02 Apr 00 - 02:27 PM (#205665) Subject: lizzy lindsay From: Pixie I heard a song at the Harbour Folk Society (Halifax) played by Ardyth and Jennifter (celtic Harpists)and think Lizzy Lindsay is the name of it...can anyone supply lyrics? |
02 Apr 00 - 02:44 PM (#205670) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Jon Freeman Lizzie Lindsay Jon |
02 Apr 00 - 02:46 PM (#205671) Subject: Lyr Add: LIZZY LINDSAY From: GUEST,Doug Jenner From my own head: LIZZY LINDSAY CHORUS: Will ye gang tae the highlands, Lizzy Lindsay? Will ye gang tae the highlands wi'me? Will ye gang tae the highlands Lizzy Lindsay? My bride and my darling tae be?
1. Oh no, I cannot go with you, sir.
2. Oh, I fear you must know very little
3. She's kilted up her skirts of green satin, |
02 Apr 00 - 03:19 PM (#205685) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Ah, Pixie!! 8-) |
02 Apr 00 - 03:30 PM (#205688) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Oops! Oh well, to finish off. The song is an old one which John Allan Cameron use to sing. The lyrics posted above are the correct ones, as far as I've checked. It's the right story, at lease. Lovely song. |
02 Apr 00 - 04:36 PM (#205721) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Uncle_DaveO I've understood over the years that it's really not "Lizzie" Lindsay but (phonetically) "Leazie", and that it is not really a name, like Lizzie, but more of an endearment sort of on the order of sweet or pretty or darling.
Perhaps one of the experts with whom we are so blessed can clear this up. Dave Oesterreich |
02 Apr 00 - 05:39 PM (#205737) Subject: Lyr Add: LEAZIE LINDSAY From: kendall I like this version better.. LEAZIE LINDSAY Will ye gang tae the heelands Leazie Lindsay Will ye gang tae the heelands wi' me Will ye gang tae the heelands Leazie Lindsay My bride and my darling to be. To gang to the heelands wi' you sir Would bring the salt tear to my ee For I'm bound to the green fields and woodlands And the streams of my ain country. repeat refrain I'll show you the red deer a roaming On mountains where wave the tall pines And as far as the bounds of the red deer Hill moorland and mountain is mine. repeat refrain A thousand Claymores I can muster Hilt, blade, and it bearer the same While around their chieftain they rally The gallant Argyll is my name. repeat refrain There's dancing and joy in the heelands There's piping and gladness and glee For Argyll has brought hame Leazie Lindsay His bride and his darling to be. repeat refrain ^^ It's interesting to note that in one version, the "hero" is a MacDonald, and in this version, he is an Argyll, possibly a Campbell?? |
02 Apr 00 - 08:38 PM (#205804) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Timehiker I learned the MacDonald version. My source says the first four lines are by Burns, to an "old highland melody". There's always a chuckle from the audience when they learn the heros name is Ronald MacDonald. Sad fate for a nice song. take care, Timehiker |
02 Apr 00 - 09:27 PM (#205827) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: kendall thats why I cant hack that version |
02 Apr 00 - 10:39 PM (#205860) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Malcolm Douglas Dave: I'd be inclined to stick with "Lizzie" (however spelt) as a name pure and simple. Leeze me, meaning "lief is me" (an endearment of the kind you mention) is the closest thing I can find to your suggestion, and is probably a bit too much of a stretch. Always best to keep these things simple; when there's an obvious meaning, it's usually the right one! Malcolm |
02 Apr 00 - 11:12 PM (#205868) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: sophocleese Just as an experiment, I'm going to try a blue clicky thing. If it works it will lead to some light-hearted words I wrote to update the song in the light of the modern recognition for the name Ronald MacDonald. If it doesn't work... Oh well I tried. I learned the song off of a John Allen Cameron record a friend had years ago. There was a thread a while ago were the word leezie, among others, was discussed and I think that it works as an endearment this song. I had heard it as Lizzy but found it in books as Leezie. I don't think it matters if you think of it as a name or an endearment but the affectionate form is perhaps a little warmer, personal opinion only of course. Thread #18158 Message #178194 Posted By: sophocleese 14-Feb-00 - 03:10 PM Thread Name: To patronise. A discussion. Subject: RE: To patronise. A discussion.
