Bonnie Wee Jeannie McColl

Chorus: A fine wee lass, a bonnie wee lass, is bonnie wee Jeannie McColl; I gave her my mother's engagement ring and a bonnie wee tartan shawl. I met her at a waddin' in the Co-operative Hall I wis the best man and she was the belle of the ball. The very first nicht I met her, she was awfy, awfy shy, The rain cam' pourin' doon, but she was happy, so was I. We ran like mad for shelter, an' we landed up a stair, The rain cam' poorin' oot o' ma breeks, but och I didna care: For she's..... Chorus Noo I've wad my Jeannie, an' bairnies we have three, Two dochters and a braw wee lad, that sits upon my knee. They're richt wee holy terrors, an' they're never still for lang, But they sit an' listen every nicht, while I sing to them this sang: Oh it's .... Chorus

Coulters Candy
Ally, bally, ally bally bee, Sittin' on yer mammy's knee Greetin' for anither bawbee, Tae buy mair Coulter's candy. Ally. bally, ally, bally bee, When you grow up you'll go to sea, Makin' pennies for your daddy and me, Tae buy mair Coulter's Candy. Mammy gie me ma thrifty doon Here's auld Coulter comin' roon Wi' a basket on his croon Selling Coulter's Candy. Little Annie's greetin' tae Sae whit can puir wee Mammy dae But gie them a penny atween them twae Tae buy mair Coulter's Candy. Poor wee Jeannie's lookin' affa thin, A rickle o' banes covered ower wi' skin, Noo she's gettin' a double chin Wi' sookin' Coulter's Candy.

Comin' Thro' The Rye

Gin a body meet a body Comin' thro' the rye Gin a body kiss a body Need a body cry? Ilka lassie has her laddie Nane, they say, hae I Yet a' the lads they smile at me When comin' thro' the rye. Gin a body meet a body Comin' frae the town Gin a body kiss a body Need a body frown? Ilka lassie has her laddie Nane, they say, hae I Yet a' the lads they smile at me When comin' thro' the rye. 'Mang the train there is a swain I dearly lo'e myself But what his name or whaur his hame I dinna care to tell Ilka lassie has her laddie Nane, they say, hae I Yet a' the lads they smile at me When comin' thro' the rye.

Dance Tae Yer Daddy

Dance tae yer daddy, Ma bonnie laddie, Dance tae yer daddy, ma bonnie lamb! An ye'll get a fishie In a little dishie, Ye'll get a fishie, whan the boat comes hame.

Dance tae yer daddy, Ma bonnie laddie, Dance tae yer daddy, ma bonnie lamb! An ye'll get a coatie, An a pair o' breekies, Ye'll get a whippie, an a soople Tam.

The Dark Island

Away to the west's where I'm longing to be, Where the beauties of heaven unfold by the sea, Where the sweet purple heather blooms fragrant and free, On a hilltop high above the Dark Island. Chorus Oh, isle of my childhood, I'm dreaming of thee, As the steamer leaves Oban and passes Tiree, Soon I'll capture the magic that lingers for me, When I'm back once more upon the Dark Island. So gentle the sea breeze that ripples the bay, Where the stream joins the ocean, and young children play; On the strand of pure silver, I'll welcome each day, And I'll roam for ever more the Dark Island. Chorus True gem of the Hebrides, bathed in the light Of the midsummer dawning that follows the night How I yearn for the cries of the seagulls in flight. As they circle high above the Dark Island Chorus

Donald, Where's Yer Troosers?

Just got in from the Isle of Skye I'm not very big and I'm awfully shy The ladies shout as I go by Donald where's your troosers? Chorus: Let the winds blow high, Let the winds blow low, Down the street in my kilt I go And all the ladies say hello Donald where's your troosers? A lady took me to a ball And it was slippery in the hall I was afraid that I would fall 'Cause I didn't have on my troosers Chorus: They'd like to wed me everyone Just let them catch me if they can You canna put the brakes on a highland man Who doesn't like wearing troosers. Chorus: To wear the kilt is my delight, It isn't wrong, I know it's right.

