Hi Everyone
For this weeks theme of "Local Traditions" I thought I would take a shot at singing some traditional old Scottish Folk songs.
The first song is called "The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lommond"
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, often considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands.
The melody to this song is well known, in my version I have added a verse which I found in a poem from the 1800s which is about the Jacobite uprising and the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Many of the words here are in the old Scots dialect ,I have left them untranslated for authenticity :).
"The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lommond"
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love spent many happy days
By the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
It was there that we parted on yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond
Where in purple hue with the the bonnie hills in view
And the moon coming out of the gloamin
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping:
The broken heart it ken's nae second spring again
But the mournful may cease fae their grieving
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
Theres an end tae this dance ,Bonnie Charlies safe in france
And the clans they hae all paid the lawing
And the hangman got his ain so we twa were left alane
Were free o Carlisle Gaol in the dawning.
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
The second song in this set is "Comin' Thro' the Rye" which is a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns .The words are put to the melody of the Scottish Minstrel "Common' Frae The Town"
"Comin thro' the rye" describes crossing a ford through the Rye Water at Drakemyre to the north of the town of Dalry in North Ayrshire which is near Robert Burns place of birth.
This is my own unique version of this tune , again many words are kept in the old Scots dialect.
"Comin' Thro' the Rye"
Kin in body meet a body
Comin' through the rye?
Kin in body kiss a body
Need a body sigh?
All the lads they hae a lass
Yet none they hae say I
But all the lassies smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye
Kin a body meet a body
Comin' frae the town?
When a body meets a body
Need a body frown?
All the lads they hae a lass
Yet none they hae say I
But all the lassies smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye
Kin in body meet a body
Comin' fae the the well?
Kin a body greet a body
Ain ye love so well
All the lads they hae a lass
Yet none they hae say I
But all the lassies smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye
Among the twain there is a swain
I dearly love masel
But what's her name and where's her hame
I dinnae care to tell
All the lads they hae a lass
Yet none they hae say I
But all the lassies smile at me
When comin' thro' the rye
The 3rd song in the set is one of my favourite songs to sing.Its called "The Parting Glass"
"The Parting Glass"
Of all the money that e'er I had, I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done, alas, it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all
Of all the friends that e'er I had, they are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had,
They would wish me one more day to stay
And so it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
A man may drink and not be drunk, a man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl and may be welcomed back again
And so it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
-If any of you are wondering what some of the old Scots words mean just leave a comment and I will translate the words and verse for you.It would be a bit much to do this in the main body of the post :)-
▶️ 3Speak
Three songs for one entry? This is a whole evening open mic :)
I really liked the third song!
Thank you for bringing the songs from your tradition @celticheartbeat
Yeah its good practice to sit down and try and get through a few songs in one sitting .Traditional folk songs are what I do best so I figured I would make a little set of it this week.
The third song , the parting glass is one of my favourite songs to sing and close a set with , Im glad you enjoyed it :).
I really love the songs and you also have an amazing voice .
Thabks for sharing 🙏🏽
Thanks for taking the time to listen and thanks so much for the kind words about my voice. I just listened to your version of "Fly me to the moon" you have a good voice to.
I remember many years ago when I was a youngun and going through a divorce from my first wife. I remember finding a cassette of Irish drinking songs and one of Frank Sinatra's greatest hits. The Parting Glass was among the tunes on the Irish tape. Those two cassettes got me through that divorce. Such a calming type of music, thank you 🖤
Yeah these songs have deep roots , good old songs for the soul , they have got me through alot these past few years.
I'm glad you enjoyed The Parting Glass its one of my favourite tunes to play and sing.
I love that you sing and play the guitar, but your voice is just beautiful.
Thanks alot ,I really appreciate hearing that :).
Muy buena entrada para esta semana, tres canciones!!, Tienes un voz hermosa @latidocelta y un gran acompañamiento, gracias por participar en esta semana , un gran abrazo✌️🌟💫🎵🎶🎤💕🌹
que bien tocas la guitarra y tu voz espectacuar, felicidades por tu aporte
This was really beautiful, great singing
Hermoso me encantó tu entrada!