The Banff and Buchan Collection

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Tape 1994.037 transcription

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01
[applause]

[Len???] I apologise for not singing the song with a chorus, em, I'll finish off with another song that doesn't have a chorus, but it's only got two verses and follow me along if you know the song already. By John Martyn, it's called Mary ??? song from one friend to another.

[no transcription, copyright song].

[applause]

02
[Len] I had a couple ither tunes organised earlier on but I hud tae put them by the wayside cause somebody else played them [laugh].

[Ramsay Tvedt] Was that us?.

[Len] No it wisnae you, George.

[RT] I'm Ramsay.

[Len] Whit's that about?.

[RT] George is the one wi the hair.

[Len] Banjo music.

[RT] Terrible never mind.

[applause]

[???] It wis in tune that wis the main thing it wis in tune.

[???] Yeah where is he [laughs].

[???] Probably trying to wreck somebody else's guitar.

[???] Probably.

03
I once had a lass, and a loved her so weel,
I hated all others that spoke o her ill,
And now she's rewarded me well for my love,
For she's gone to be wed tae another.

I saw her my love, into the church go,
Er bridegroom and bridesmaid they made a fine show,
I followed them all with a tear in my een,
Cause she's gan tae be wed tae another.

I saw my love sit doon tae dine,
I sat down beside her, and poured oot the wine,
And I drank to the lassie wha should hae been mine,
[But she's gan tae be wed tae anither.] .

I once had a lass, and a loved her so weel,
I hated all others that spoke o her ill,
And now she's rewarded me well for my love,
For she's gone to be wed tae another.

The men o the forest, they asked of me,
How many fine strawberries grow in the salt sea,
I answered them a wi a tear in my eye,
How many ships sail in the forest?

Now dig me a grave, and dig it sae deep,
And cover me ower fae my head tae my feet,
An I will lie doon for tae tak a lang sleep,
And some day I'll forget her.

I once had a lass, and a loved her so weel,
I hated all others that spoke o her ill,
And now she's rewarded me well for my love,
For she's gone to be wed tae another.

[applause]

04
As I was going over, the Cork and Kerry mountains,
I met Captain Farrell and his money he was counting,
I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier,
I said "Stand and deliver for you are my bold receiver".

With your ring dum a doo dum a da,
Whack for my daddy-o,
Whack for my daddy-o,
There's whisky in the jar.

Well I counted out the money and it made a pretty penny,
Well I put it in my pocket and gave it to my Jenny,
I sighed and I swore never, but the devil take the woman,
For it never can be easy.

With your ring dum a doo dum a da,
Whack for my daddy-o,
Whack for my daddy-o,
There's whisky in the jar.

Well I went into me chambers for to take a little slumber,
I dreamt of golden jewels, boy and sure there was no wonder.
But Jenny took me charges and filled them up with water,
And sent her Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter.

With your ring dum a doo dum a da,
Whack for my daddy-o,
Whack for my daddy-o,
There's whisky in the jar.

Once early in the morning, because I rose tae travel,
The guards were all around me boys and likewise Captain Farrell.
I first produced the pistol and then produced my rapier,
Saying stand up and deliver, so a prisoner I was taken.

With your ring dum a doo dum a da,
Whack for my daddy-o,
Whack for my daddy-o,
There's whisky in the jar.

If anyone can save me it's my brother in the army,
I think that he stationed ??? in Cork or Killarney.
And if he comes and joins me a-roving in Killarney,
Well I swear he'd treat me fairer than me darlin ??? Jenny.

With your ring dum a doo dum a da,
Whack for my daddy-o,
Whack for my daddy-o,
There's whisky in the jar.

With your ring dum a doo dum a da,
Whack for my daddy-o,
Whack for my daddy-o,
There's whisky in the jar.

[applause]

05-09
[instrumental tunes]

10
Away to the westward, 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.

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 a strand of pure silver, I'll welcome each day,
And I'll roam forever more the Dark Island.

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.

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.

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.

[applause]

11
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 darling tae be?

I dinna ken how that can be sir,
I dinna ken how that can be;
For I ken nae the land that ye live in,
Nor ken I the lad Im gaun wi.

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 darling tae be?

Ye dinna ken much then Leezie Lindsay,
If its true that ye dinna ken me,
For my name is Lord Ronald of MacDonald,
A Chieftain o the highest degree.

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 darling tae be?

I'll buy ye a gown o green satin,
Tae wear right up tae your knee,
And I'll make ye a Lady,
A Chieftain o the highest degree.

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 darling tae be?

She has kilted her gown o green satin,
She has kilted them up tae her knee,
And she's gone wi Lord Ronald MacDonald,
His bride and his darling tae be.

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 darling tae be?

 

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