The highlanders would get afright If they saw me in my troosers. Chorus: Well I caught a cold and me nose was raw I had no handkerchief at all So I hiked up my kilt and I gave it a blow, Now you can't do that with troosers. Chorus:

Eriskay Love Lilt

Chorus Bheir me o, horo van o Bheir me o, horo van ee Bheir me o, o horo ho Sad am I, without thee. Thou'rt the music of my heart; Harp of joy, o cruit mo chruidh; Moon of guidance by night; Strength and light thou'rt to me. Chorus In the morning, when I go To the white and shining sea, In the calling of the seals Thy soft calling to me. Chorus When I'm lonely, dear white heart, Black the night and wild the sea, By love's light, my foot finds The old pathway to me. Chorus

Flow Gently, Sweet Afton

Flow gently, sweet Afton, amang thy green braes, Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise. My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream. Though stock-dove whose echo resounds from the hill, Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny dell, Thou green created lapwing, thy screaming fore-bear, I charge you, disturb not my slumbering fair. How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbouring hills, Far marked with the courses of clear winding rills. There daily I wander, as morn rises high, My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye. How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, Where wild in the woodlands the primroses blow. There oft, as mild evening creeps over the lea, The sweet scented birk shades my Mary and me. Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides And winds by the cot where my Mary resides. How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave, As gathering sweet flow'rets, she stems thy clear wave. Flow gently, sweet Afton, amang thy green braes, Flow gently , sweet river, the theme of my lays. My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.

A Gordon for Me
I'm Geordie MacKay of the H. L. I. I'm fond of the lassies and a drappie forbye, One day when out walking I chanced to see, A bonnie wee lass wi' a glint in her ee' Says I to the lassie "Will you walk foe a while? I'll buy you a bonnet and we'll do it in style, My kilt is Mackenzie o' the H. L.I." She look'd at me shyly and said wi' a sigh. Chorus A Gordon for me, a Gordon for me, If ye're no a Gordon ye're no use to me. The Black Watch are braw, the Seaforths and a' But the cocky wee Gordon's the pride o' them a'. I courted that girl on the banks of the Dee, I made up my mind she was fashioned for me, Soon I was a' thinking how nice it would be If she would consent to get married to me. The day we were wed, the grass was so green, The sun was as bright as the light in her 'een, Now we've two bonnie lassies who sit on her knee, While she sings the song she once sang to me.

The Green Hills Of Tyrol

There was a soldier, a Scottish soldier, Who wandered far away and soldiered far away, There was none bolder, with good broad shoulders, He fought in many a fray and fought and won. He's seen the glory, he's told the story, Of battles glorious and deeds victorious. But now he's sighing, his heart is crying, To leave these green hills of Tyrol. Chorus: Because these green hills are not Highland hills Or the Island's hills, they're not my land's hills, As fair as these green foreign hills may be They are not the hills of home. And now this soldier, this Scottish soldier, Who wandered far away and soldiered far away, Sees leaves are falling, and death is calling, And he will fade away, on that dark land. He called his piper, his trusty piper, And bade him sound away, a pibroch sad to play, Upon a hillside, a Scottish hillside Not on these green hills of Tyrol Chorus: And now this soldier, this Scottish soldier,

Who wanders far no more, and soldiers far no more, Now on a hillside, a Scottish hillside, You'll see a piper play this soldier home. He's seen the glory, he's told the story, Of battles glorious, and deeds victorious; But he will cease now, he is at peace now, Far from these green hills of Tyrol

I Belong to Glasgow
I've been wi' a couple o' cronies, One or two pals o' my ain; We went in a hotel, and we did very well, And then we came out once again; Then we went into anither, And that is the reason I'm fu'; We had six deoch-an-doruses, then sang a chorus, Just listen, I'll sing it to you: Chorus I belong to Glasgow, Dear old Glasgow town; But what's the matter wi' Glasgow, For it's goin' roun' and roun'! I'm only a common old working chap, As anyone here can see, But when I get a couple o' drinks on a Saturday, Glasgow belongs to me! There's nothing in keeping your money, And saving a shilling or two; If you've nothing to spend, then you've nothing to lend, Why that's all the better for you! There no harm in taking a drappie, It ends all your trouble and strife; It gives ye the feeling that when you get home, You don't give a hang for the wife!