Well okay. I'll give it a shot. Any corporations want to sponsor me? Here's what I can do. |
02 Apr 00 - 11:22 PM (#205869) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: dick greenhaus Well, it is in DigiTrad... |
02 Apr 00 - 11:26 PM (#205870) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: sophocleese I thought that was the version Jon's link led to. |
03 Apr 00 - 05:23 PM (#206175) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Pixie thanks everyone (you to George, I could've called you direct I suppose, but look what I would have missed!)..boy I love the Mudcat! Interesting how the feud between the Campbells and MacDonalds keeps rearing its head these days - more fodder for the song mill, I guess! Compliments to Sophoclese on the updated version....careful MacDonald's doesn't get hold of it and turn it into a commercial! Pixie |
03 Apr 00 - 05:56 PM (#206197) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Jon Freeman It was Sophoclese. I felt sure that there had to be a version of this one in the DT - seems to be if it's a song I've heard it's going to be in there! I am terrible with words but I think the one Doug gave is closer to the version I have heard and I certainly don't remember there being as many verses as in the DT. I also had a look in contemplator. Their version is basically the same as Doug's but with a bit more dialect. Jon |
03 Apr 00 - 11:33 PM (#206336) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca This is always the best place. I start at the library, then if I don't find what I need I ask here. I haven't made it yet to the library so I'll stop in with my request. |
04 Apr 00 - 01:32 AM (#206378) Subject: Lyr Add: LEEZIE LINDSAY From: Mark Cohen I heard this song on a National Geographic recording called, I believe, Music of Scotland, that was old when I found it in the Hershey, PA public library in 1973. The record came with a booklet of information about the music. Sadly, all I have is a scratchy cassette tape and no book. The words are close to the first version posted. Pardon my attempt to transliterate the dialect. LEEZIE LINDSAY Chorus: Will ye gang tae the hielands, Leezie Lindsay? Will ye gang tae the hielands wi' me? Will ye gang tae the hielands, Leezie Lindsay? My bride and my darlin' tae be Will I gang tae the hielands wi' you, sir I'm afraid that never will be For I know not the land that ye live in Or even the name ye go wi' Ah, noo, lassie, I think ye know little If ye say that ye don't know me For my name is Lord Ronald MacDonald A chieftain of high degree Noo she's ta'en up her skirt o' green satin She's furled it up roond her knee And she's gone with Lord Ronald MacDonald His bride and his darlin' tae be I also remember hearing somewhere, perhaps in the book that came with the record, that if you took a woman up into the Highlands it was considered a de facto marriage when you got back down. I don't let the name get in the way of the song. Sometimes I change the first name, sometimes I just sing it the way I learned it and the hell with 'em. Aloha, Mark |
04 Apr 00 - 07:33 AM (#206427) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Liz the Squeak Pixie - I was told that the (in)famous MacDonalds were still getting their revenge for Glencoe! And they are the subject of one of the longest running court cases - the Clan MacDonald are sueing them for bringing the name of MacDonald into disrepute!! LTS |
09 Nov 02 - 01:57 PM (#822317) Subject: Lyr Add: LIZZIE LINSEY From: GUEST,Eleanor_of_Aquitaine My grandmother sang a form of Lizzie Linsey I have not seen on any of these sites. Her family name was Cowgill and they came from the Borders. It's the only version I have ever heard where the handmaiden goes instead of Lizzie. The tune is also slightly different from the one on this site, though not from some other site's. It can be found at www.contemplator.com. The Macdonalds were indeed the lords of the Isles. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a Sir Robert who held them. ^^ LIZZIE LINSEY Will ye gang tae the Hielands, Lizzie Linsey, wi' me? Will ye gang tae the Hielands wi' me?, Will ye gang tae the Hielands, Lizzie Linsey, Me bride and me darlen' tae be? Tae gang tae the Hielands wi' you, Sir Robin, I dinna ken how that may be. Nor ken I the land that ye live in, Nor ken I the son I gang bree. Then up spake Lizzie's handmaiden, And a bonnie young lassie t'was she, Said, "Had I but a mark in me pocket, Your dochter I'd gladly rea'." She hae kilted her coat of green satin, She hae kilted it up tae her knee, She hae gang tae the hielands wi'Donald, His bride and his darlen' tae be. He hae led her atop a hie mountain, And hae made her look oot o'er the sea; "These isles are Sir Robert Macdonald's, And his bride and his darlen' are ye." |
09 Nov 02 - 02:44 PM (#822334) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Joe Offer Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index. -Joe Offer- Lizie Lindsay [Child 226]DESCRIPTION: A young man comes to court Lizie Lindsay, asking her to come to the Highlands with him. Neither she nor her relatives are interested. He then reveals that he is a rich lord (the Lord of the Isles?); she changes her mindAUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1796 (Scots Musical Museum) KEYWORDS: courting FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber)) US(Ap,MA,NE,So) REFERENCES (9 citations): Child 226, "Lizie Lindsay" (8 texts, 1 tune) {Bronson's #3} Bronson 226, "Lizie Lindsay" (9 versions+1 in addenda) BarryEckstormSmyth pp. 297-299, "Lizzie Lindsay" (1 text with variants, 1 tune) {Bronson's #6} Flanders-Ancient3, pp. 269-271, "Lizie Lindsay" (1 text, 1 tune) JHCoxIIA, #11, pp. 46-47, "Leezie Lindsay" (1 text, 1 tune) {Bronson's #2} Brewster 20, "Lizie Lindsay" (1 text) Ford-Vagabond, p. 314, "Leezie Lindsay" (1 short text) Randolph 29, "New Yealand" (1 fragment) DT 226, LIZLIND* Roud #94 CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "Dugall Quin" [Child 294] cf. "The Blaeberry Courtship" [Laws N19] File: C226 Go to the Ballad Search form The Ballad Index Copyright 2007 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. |
