by Allan Ramsay (1686 - 1758)
The old highland laddie
Language: English
The Lawland maids gang trig and fine, But aft they're sour and unco saucy; Sae proud they never can be kind, Like my good-humour'd highland lassie. O my bonny, bonny highland lassie, My hearty smiling highland lassie; May never care make thee less fair, But bloom of youth still bless my lassie. Than ony lass in borrows-town, Wha makes their cheeks with patches motie, I'd tak my Katie but a gown, Barefooted, in her little coatie. O my bonny, etc. Beneath the brier or brecken bush, Whene'er I kiss and court my dawtie, Happy and blythe as ane wad wish, My flighterin heart gangs pittle-pattie. O my bonny, etc. O'er highest heathery hills I'll sten, With cockit gun and ratches tenty, To drive the deer out of their den, To feast my lass on dishes dainty. O my bonny, etc. There's nane shall dare, by deed or word, 'Gainst her to wag a tongue or finger, While I can wield my trusty sword, Or frae my side whisk out a whinger O my bonny, etc. The mountains clad with purple bloom, And berries ripe, invite my treasure To range with me, let great fowk gloom, While wealth and pride confound their pleasure. O my bonny, etc.
J. Haydn sets stanzas 1, 3, 6
unco = very;
dawtie = darling;
fowk = folk
Authorship:
- by Allan Ramsay (1686 - 1758) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809), "The old highland laddie", Hob.XXXIa:248, JHW XXXII/3 no. 248, stanzas 1,3,6. [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-08
Line count: 33
Word count: 206