I Love A Lassie
I love a lassie, a bonnie Hielan' lassie, If you saw her you would fancy her as well: I met her in September, popped the question in November, So I'll soon be havin' her a' to ma-sel'. Her faither has consented, so I'm feelin' quite contented, 'Cause I've been and sealed the bargain wi' a kiss. I sit and weary weary, when I think aboot ma deary, An' you'll always hear me singing this... Chorus I love a lassie, a bonnie bonnie lassie, She's as pure as a lily in the dell, She's sweet as the heather, the bonnie bloomin' heather, Mary, my Scots bluebell. I love a lassie, a bonnie Hielan' lassie, She can warble like like a blackbird in the dell. She's an angel ev'ry Sunday, but a jolly lass on Monday: She's as modest as her namesake the bluebell. She's nice, she's neat, she's tidy and I meet her ev'ry Friday: That's a special nicht, you bet, I never miss. I'm enchanted, I'm enraptured, since ma heart the darlin'captur'd, She's intoxicated me with bliss... Chorus I love a lassie, a bonnie Hielan' lassie,

I could sit an' let her tease me for a week: For the way she keeps behavin' well, I never pay for shavin', 'Cause she rubs ma whiskers clean off with her cheek. And underneath ma bonnet, where the hair was, there's none on it, For the way she pats ma head has made me bald. I know she means no harm, for she'll keep me nice and warm, On the frosty nichts sae very cauld... Chorus

Johnny Lad
I bought a wife in Edinburgh for a bawbee. I got a farthing back again tae buy tobacco wi'. Chorus And wi' you and wi' you and wi' 'you Johnny Lad. I'll dance the buckles off my shoon Wi' you, my Johnny Lad. As I was walking early I chanced to see the Queen, She was playing at the fitba' wi' the lads in Glasgow Green. Chorus The captain o' the ither side was scoring wi' great style, So the Queen she cried a polisman and she clapped him in the jyle. Chorus Noo Samson was a michty man. He focht wl' cuddies' jaws And he won a score o' battles wearing crimson flannel drawers. Chorus There was a man o' Nineveh and he was wondrous wise.

He louped intae a bramble bush and scratched oot baith his eyes. Chorus And when he saw his eyes wis oot he wis gey troubled then So he louped intae anither bush and scratched them in again. Chorus Noo Johnny is a bonny lad, he is a lad o' mine. I've never had a better lad and I've had twenty-nine.

Keep Right on to the End of the Road

Ev'ry road thro' life is a long, long road, Fill'd with joys and sorrows too, As you journey on how your heart will yearn For the things most dear to you. With wealth and love 'tis so, But onward we must go. Chorus: Keep right on to the end of the road, Keep right on to the end, Tho' the way be long, let your heart be strong, Keep right on round the bend. Tho' you're tired and weary still journey on, Till you come to your happy abode, Where all the love you've been dreaming of Will be there at the end of the road. With a big stout heart to a long steep hill, We may get there with a smile, With a good kind thought and an end in view, We may cut short many a mile. So let courage ev'ry day Be your guiding star alway. Chorus:

Kelvin Grove
Let us haste to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O, Through it's mazes let us rove, bonnie lassie, O: Where the rose in all her pride, Paints the hollow dingle side, Where the midnight fairies glide, bonnie lassie, O. Let us wander by the mill, bonnie lassie, O, To the cove beside the rill, bonnie lassie, O; Where the glens rebound the call Of the roaring waters' fall, Through the mountain's rocky hall, bonnie lassie, O. O Kelvin banks are fair, bonnie lassie, O, When the summer we are there, bonnie lassie, O; There the May-pink's crimson plume Throws a soft, but sweet perfume Round the yellow banks of broom, bonnie lassie, O. Though I dare not call thee mine, bonnie lassie, O, As the smile of fortune's thine, bonnie lassie, O; Yet with fortune on my side, I could stay thy father's pride, And win thee for my bride, bonnie lassie, O. But the frowns of fortune lour, bonnie lassie, O, On thy lover at this hour, bonnie lassie, O; Ere yon golden orb of day Wake the warblers on the spray,

From this land I must away, bonnie lassie, O. Then farewell to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O, And adieu to all I love, bonnie lassie, O; To the river winding clear, To the fragrant scented brier, E'en to thee of all most dear, bonnie lassie, O. When upon a foreign shore, bonnie lassie, O, Should I fall midst battle's roar, bonnie lassie, O; Then Helen, shouldst thou hear Of thy lover on his bier, To his memory shed a tear, bonnie lassie, O.

Loch Lomond
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomon' Where me and my true love were ever wont tae gae On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon' Chorus Oh you tak' the high road and I'll tak the low road An' I'll be in Scotland afore ye, But me and my true love will never meet again On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon' Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen. On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomon', Where in purple hue, the hielan' hills we view, An' the moon comin' out in the gloamin'. Chorus The wee birdies sing, and the wild flowers spring, While in sunshine the waters are sleepin' But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again, Tho' the waefu' may cease free their greetin'. Chorus

Mhiri's Wedding
Over hillways up and down Myrtle green and bracken brown, Past the shieling through the town All for sake of Mhiri. Chorus: Step me gaily, off we go Heel for heel and toe for toe, Arm in arm and off we go All for Mhiri's wedding. Plenty herring, plenty meal Plenty peat to fill her creel, Plenty bonny bairns as weel That's the toast for Mhiri. Chorus: Cheeks as bright as rowans are Brighter far than any star, Fairest o' them all by far Is my darlin' Mhiri. Chorus:

My Ain Folk
Far frae my hame I wander, but still my thoughts return To my ain folk ower yonder, in the shieling by the burn. I see the cosy ingle, and the mist abune the brae: And joy and sadness mingle, as I list some auld-warld lay. Chorus And it's oh! but I'm longing for my ain folk, Tho' they be but lowly, puir and plain folk: I am far beyond the sea, but my heart will ever be At home in dear auld Scotland, wi' my ain folk. O' their absent ane they're telling, the auld folk by the fire: And I mark the swift tears welling, as the ruddy flame leaps high'r. How the mither wad caress me, were I but by her side: Now she prays that Heav'n will bless me, tho' the stormy seas divide. Chorus

My Luve is Like a Red, Red Rose

O, my luve is like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June: O, my love is like the melodie, That's sweetly play'd in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a' the seas gang dry. Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun! And I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o' life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only luve, And fare thee weel a while! And I will come again, my luve Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

My Love She's But A Lassie Yet

Chorus Oh my love she's but a lassie yet, Oh my love she's but a lassie yet, We'll let her stand a year or twa, She'll no be half sae saucy yet. I rue the day I sought her, O! I rue the day I sought her, O! Wha gets her need na say she's woo'd, But he may say he's bought her, O! Chorus Come draw a drap o' the best o't yet, Come draw a drap o' the best o't yet, Gae seek for pleasure where you will, But here I never missed it yet. Chorus We're a' dry wi' drinkin' o't We're a' dry wi' drinkin' o't The minister kiss'd the fiddler's wife He could na preach for thinking o't!