09 Nov 02 - 03:03 PM (#822346) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: DonMeixner Kendall, Thats my favorite too. That is also the version The Corries used with small mofifications. Don |
11 Nov 02 - 09:46 PM (#823874) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Jim Dixon In an attempt to find a definitive spelling, I found the following recordings listed at AMG/All Music Guide: Bonnie Leezie Lindsay - on Harry Lauder's "I Love a Lassie", 1980. Leezie Lindsay - on North Sea Gas' "Power of Scotland", 1996. Leezie Lindsay - on Ronnie Browne's "Scottish Love Songs", 1996. Leezie Lindsay - on the Armstrong Family's "Wheel of the Year", 1992. Leezie Lindsay - on the Campbells' "Power and Honesty", 1995. Leezie Lindsay - on the Culture Ceilidh Band's "After the Ceilidh", 1995. Leezie Lindsay - on various artists' "Jewels of Scotland", 1996 (performed by Carl Peterson). Leezie Lindsey - on Carl Peterson's "Flowers of Scotland", 2000. Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Celtic Collections", 1997. Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Collection", 1992. Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Essential Fureys", 2001. Leezy Lindsay - on the Fureys' "Finbar & Eddie Furey/Lonesome Boatman", 1997. Lizzie Linsey - on Noel McLoughlin's "20 Best of Scotland" 1994. |
12 Nov 02 - 01:27 AM (#823961) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: GUEST,BOAB Mark Cohen--according to my upbringing, that's IT!! |
12 Nov 02 - 09:17 AM (#824110) Subject: Lyr Add: LIZZIE LINDSAY From: Teribus Years ago, when I learned this song the name was Donald Clanranald (Clanranald, being the senior sept of the MacDonalds) The Mac Donalds of Clanranald take their name from Ranald, younger son of John, 1st Lord of the Isles. In 1373 he received a grant of the North Isles and other lands, and from him are descended the families of Moidart, Morar, Knoidart and Glengarry. The song as I was taught is as folows: LIZZIE LINDSAY Chorus: Will ye gang tae the heelands Lizzie Lindsay Will ye gang tae the heelands wi' me Will ye gang tae the heelands Lizzie Lindsay My bride and my darling to be. To gang to the heelands wi' you sir Would bring the salt tear tae ma ee At leavin' the green fields and woodlands And streams of my ain country. I'll show you the red deer a roaming On mountains where stands the tall pine And as far as the bound o' the red deer Hill moorland and mountain is mine. Chorus Tae gang tae the heelands wi' you Sir, Such a thing it never can be For I know not the land that ye come from Or even the name ye gang be By what ye say Lass ye ken little When ye say that ye dinnae ken me For my name it is Donald Clanranald I'm a Cheiftan o' High Degree A thousand Claymores I can muster Hilt, blade, and its bearer the same When around their chieftain they rally The Lord of the Isles is my name. Chorus She's kilted her gown o' fine satin And pettycoats over her knee And she's gone wi her Donald Clanranald His Bride and his Darlin' tae be. There's dancing and joy in the Sheilin There's piping and gladness and glee For oor Chieftan's brought hame Lizzie Lindsay His bride and his darling to be. |
12 Nov 02 - 01:52 PM (#824368) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Jim McLean That last verse doesn't sound right. The sheilin is a mountain hut where shepherds shelter in bad weather. Jim McLean |
22 Sep 06 - 01:19 AM (#1840535) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: GUEST,Angela MacDonald I first heard this song being sung by a guest singer on the show,The Irish Rovers,back in the mid 70's. I thought the singer said, Will ye go to the Highlands,pretty Lindsay. I was pregnant at the time and loved the melody and the lyrics so I decided to name my baby Lindsay if a girl. Well, I had a son , but several years later, I did have a daughter who is now 24 years old named Lindsay and as beautiful as the melody of this old song. |
22 Sep 06 - 01:56 AM (#1840542) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Barry Finn I can never sing "Lord Ronald MacDonald" I just crack up (& some of the listeners too) thinking it's assocated with hamburgers when it's such a beautiful, even if at some times overdone, song. It scans very well by just dropping the "Ronald" from the tradition. I sing the version that's in the DT but KenDoll, I do like your version. Why don't you come to the Getaway & sing it. "HINT". PLEASE Barry |
22 Sep 06 - 05:17 AM (#1840639) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Paul Burke Just change McDonald to McGregor. |
22 Sep 06 - 08:44 AM (#1840750) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Vixen Any body know where can I get a recording of Joe Hickerson singing this song??? I have 3 or 4 of his CDs, and it's not on any of them. I've heard him do it twice -- at NOMAD and at Old Songs -- and it's become one of my favorites. V |
22 Sep 06 - 08:47 AM (#1840752) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Snuffy Or even simpler - change Ronald to Donald |
22 Sep 06 - 09:29 AM (#1840782) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Selchie - (RH) I do :-) |
22 Sep 06 - 09:42 AM (#1840792) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Snuffy I know :-) |
