06 - 02:51 AM

Fingland (it's in Dumphries and Galloway), not England. Another DT howler...

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: IanC
Date: 08 May 06 - 06:19 AM

If you put "Annie Laurie" in the search box at the top you get more information, including This Thread.

If you want relatively accurate historical information about songs, I suggest you use a site which updates its information, like Lesley Nelson's page. Here's Lesley's entry on Annie Laurie.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 08 May 06 - 10:11 AM

Malcolm did you mean ' Dumfries and Galloway ' ?

eric

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 08 May 06 - 06:24 PM

Some more info, perhaps: Annie Laurie

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: JedMarum
Date: 08 May 06 - 10:23 PM

I made a recording of the song today. Very very simply arranged for voice and open tuned guitar - capoed high for that "music box" effect ... I will close my upcoming Civil War album with the song. I love it. What a beautful song!

Thanks for the info. I do use other resources, when researching, and did echek other Mudcat threads first. I liek the discussion part of this site, though - and realize when I need absolute facts I have to have several reliable sources.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Davetnova
Date: 09 May 06 - 03:27 AM

Maxwellton lies in Glencairn parish four miles from Moniaive (which just had it's small but very enjoyable folk festival last weekend). It is one of the most beautiful pieces of Scottish countryside I have ever had the priveledge to live in. The Maxwelltons were the main landowners for most of known history and Maxwellton house and chapel are both open to the public during the summer months. The name Fingland is a rent name , names given to farmlands usually connected with the amount of rent paid for the land, more common names being like Shillingland and Farthingland. Glencairn has a thriving Traditional music scene with a goodly number of very fine singers and musicians for such an isolated community.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: Davetnova
Date: 09 May 06 - 03:29 AM

sorry the family name is of course Maxwell, the house is Maxwellton.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 May 06 - 07:48 AM

I posted a recording of this song on Myspace. It is among 4 tracks posted there - they play randomly - so you may have have to double click on the song title to make it play.

Subject: RE: Annie Laurie and the Gowan Lion
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 May 06 - 07:51 AM

This is an American version of the song ... that is, I used American pronunciation and major key chord progression. The recording will close a colection of American Civil War songs and I thought these 'features' appropriate for that purpose.