The northern lights of old Aberdeen

When I was a lad, a tiny wee lad, my mother said to me, "Come see the Northern Lights my boy, they're bright as they can be." She called them the heavenly dancers, merry dancers in the sky, I'll never forget that wonderful sight, they made the heavens bright. Chorus: The Northern Lights of Aberdeen are what I long to see; The Northern Lights of Aberdeen, that's where I long to be. I've been a wand'rer all of my life and many a sight I've seen. God speed the day when I'm on my way to my home in Aberdeen. I've wandered in many far-off lands, and travelled many a mile, I've missed the folk I've cherished most, the joy of a friendly smile. It warms up the heart of the wand'rer the clasp of a welcoming hand. To greet me when I return, home to my native land. Chorus:

Roamin' in the Gloamin'

I've seen lots of bonnie lassies travellin' far and wide, But my heart is centred noo on bonnie Kate McBride; And altho' I'm no a chap that throws a word away, I'm surprised mysel' at times at a' I've got to say Chorus: Roamin' in the gloamin' on the bonnie banks o' Clyde, Roamin' in the gloamin' wi' ma lassie by ma side, When the sun has gone to rest, that's the time that I like best, O, it's lovely roamin' in the gloamin'! One nicht in the gloamin' we were trippin' side by side. I kissed her twice, and asked her once if she would be my bride; She was shy, and so was I, we were baith the same, But I got brave and braver on the journey comin' hame. Chorus: Last nicht efter strollin' we got hame at half-past nine. Sittin' at the kitchen fire I asked her to be mine. When she promised I got up and danced the Hielan' Fling; I've just been to the jewellers and I've picked a nice wee ring. Chorus:

A Rose-Bud By My Early Walk

A rose-bud, by my early walk Adown a corn-enclosd bawk, Sae gently bent its thorny stalk, All on a dewy morning. Ere twice the shades o' dawn are fled, In a' its crimson glory spread, And drooping rich the dewy head, It scents the early morning. Within the bush her covert nest A little linnet fondly prest; The dew sat chilly on her breast, Sae early in the morning. She soon shall see her tender brood, The pride, the pleasure o' the wood, Amang the fresh green leaves bedew'd, Awauk the early morning. So thou, dear bird, young Jeany fair, On trembling string or vocal air, Shall sweetly pay the tender care That tents thy early morning! So thou, sweet rose-bud, young and gay, Shalt beauteous blaze upon the day, And bless the parent's evening ray That watch'd thy early morning!

Scotland the Brave

Hark when the night is falling, Hear! hear the pipes are calling, Loudly and proudly calling, Down thro' the glen. There where the hills are sleeping, Now feel the blood a-leaping, High as the spirits of the old Highland men. Chorus Towering in gallant fame, Scotland my mountain hame, High may your proud standards gloriously wave, Land of my high endeavour, Land of the shining river, Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave. High in the misty Highlands Out by the purple islands, Brave are the hearts that beat Beneath Scottish skies. Wild are the winds to meet you, Staunch are the friends that greet you, Kind as the love that shines from fair maidens' eyes.

Chorus

Far off in sunlit places Sad are the Scottish faces, Yearning to feel the kiss Of sweet Scottish rain. Where the tropics are beaming Love sets the heart a-dreaming, Longing and dreaming for the hameland again. Chorus

These Are My Mountains

For fame and for fortune I wandered the earth And now I've come back to the land of my birth I've brought back my treasures but only to find They're less than the pleasures I first left behind For these are my mountains and this is my glen The braes of my childhood will know me again No land's ever claimed me tho' far I did roam For these are my mountains and I'm going home The burn by the road sings at my going by The whaup overhead wings with welcoming cry The loch where the scart flies at last I can see It's here that my heart lies it's here I'll be free Kind faces will meet me and welcome me in And how they will greet me my ain kith and kin The night round the ingle old sangs will be sung At last I'll be hearing my ain mother tongue.