22 Sep 06 - 10:18 AM (#1840813) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: leeneia I decided to see what my unabridged dictionary has to say about "leesy" as an adjective. The closest it comes is "leesome," which means "pleasant" and is "obsolete except Scotland." It's easy to imagine leesome becoming leesie. I find it hard to believe that a desirable woman would be called "Lizzie." To me it sounds almost derogatory, as in "Tin Lizzie" for a model-T Ford or the deathless line: Go get the axe; there's a flea in Lizzie's ear... On the other hand, isn't using Lindsay for a given name a recent development? Curiouser and curiouser. |
22 Sep 06 - 11:51 AM (#1840888) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Maryrrf I really like that song and my version is similar to Kendall's. But I never sing the Ronald McDonald part. I substitute "I am the young laird McDonald". The clown image would ruin the song. |
22 Sep 06 - 04:41 PM (#1841071) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Snuffy What's wrong with "Lizzie"? An affectionate shortening of Elizabeth. Desirability has little to do with your name: "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Lindsay is one of those names that belong to both boys and girls: Hilary, Vivian, Jordan, etc. Many girls are Lindsey (with an E) |
22 Sep 06 - 05:49 PM (#1841128) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Helen My first exposure to live folk music, when I was about 16, was a concert in our country town with performers who I later found out were local legends in the folk scene, associated with the Maitland Bush Band, like Bobby Campbell and Brad Tate and a wild looking red-haired, red-bearded bloke by the name of Bill Morgan. And it was Bill Morgan who sang an unaccompanied (I think) version of Leezie Lindsay. When I went to Uni a couple of years later I found the Child Ballad books in the library and the first song I looked up in it was Leezie Lindsay. I also sought out the Newcastle Folk Club and started going to the Newcastle Folk Festivals. So this song is special to me. Helen |
23 Sep 06 - 05:41 PM (#1841649) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: Willie-O Sentimental Mudcat Note: When I acquired a certain guitar from the now sadly missed Rick Fielding, he told me "Leazy Lindsay" was the first song he ever played on it for Heather when courting her. And the only request he made of me (aside from offering the guitar back to him if I ever tired of it!) was to play it now and then so the guitar would remember. Well I have yet to get around to it and am now totally confused as to what lyric to use! One of these days...lovely song always. I have Barry's same reaction to the "Lord Ronald McDonald" line though...a justifiable change is in order. W-O |
28 Oct 07 - 06:14 PM (#2181246) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: GUEST,Sara Campbell I'm only sixteen, so what do I know, but my Da always sang it the way Kendall reported it. "Gallant Argyll is my name." The Corries sing it that way also. BTW, if you like the Corries, there are lots of their songs on youtube. I've NEVER heard the MacDonald versions before, ever. The Argyll version completely avoids thoughts of beefburgers... OMG! I just saw that "Will ye gang tae the burgers Fast Leezie?" posted by sophocleese! That is too funny! I'm going to show it to Da! |
03 Mar 08 - 08:55 PM (#2278852) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: GUEST,D MacNeil Check out Black Pool's version.... band from Halifax,NS no longer together but worth a listen.... |
04 Mar 08 - 11:21 AM (#2279249) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lizzy lindsay From: GUEST,leeneia There's dancing and joy in the Sheilin There's piping and gladness and glee For oor Chieftan's brought hame Lizzie Lindsay His bride and his darling to be. Jim McLean observes: 'That last verse doesn't sound right. The sheilin is a mountain hut where shepherds shelter in bad weather.' Well, Jim, careful reading of what Ronald McDonald has to offer yields no mention of a stately home or even an old castle. Perhaps he's going to roll her in his plaid every night. Serious question - what sort of dwelling would a Highland chieftain have had in the late 17th to early 18th centuries? Further, when she says, 'For I'm bound to the green fields and woodlands And the streams of my ain country,' she is referring to the abundance and comforts of life in a fertile, agricultural district. In the Hielands, she will have to forego the traditional two veg with her baron of red deer. Another thought - maybe the reason northern maidens were always running off with gypsy laddies was that their cute little wagons looked so snug and warm. |
05 Sep 09 - 09:19 PM (#2717174) Subject: DT Corr???: Lizzie Lindsay From: Joe Offer I'm looking for a singable version of this song that won't make me sound ridiculous attempting a Scottish accent, so a Joe Hickerson version might suit me well. Vixen asked above but didn't get an answer. Is there a Joe Hickerson recording of the song? Apparently, it's his version that appears in the Digital Tradition, and it's quite different from all the rest. Is it an authentic traditional version? The second and third verses make me wonder. -Joe- Here's the DT version. I've added a couple of proposed corrections to what I view as mistakes. Am I correct in my corrections?? Maybe the DT IS correct. I dunno. LIZZIE LINDSAY "Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay, Will ye gang tae the hielands wi' me? Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay, My bride and my darling to be?" Then I spoke tae Lizzie's old mother, And a cantie old body was she, "Mon, if I was as young as my daughter, I'd gang tae the hielands wi' thee." Then I spoke tae Lizzie's wee sister, And a bonnie wee lassie was she, "Mon, if I was as old as my sister, I'd gang tae the hielands wi' thee." "But to gang to the hielands wi' you, sir, I dinna ken how For I ken no' the land that you live in, Nor I ken no' the lad I'm goin' wi'." "Oh, Lizzie, I maun you When I see that you dinna ken me, My name is Lord Ranald McDonald, I'm a chieftain of high degree So she kilted her coats of green satin, And she kilted them up to her knee, And she's off His bride and his darling tae be. from singing of Joe Hickerson 1984 @Scottish @courtship Child #226 Roud-94 recorded by Belle Stewart and Nye Early English Ballads filename[ LIZLIND TUNE FILE: LIZLIND CLICK TO PLAY SOF |
