Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will

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Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will

25 Aug 03 - 10:44 AM (#1007776)
Subject: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: GUEST,nancyjo

I'm looking for the lyrics to a Scottish folk tune that the patron thinks starts like this:

As I came up to Garrick,
just by the bridge of Dee,
i a saw a little robin
a'sittin in a tree.

I did a keyword search in mudcat for Garrick, but only came up with the composer David. Anyone know this tune? Thanks.

nancyjo

25 Aug 03 - 11:38 AM (#1007800)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE ROBIN'S LAST WILL
From: Malcolm Douglas

It's fairly old, and known by a number of titles. Found mainly in Scotland, it appears, but also in the North of England. There are several texts in the Digital Tradition database: Robin Redbriest's Testament. They don't include the fragement you quoted, though; here is a set from Northumberland which does:

THE ROBIN'S LAST WILL

(From the Mitford family, Northumberland. M. H. Mason, Nursery Rhymes and Country Songs, 1909)

As I cam' past by Garrick,
And by the brig o' Dee,
I saw a little robin,
Sitting on a tree.
Tooraloo, tooraloo,
Tooraloora tooraloo.

I said, "My pretty robin,
Hoo lang hae ye sat here?"
He said, "I've lived upon this tree
These four and twenty year."
Tooraloo &c.

"I'm going to mak' my testament
Just here upon this tree,
I'm going to mak' my testament
This day before I dee."
Tooraloo &c.

"I'll give my pretty head,
It is baith round and sma',
Unto the boys o' Garrick,
To play at the foot-ba'."
Tooraloo &c.

I'll give my pretty legs,
They are baith slim and ta',
Unto the brig o' Garrick:
I hear it's going to fa'."
Tooraloo &c.

As little Robin ended,
He shut his pretty eyes,
And doon he dropped unto the groond,
Never more to rise.
Tooraloo, tooraloo,
Tooraloora tooraloo.

Number 3900 in the Roud Folk Song Index.

25 Aug 03 - 11:56 AM (#1007805)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: Sorcha

Yo, Malcolm, tune?

25 Aug 03 - 01:45 PM (#1007860)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: Sorcha

LOL! (just keeping Mario off your case.......)

25 Aug 03 - 02:10 PM (#1007865)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: nancyjo

Thanks so much! This is just what I needed. I did a search of the database, but since I didn't know the title I guess I didn't recognize it as being the answer when it came up.

I am not new to the Mudcat site, but I am new to being a poster. So I really appreciate the help and the promptness. I am a reference librarian and receive a fair number of lyric requests.

For repaying in kind, you might keep me in mind when searching for cowboy lyrics. I have a huge collection of cowboy music, with an emphasis on yodeling.

nancyjo

10 Aug 08 - 04:35 PM (#2410027)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE ROBIN'S LAST WILL
From: GUEST,Anne

This is extremely belated but felt I wanted to give you the lyrics as I know them.

THE ROBIN'S LAST WILL

As I came past by Garrick
And by the Brig o' Dee
I saw a little robin
Sitting on a tree
Too-ra-loo, too-re-loo
too-ra-loo-raloo ra-loo

I said, "My pretty robin,
How long ha' ye sat there?"
He said, "I've lived upon this tree
These four and twenty year".
Too-ra-loo etc

"I'm going to make my testament
This day before I dee.
I'm going to make my testament
Right here upon this tree."
too-ra-loo etc.

"I'll gi' my pretty head,
It is both round and sma',
Unto the boys of Garrick
To play at their footba'.
Too-ra-loo etc.

"I'll gi' my pretty legs,
They are both strong and ta',
Unto the Brig of Garrick.
I hear its goin' to fa'."
Too-ra-loo etc.

If there are further verses I'm afraid I don't know them

10 Aug 08 - 04:52 PM (#2410036)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca

Thanks, Anne. Any help is appreciated no matter when it comes in.

10 Aug 08 - 05:24 PM (#2410045)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: GUEST

I was whistling the melody posted by Malcom some time back and ended up with Yankee Doodle. Anyone else hear it?

10 Aug 08 - 05:41 PM (#2410056)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scottish folk tune
From: GUEST,Lighter

Bird relative of Derby Ram

28 Mar 15 - 06:52 AM (#3697826)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will
From: GUEST

This tune has haunted me since early schooldays... it always, and even now was so sad it made me feel like crying. I could find no trace of it on internet until now.

I spied a little robin, twas on the brig o Dee.....
The little robin ended, and closed his tiny eyes,
and down upon the ground he fell, never more to rise.
Tooraloo tooraloo tooralooralooraloo.

Dinas Powys Primary School, Glamorgan 1950

23 Jan 16 - 11:01 AM (#3767555)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will
From: GUEST,Pat

This little song has been in my head since I was in elementary school some75 years ago. I too did not remember the last verse so am very grateful to the guest who filled me in.

25 Feb 18 - 01:31 PM (#3907885)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will
From: GUEST,a GUEST

I THINK I'VE BEATEN THE SYSTEM> I REMEMBER THIS SONG FROM THE INFANT SCHOOL I WENT TO IN 1948 BUT I REMEMBER IT SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY.
tHE TUNE WAS VERY MINOR.

05 Mar 18 - 06:10 PM (#3909661)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will
From: GUEST

It is on Spotify & Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robins-Last-Will/dp/B001GA5T0E

07 Jan 22 - 08:02 PM (#4131464)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Robin's Last Will
From: GUEST,Cwester51

Back in the 60’s we had an album of Irish/Scottish folk songs

The last verse:

The little robin ended
He closed his eyes
Down upon the ground he fell
Never more to rise
The the chorus