Three Craws
Three craws sat upon a wa', Sat upon a wa', sat upon a wa', Three craws sat upon a wa', On a cauld and frosty mornin'. The first craw was greetin' for his maw, Greetin' for his maw, greetin' for his maw, The first craw was greetin' for his maw, On a cauld and frosty mornin'. The second craw fell and broke his jaw, Fell and broke his jaw, fell and broke his jaw, The second craw fell and broke his jaw, On a cauld and frosty mornin'. The third craw, couldnae caw at a', Couldnae caw at a', couldnae caw at a', The third craw, couldnae caw at a', On a cauld and frosty mornin'. An that's a', absolutely a', Absolutely a', absolutely a', An that's a', absolutely a', On a cauld and frosty mornin'.

Wee Deoch an Doris

There's a good old Scottish custom that has stood the test o'time, It's a custom that's been carried out in every land and clime. When brother Scots are gathered, it's aye the usual thing, Just before we say good night, we fill our cups and sing... Chorus Just a wee deoch an doris, just a wee drop, that's all. Just a wee deoch an doris afore ye gang awa. There's a wee wifie waitin' in a wee but an ben. If you can say, "It's a braw bricht moonlicht nicht", Then yer a'richt, ye ken. Now I like a man that is a man; a man that's straight and fair. The kind of man that will and can, in all things do his share. Och, I like a man a jolly man, the kind of man, you know, The chap that slaps your back and says, "Jock, just before ye go..." Chorus

We're No' Awa' Tae Bide Awa'

Chorus: For we're no' awa' tae bide awa', For we're no' awa tae le'e ye, For we're no' awa' tae bide awa', We'll aye come back an' see ye. As I gaed doon by Wilsontoon I met auld Johnnie Scobbie, Says I to him will ye hae a hauf, Says he, "Man! That's my hobby." Chorus: So we had a hauf an' anither hauf, And then we had anither, When he got fou' he shouted "Hoo! It's Carnwath Mill for ever." Chorus: We wandered doon the street again We cleekit unco cheery, When John got hame his wife cried shame, I see you're enjoyin' your hobby. Chorus:

Of a' the friens that ere I kenned, There's nane like Johnnie Scobbie, His hert is leal, he's true as steel, An' a hauf is aye his hobby. Chorus: So whenever friendly friens may meet, Wherever Scots foregather, We'll raise our gless, we'll shout Hurroo, It's Carnwath Mill for ever. Chorus:

Westering Home
And it's westering home, and a song in the air, Light in the eye, and it's goodbye to care. Laughter o' love, and a welcoming there, Isle of my heart, my own one. Tell me o' lands o' the Orient gay, Speak o' the riches and joys o' Cathay; Eh, but it's grand to be wakin' ilk day To find yourself nearer to Isla. Where are the folk like the folk o' the west? Canty, and couthy, and kindly, the best. There I would hie me and there I would rest At hame wi' my ain folk in Isla.

Will Ye No Come Back Again?

Bonnie Chairlie's noo awa', Safely ower the friendly main; Mony a heart will break in twa', Should he ne'er come back again. Chorus: Will ye no come back again? Will ye no come back again? Better lo'ed ye canna be, Will ye no come back again? Ye trusted in your Hielan' men, They trusted you dear Chairlie. They kent your hidin' in the glen, Death or exile bravin'. Chorus We watched thee in the gloamin' hour, We watched thee in the mornin' grey. Tho' thirty thousand pounds they gie, O there is nane that wad betray. Chorus Sweet the laverock' s note and lang, Liltin' wildly up the glen. But aye tae me he sings ae sang, Will ye no' come back again? Chorus

Ye Banks and Braes

Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon, How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair? How can ye chant, ye little birds, And I sae weary, fu' o' care! Thou'll break my heart, thou warbling bird, That wantons thro' the flowering thorn! Thou minds me o' departed joys, Departed, never to return. Aft hae I rov'd by bonnie Doon To see the rose and woodbine twine; And ilka bird sang o' its luve, And fondly sae did I o' mine; Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose, Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree! And my fause luver stole my rose But, ah! he left the thorn wi' me.