05 Sep 09 - 10:24 PM (#2717227) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Fidjit Lord Ranald McDonald Is he that chap you see sitting outside the Big Mack and Cheese Burger places? Chas |
05 Sep 09 - 10:45 PM (#2717236) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Joe Offer That's a constant problem with this song, Chas. Is it better to change it and not distract the audience with anachronistic hamburger references? -Joe- |
05 Sep 09 - 11:00 PM (#2717240) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Bill D I have some recorded choices of this. Alex Campbell has a nice, short one. |
05 Sep 09 - 11:09 PM (#2717243) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Bill D ...but I don't seem to have a Joe Hickerson version.... |
06 Sep 09 - 05:37 PM (#2717625) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Tootler I found this set of words. They are attributed to a Robert Allan who lived from 1774 to 1841 "Will ye gang tae the Heilands, Leezie Lindsay? Will ye gang tae the Heilands wi' me? Will ye gang tae the Heilands, Leezie Lindsay, My bride and my darling tae be?" "To gang to the Heilands wi' you, Sir, I dinna ken how that may be, For I ken nae the road I am gaeing, Nor yet wha I'm gaun wi'." "O, Leezie, lass, ye maun ken little, Syne ye dinna ken me; For I am Lord Ronald MacDonald, A Chieftain o' high degree." "Oh, if ye're the Laird of MacDonald, A great ane I ken ye maun be; But how can a chieftain sae mighty Think o' a puir lassie like me?" She has gotten a gown o' green satin. She has kilted them up tae her knee, And she's aff wi' Lord Ronald MacDonald, His bride and his darling tae be. Copied from www.rampantscotland.com The various versions in Child tell a similar story but with added detail which takes off the romantic gloss somewhat. |
18 Dec 09 - 10:59 PM (#2791765) Subject: ADD Version: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Joe Offer Joe Hickerson sent me his version. Lets' see how close it is to the version in the Digital Tradition, which is alleged to come from the singing of Joe Hickerson.
Now, I have to say that the quirky bits about the mother and sister sound like something Joe would like, but maybe the DT version isn't from Joe. -Joe Offer- |
19 Dec 09 - 01:47 PM (#2792129) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Sandy Mc Lean Well Ronald MacDonald would have been a Gaelic speaking Highlander but the song has him speaking in the first person using Lowland dialect or accent. That just never fit with me. Not only did McDonalds fast fooders make a clown out of Ronald but they tried to trademark his last name for their exclusive use. |
19 Dec 09 - 06:33 PM (#2792380) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,AllanC "a Gaelic speaking Highlander using Lowland dialect or accent" I don't really see what would be so unusual in that. In versions of the ballad it is one of the Highland clan elites visiting Edinburgh. We're not talking ordinary MacDonald clansmen so surely some of the Highland chiefs would have been bilingual? Speaking not only Gaelic but getting by in Scots too. How else would they have communicated with ordinary women in Edinburgh? |
19 Dec 09 - 07:54 PM (#2792436) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Digression- Sandy McLean brings up McDonald's restaurants, the name of which comes from Dick and Mac McDonald who opened a Bar-B-Q in San Berrardino, California, in 1940. The restaurant name has nothing to do with Scotland. In 1954, Ray Croc found out the brothers were looking for a national franchising agent, and in 1965 opened one in Des Plaines, Illinois. Of course the name was copyrighted to protect it for the restaurants, the number of which increased rapidly, carrying the Golden Arches around the world. |
19 Dec 09 - 09:05 PM (#2792483) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Sandy Mc Lean Q, you can't copyright a name but you can sometimes trademark it. I believe that Croc and his legal enforcers tried to shut down any restaurant carrying the name. It seems that there was a court case involving a real MacDonald that was thrown out putting an end to any ownership claim on the name. Something like this: Judge to defendant: "What is your name?" defendant: "Joseph MacDonald." Judge to complainant:" What is your name?" complainant: "Ray Croc." Judge: "Claim denied and case dismissed!" Simplified of course but the gist of the case in a nutshell. Croc did however successfully trademark the Golden Arches symbol. |
19 Dec 09 - 09:32 PM (#2792493) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Right, trademark; my error. Results of suits over 'Mc' something-or-other have been mixed. Win a few, lose a few. |
25 Jan 12 - 01:58 AM (#3295862) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,Dave Rado The DT lyrics are unlike anything I've ever seen anywhere else - it's really weird that DT should have used those ones. And given their stated source doesn't seem to use those lyrics either, it's even stranger. I'm very curious about the origin of the song. Did Burns really write what is now the chorus and nothing more? One of the posts in the thread implies that's the case, and also, I note that only the chorus appears on any Burns website. But if Burns put the words to the "old highland melody" then that seems very odd - how could he have done so without writing at least one verse? Or did Burns write a one verse poem that was later converted into the chorus of a song by Robert Allan, who also wrote the rest of the song and added the music to it, all after Burns died? These days there seem to be basically two versions sung: the version attributed to Robert Allan in a post above, with its references to MacDonald, but no mention of deer, and no mention of feasting and joy (which is basically the version Gaberlunzie, among many others, sing); and the version posted by Kendall above, which is the version The Corries sing (although Ronnie Browne sometimes sings the other version.) The Corries'/Kendall version with its mention of Argyll is clearly a Campbell song, while the other version is clearly a MacDonald song (reflecting the feud between those clans). But then Teribus posted a version that basically contains all of the verses used in both of the other two versions, including the references to red deer and feasting (but not the DT outlier verses which seems to be a very strange anomaly); but the version Teribus posted is clearly still a MacDonald version rather than a Campbell one. So I'm wondering what order these versions evolved in? For instance was this it: 1) Burns writes a one-verse poem. 2) After Burns dies, Robert Allan turns the poem into the chorus for a song, adds four verses and attaches a traditional melody. (As in this post). 3) Four more verses get added, making 8 verses in all (as in this post).; 4) Members of the MacDonald clan mostly don't sing the four new verses, even though they're poetically-speaking the four nicest verses in the song (which seems strange, but I can't think of a better theory) - but instead stick to the original Robert Allan verses. 5) On the other hand, members of the Campbell clan love the tune, but hate the Allan verses with their references to MacDonald, so pinch the chorus, the tune, and the four verses that had been added after Allan wrote it, dropping the four verses that Allan wrote. Thus through a quirk of fate, the Campbells end up singing the poetically more beautiful verses, although they were probably written by an anonymous MacDonald; and most MacDonalds end up singing the less poetic verses. 6) A small minority of MacDonalds continue to sing all 8 verses (hence that's the version Teribus was taught). 7) 20th century folk singers almost all sing one of the two 4-verse versions (the Campbell or MacDonald versions), not based on clan loyalty any more, but just based on which version they happened to hear, or if they've heard both, on which they preferred. Does that seem like an accurate summary? Or can anyone suggest a more likely sequence of events? |
25 Jan 12 - 02:53 AM (#3295872) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Sandy Mc Lean To add to the confusion: Argyle is a county in the Highlands but it is also the old clan title for the chief of the Campbell clan. The chief carried the title "Duke of Argyle." He would hace been a "chief" , not a "chieftain." The chief of the clan Donald (MacDonald)carried the title "Lord of The Isles" and he would also be a chief. There is a difference between "chief" and "chieftain" that perhaps should be defined: A chief is the overall leader of the clan while a chieftain is the leader of a subordinate group. A subordinate faction of Clan Donald was Clanranald (Ranald's family), and it was probably its most powerful cadet. The Gaelic pronounciation for Ranald sounds like Ronald to an English ear. Therefore he would have been a "chieftain" of highest degree. All of that being said I don't know who Lizzy was! |
25 Jan 12 - 09:03 AM (#3295972) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,Dave Rado Hi Sandy - you're not adding to the confusion, you're just adding detail that I should really have included at least some of in my post - thanks. In point 5) of my sequence above I should also have said that when the Campbells nicked the four verses and chorus that they liked from the 8-verse version, and made it into their own song, they must at that point have added the references to Argyll, who, as you say, was the head of their clan, and their equivalent in status to Lord Ranald McDonald. One thing that does add confusion is that it strikes me as unlikely, now I think about it, that the one-verse poem attributed to Burns, which now forms the chorus of the song, could really have been written by him - it's not up to his usual standards, especially as a complete poem. But he was a collector as well as a writer of folk songs, so maybe he just collected what was then a one-verse ditty, published it, it got wrongly attributed to him, with the remainder of the sequence of events still being as I postulated above? Do you agree that the sequence of events I described seems likely? |
25 Jan 12 - 11:49 AM (#3296078) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,Allan Conn Thia is a version I have in a Scottish ballad collection. It's Childe 226C and called "Donald of the Isles" Childe collected various versions. In this one Lizie goes with Donald without knowing he's a clan leader. In fact he tells her he is very poor. 226C.1 WHAT wad ye gie to me, mither, What wad ye gie to me, If I wad go to Edinbruch city And bring hame Lizie Lindsey to thee?' 226C.2 'Meikle wad I gie to thee, Donald, Meikle wad I gie to thee, If ye wad gang to Edinbruch city And court her as in povertie.' 226C.3 Whan he cam to Edinbruch city, And there a while to resort, He called on fair Lizie Lindsey, Wha lived at the Canongate-Port. 226C.4 'Will ye gang to the Hielands, Lizie Lindsey? Will ye gae to the Hielands wi me? And I will gie ye a cup o the curds, Likewise a cup of green whey. 226C.5 'And I will gie ye a bed o green threshes, Likewise a happing o grey, If ye will gae to the Hielands, Lizie Lindsey, If ye'll gae to the Hielands wi me.' 226C.6 'How can I gang?' says Lizie Lindsey, 'How can I gang wi thee? I dinna ken whare I am gaing, Nor wha I am gaing wi.' 226C.7 'My father is a cowper o cattle, My mither is an auld dey; My name is Donald Macdonald, My name I'll never deny.' 226C.8 Doun cam Lizie Lindsey's father, A revrend auld gentleman was he: 'If ye steal awa my dochter, Hie hanged ye sall be.' 226C.9 He turned him round on his heel And [a] licht lauch gied he; 'There is na law in a' Edinbruch city This day that can hang me.' 226C.10 It's doun cam Lizie's hand-maid, A bonnie young lass was she: 'If I had ae crown in a' the warld, Awa wi that fellow I'd gae.' 226C.11 'Do ye say sae to me, Nelly? Do ye say sae to me? Wad ye leave your father and mither, And awa wi that fellow wad gae?' 226C.12 She has kilted her coats o green silk A little below her knee, And she's awa to the Hielands wi Donald, To bear him companie. 226C.13 And whan they cam to the vallies The hie hills war coverd wi snow, Which caused monie a saut tear From Lizie's een to flow. 226C.14 'O, gin I war in Edinbruch city, And safe in my ain countrie, O, gin I war in Edinbruch city, The Hielands shoud never see me.' 226C.15 'O haud your tongue, Lizie Lindsey, Na mair o that let me see; I'll tak ye back to Edinbruch city, And safe to your ain countrie.' 226C.16 RR'rrThough I war in Edinbruch city, And safe in my ain countrie, Though I war in Edinbruch city, O wha wad care for me!' 226C.17 Whan they cam to the shiels o Kilcushneuch, Out there cam an auld dey: 'Ye're welcome here, Sir Donald, You and your lady gay.' 226C.18 'Ca me na mair Sir Donald, But ca me Donald your son, And I'll ca ye my auld mither, Till the lang winter nicht is begun.' 226C.19 'A' this was spoken in Erse, That Lizie micht na ken; A' this was spoken in Erse, And syne the broad English began. 226C.20 'Ye'll gae and mak to our supper A cup o the curds and whey, And ye'll mak a bed o green threshes, Likewise a happing o grey.' * * * * * 226C.21 'Won up, won up, Lizie Lindsey, Ye've lain oure lang in the day; Ye micht hae been helping my mither To milk the ewes and the kye.' 226C.22 Then up got Lizie Lindsey, And the tear blindit her ee: 'O, gin I war in Edinbruch city, The Hielands shoud never see me!' 226C.23 'Won up, won up, Lizie Lindsey, A fairer sicht ye hae to see; Do ye see yon bonnie braw castle? Lady o it ye will be.' |
26 Jan 12 - 05:00 PM (#3296860) Subject: ADD Version: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,guest The version of lizzy lindsay I sing is a composite of child versions LEEZIE LINDSAY Will ye gang to the highlands Leezie Lindsay,Will ye gang to the Highlands wi' me Will Ye gang to the Highlands Leezie Lindsay my bride and my darlin' tae be. Then he spoke tae Lizzie's old mother, And a cantie old body was she, "Mon, if I was as young as my daughter,I wad gang tae the hielands wi' thee." "But to gang to the Hielands wi' you, sir,I dinna ken how that may be, For I ken no' the land that you live in,Nor I ken no' the lad I'm goin' wi'." My name is young Donald McDonnal my name I'll never deny My father is an auld shepherd, my mither she milks the kye So she kilted her coats of green satin , and she kilted them up to her knee, And she's of wi' young donald McDonald his bride and his darling tae be. When they came near the end o' their journey to the hoose o' his father's milk dey He said stay there a while Lizzie Lindsay till I tell my mither o' thee. No mak, us a supper dear mither the best o' your curds and cream whey, An mak us a bed o' green rushes, a pillow and coverin' o' grey. Rise up , rise up Lizzie Lindsay, ye hae lain ower lang in the day. You should have been helpin my mither tae milk her ewes and kye. Then up spak the bonny young lady, as the saut tearsthey drapt frae her eye. I wish I had bided at hame I can neither milk ewes nor kye. I wish I had bided at hame, the Highlands I never had seen. though I love young Donald Mc Donald the laddie wi' the bonnie blue een. "Oh, Lizzie, you must hae kennet little, when you dinna ken me, My name is Lord Ranald McDonald, I'm a chieften o' high degree." Win up, win up lizzie Lindsay , fora fairer sicht we hae tae see I'll show you Kingcaussie Castle an' Lady o' it ye will be. I use the usual "singing together tune" for Lord Ranald verses and the one in "kist of riches" sung by Belle Stewart for Leezie' verses as it is too long in one tune. The story makes more sense in the longer versions and I wonder when it was shortened .Only ballad bores like me seem to sing the long song. |
26 Jan 12 - 11:41 PM (#3296988) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Sandy Mc Lean Dave, I first learned this song from John Allan Cameron. I really don't know much about it's history. John Allan's Cape Breton home was in Glencoe, a place where MacDonalds and Campbells lived in harmony side by side on this side of the pond, despite the events of their forebearers in Scotland. He sang the MacDonald version. I do believe that Burn's mother was a Campbell. |
27 Jan 12 - 04:22 AM (#3297056) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: Jim McLean Burns's mother was Agnes Brown from Ayrshire. |
27 Jan 12 - 11:22 AM (#3297253) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,Allan Conn Yes Jim the four surnames for the respective grand-parents of Burns were Burness, Keith, Brown and Rainie. |
17 Feb 12 - 03:37 AM (#3309909) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST I'm 24 and grew up listening to my great uncle singing me this song.... My name is lyndsey Elizabeth .... And have always understood that leezy was a pet name for Elizabeth .... When I get married I hope he will be around to sing it at my wedding! =D |
17 Feb 12 - 11:56 PM (#3310390) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,leeneia That's a lovely memory. I hope he lives that long, too. |
18 Feb 12 - 11:39 PM (#3310832) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,julia L We do a version brought to Maine from Galloway where Lizzie refuses to go with Mac Donald "for the road it is lang and the nicht it is murk". Very practical lassie, oor Lizzie. Julia |
19 Feb 12 - 03:53 AM (#3310864) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: sciencegeek Alex Campbell did this on his 1963 album, The Best Loved Songs of Bonnie Scotland, which I nearly wore out from constant playing.. lol. His version only had the 3 verses & chorus. Gads! I just realized that I've been sing that song for close to 50 years.... |
18 Apr 13 - 04:57 AM (#3505174) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,jacklfan I was looking for the words as sung by Eddi Reader. Why are they so different to what I see here? Please enlighten an ignorant Irish lass. :-) |
18 Apr 13 - 05:57 AM (#3505202) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,Wee Jock Eddi Reader's version is a rewrite by herself and others thus making the song of today. Border Crossing folk duo which i am a member do this version, but also include two of traditional verses which combines with Eddi's rewrite thus making it a great song to sing. |
10 Feb 18 - 07:56 AM (#3904768) Subject: Lyr Add: LIZIE LINDSAY (from Jamieson, 1806) From: Jim Dixon From Popular Ballads and Songs, Volume 2 by Robert Jamieson (Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Co., 1806), page 149: LIZIE LINDSAY. Transmitted to the Editor by Professor Scott of Aberdeen, as it was taken down from the recitation of an Old Woman. It is very popular in the north east of Scotland, and was familiar to the editor in his early youth; and from the imperfect recollection which he still retains of it, he has corrected the text in two or three unimportant passages. "Will ye go to the Highlands, Lizie Lindsay, Will ye go to the Highlands wi' me Will ye go to the Highlands, Lizie Lindsay, And dine on fresh cruds and green whey?" Then out spak Lizie's mother, A good old lady was she, "Gin ye say sic a word to my daughter, I'll gar ye be hanged high." "Keep weel your daughter frae me, madam; Keep weel your daughter frae me; I care as little for your daughter, As ye can care for me." Then out spak Lizie's ain maiden, A bonny young lassie was she; Says,--"were I the heir to a kingdom, Awa' wi' young Donald I'd be." "O say you sae to me, Nelly? And does my Nelly say sae? Maun I leave my father and mother, Awa' wi' young Donald to gae?" And Lizie's ta'en till her her stockings, And Lizie's ta'en till her her shoen; And kilted up her green claithing, And awa' wi' young Donald she's gane. The road it was lang and weary; The braes they were ill to climb; Bonny Lizie was weary wi' travelling, And a fit furder coudna win. And sair, O sair did she sigh, And the saut tear blin'd her e'e; "Gin this be the pleasures o' looing, They never will do wi' me!" "Now, haud your tongue, bonny Lizie; Ye never shall rue for me; Gi'e me but your love for my love, It is a that your tocher will be. "And haud your tongue, bonny Lizie; Altho' that the gait seem lang, And you's ha'e the wale o' good living Whan to Kincawsen we gang. "There my father he is an auld cobler, My mother she is an auld dey; And we'll sleep on a bed o' green rashes, And dine on fresh cruds and green whey." * * * * * * * * * * "You're welcome hame, Sir Donald, You're welcome hame to me." "O ca' me nae mair sir Donald; There's a bonny young lady to come; Sae ca' me nae mair Sir Donald, But ae spring Donald your son." "Ye're welcome hame, young Donald; Ye're welcome hame to me; Ye're welcome hame, young Donald, And your bonny young lady wi' ye." She's made them a bed of green rashes, Weel cover'd wi' hooding o' grey; Bonny Lizie was weary wi' travelling, And lay till 'twas lang o' the day. "The sun looks in o'er the hill-head, And the laverock is liltin' gay; Get up, get up, bonny Lizie, You've lain till its lang o' the day. "You might ha'e been out at the shealin, Instead o' sae lang to lye, And up and helping my mother To milk baith her gaits and kye. Then out spak Lizie Lindsay, The tear blindit her eye; "The ladies o' Edinburgh city They neither milk gaits nor kye." Then up spak young Sir Donald, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "For I am the laird o' Kincawsyn, And you are the lady free; And * * * * * * * * * * * |
12 Feb 18 - 01:50 PM (#3905203) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST,julia L here's the Maine/ NB version which seems to be the only one where she refuses. The tune is in a bouncy 4/4 rather than the usual 3/4 LIZZIE LINDSAY from British Ballads from Maine by Phillips Barry circa 1925 collected by Fanny Eckstorm from Margaret McGill Chamcook NB Canada / born in Galloway, Scotland Chorus "Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay, Will ye gang tae the hielands wi' me? Will ye gang tae the hielands, Lizzie Lindsay, My bride and my darling to be?" Oh what ha’e ye got in the hielan’s? Oh what ha’e ye got, quo’ she Oh what ha’e ye got in the hielan’s, kind sir, Gin I gang tae the hielan’s wi’ ye? Chorus Oh I ha’e got a hoose in the hielan’s Oh I ha’e got a fine ha’ Oh I ha’e got a hoose in the hielan’s A hoose in the hielan’s for ye Chorus I’ll no gang tae the hielan’s wi’ you, sir I’ll no gang tae the hielan’s wi’ ye For the road it is lang an’ the nicht it is mirk I’ll no gang tae the hielan’s wi’ ye |
01 Apr 18 - 12:02 PM (#3914518) Subject: RE: Origins: Lizzy Lindsay (Child 226) From: GUEST I have brought the lyrics a bit more up to date in 2 of the verses: Oh, I fear you must know very little If you know not the lad ye gae wi', For my name is Lord Ronald McDonald, And I own a Fast Food Company She's kilted up her skirts of green satin, And she's kilted them up round her knee, And she's gone with Lord Ronald McDonald, His new Sales Director tae be. |