Trad Scots Song Lyrics
With mp3 files of selected songs
Dateline: 21/11/99 00:40:37
These lyrics are a selection of the best of Scots song in alphabetical order of title.
Guitarists Note :- Many of these songs fit into the three chord trick, or I, IV, V progression.
So to play them, start on the I chord (eg E Major) and strum whilst whistling or singing the melody. When you feel a chord change is required try the IV chord (eg A Major). If the IV chord does not work, AND the song DOES fit the I, IV, V progression, then the required chord MUST be the V chord (eg B7) . Continue this way until you have worked out the chords of the whole song - voila ! - you can now play thousands of tunes by ear.
If you do not know the melody check out the links pages - melodies for all the songs here are available as midi files.
Ae Fond Kiss
Ae fond kiss and then we sever Ae fareweel, alas for ever
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I'll wage
thee. Had we never lov'd sae kindly, Had we never lov'd sae blindly, Never met
or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.
I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy, Nae thing could resist my Nancy; But to see
her was to love her, Love but her, and love for ever; Had we never lov'd sae
kindly, Had we never lov'd sae blindly. Never met or never parted We had ne'er
been broken-hearted.
Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest, Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest,
Thine be ilka joy and treasure, Peace, enjoyment, love and pleasure. Had we
never lov'd sae kindly Had we never lov'd sae blindly, Never met or never parted
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found was blind but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fear relieved.
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares We have already come.
'Twas grace that brought us safe thus far and grace will lead us home.
When we've been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun.
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance
be forgot And auld lang syne?
Chorus: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o'
kindness yet For auld lang syne.
And surely, ye'll be your pint stowp! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Chorus: For auld lang syne, etc. We twa hae run about the braes And pou'd the
gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus: For auld lang syne, etc. -We two hae paddled in the burn, Frae morning
sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus: For auld lang syne, etc. And here's a hand, my trusty fiere, And gie's
a hand o' thine; And we'll tak' a right gude-willy waught, For auld lang syne.
Chorus: For auld lang syne, etc.
Blue Bells O' Scotland
Oh where, tell me where, is your Highland laddie gone?
Oh where, tell me where, is your Highland laddie gone?
He's gone wi' streaming banners where noble deeds are done
And it's oh, in my heart I wish him safe at home
Oh where, tell me where, did your Highland laddie dwell?
Oh where, tell me where, did your Highland laddie dwell?
He dwelt in Bonnie Scotland, where blooms the sweet blue bell
And it's oh, in my heart I lo'ed my laddie well
Oh what, tell me what, does your Highland laddie wear?
Oh what, tell me what, does your Highland laddie wear?
A bonnet with a lofty plume, and on his breast a plaid
And it's oh, in my heart I lo'ed my Highland lad
Oh what, tell me what, if your Highland laddie is slain?
Oh what, tell me what, if your Highland laddie is slain?
Oh no, true love will be his guard and bring him safe again
For it's oh, my heart would break if my Highland lad were slain
Bonnie Banks 0' Loch Lomon'
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 to gae On the bonnie,
bonnie banks 0' Loch Lomon'.
Chorus:
O ye'll 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 0'
Loch Lomon'.
'Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen, On the steep, steep side 0' Ben
Lomon', Where in purple hue the Hieland hills we view, An' the moon comin' out
in the gloamin'
Chorus: 0 ye'll tak' the high road etc.
The wee birdies sing and the wild flow'rs spring, And in sunshine the waters
are sleepin'; But the broken heart it kens nae second spring, Tho' the waefu'
may cease frae their greetin'.
Chorus: 0 ye'll tak' the high road etc.
Bonnie Dundee
Tae the lairds o' convention t'was Claverhouse spoke
E'er the Kings crown go down, there'll be crowns to be broke;
Then let each cavalier who loves honour and me
Come follow the bonnet o' bonnie Dundee.
Chorus: Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can
Saddle my horses and call out my men
Unhook the west port and let us gae free,
And we'll follow the bonnets o' bonnie Dundee!
Dundee he is mounted, he rides doon the street,
The bells they ring backwards, the drums they are beat,
But the Provost, douce man, says "Just e'en let him be
For the toon is well rid of that de'il o' Dundee."
Chorus:
There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth,
Be there lairds i' the south, there are chiefs i' the north!
There are brave duniewassals, three thousand times three
Will cry "Hoy!" for the bonnets o' bonnie Dundee.
Chorus:
Then awa' to the hills, to the lea, to the rocks
E'er I own a usurper, I'll couch wi' the fox!
And tremble, false Whigs, in the midst o' your glee
Ye ha' no seen the last o' my bonnets and me.
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.
Mairi's Wedding - this links to an mp3 file of the song - over 1 meg download
Chorus
Step we gaily, on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and row on row
All for Mairi's wedding.
Over hillways up and doon
Myrtle green and bracken broon,
Past the sheilings through the toon
All for sake of Mairi.
Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her creel,
Plenty bonny bairns as weel
That's the toast for Mairi.
Cheeks as red as rowans are
Bright her eyes as any star,
Fairest o' them all by far
Is our darlin' Mairi.
My Ain Folk
Far frae my hame I wander, but still my thoughts return To my ain folk ower
yonder, in the sheiling 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.
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.
0' 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.
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.
My Love is Like a Red Red Rose
O my love is like a red red rose, That's newly sprung in June. O my love is
like a melodie That's sweetly play'd in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I And I will love thee still, my dear, Till a' the seas gang
dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, Till a' the seas gang dry, And I will love
thee still my dear, Till a' the seas run dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun, And I will
love thee still, my dear, While the sands o' life shall run. And fare thee weel,
my only love, And fare thee weel awhile! And I will come again, my love Tho'
'twere ten thoosand mile.
Tho' 'twere ten thoosand mile, my love, Tho' 'twere ten thoosand mile. And I
will come again, my love, Tho' 'twere ten thoosand mile.
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.
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 maiden's eyes.
Towering in gallant fame etc.
Far off in sunlit places, Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the Kiss Of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming, Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.
Towering in gallant fame etc.
Scottish Soldier
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 Tyroll
chorus
Because these green hills are not highland hills
or the Islands hills they're not my lands 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 a lay, a pibroch sad to play
upon a hillside but Scottish hillside
not on these green hills of Tyrol
chorus
Because these green....... etc
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 Tyroll
chorus
Because these green....... etc
repeat chorus
Scots
Wha Hae - this links to an mp3 file of the song - over 3 meg download
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots wham Bruce has often led, Welcome to
your gory bed, or to victory!
Noo's the day, and noo's the hour; See the front o' battle lour, See approach
proud Edward's poo'er Chains and slaverie!
Wha will be a traitor knave? Wha can fill a coward's grave? Wha sae base as
be a slave? Let him turn and flee! Wha for Scotland's King and law Freedom's
sword will strongly draw? Freeman stand, or freeman fa'? Let him follow me!
By oppression's woes and pains! By oor sons in servile chains! -We will drain
our dearest veins, -But they shall be free! -Lay the proud usurpers low! Tyrants
fall in ev'ry foe! Liberty's in ev'ry blow! Let us do or die!
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 always.
Chorus: Keep right on etc.
The
Road To Dundee - this links to an mp3 file of the song - over
2.5 meg download
Cauld winter was howlin' o'er moor and o'er mountain And wild was the surge
on the dark rolling sea, When I met about daybreak a bonnie young lassie, Wha
asked me the road and the miles to Dundee.
Says I, "My young lassie, I canna' weel tell ye The road and the distance I
canna' weel gie. But if you'll permit me tae gang a wee bittie, I'll show ye
the road and the miles to Dundee".
At once she consented and gave me her arm, Ne'er a word I did speir wha the
lassie micht be, She appeared like an angel in feature and form, As she walked
by my side on the road to Dundee.
At length wi' the Howe o' Strathmartine behind us and The spires o' the toon
in full view we could see, She said "Gentle Sir, I can never forget ye For showing
me so far on the road to Dundee".
I took the gowd pin from the scarf on my bosom -And said "Keep ye this in remembrance
0' me Then bravely I kissed the sweet lips o' the lassie, E'er I parted wi'
her on the road to Dundee.
So here's to the lassie, I ne'er can forget her, And ilka young laddie that's
listening to me, O never be feard to convoy a young lassie Though it's only
to show her the road to Dundee.
The Road to the Isles
A far croonin' is pullin' me away As take I wi' my cromach to the road. The
far Coolins are puttin' love on me As step I wi' the sunlight for my load.
Chorus:
Sure, by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go.
By heather tracks wi' heaven in their wiles; If it's thinkin' in your inner
heart braggart's in my step,
You've never smelt the tangle 0' the Isles. Oh, the far Coolins are puttin'
love on me. As step I wi' my cromach to the lsles.
It's by Sheil water and track is to the west. By Aillort and by Morar to the
sea, The cool cresses I am thinkin' 0' for pluck, And bracken for a wink on
Mother knee.
Chorus: Sure, by Tummel etc.
It's the blue Islands are pullin' me away, Their laughter puts the leap upon
the lame, The blue Islands from the Skerries to the Lews, Wi' heather honey
taste upon each name.
Chorus.- Sure, by Tummel etc.
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
(last) and I have come home
The burn by the road sings at my going by
The whaup averhead 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.
The Skye Boat Song
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing, Onward, the sailors cry.
Carry the lad that's born to be king over the sea to Skye.
Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclaps rend the air, Baffled,
our foes stand by the shore, Follow they will not dare.
Chorus: Speed bonnie boat like a bird etc.
Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep, Ocean's a royal bed.
Rock'd in the deep Flora will keep watch o'er your weary head.
Chorus: Speed bonnie boat like a bird etc.
Burned are our homes, exile and death, Scattered the loyal men..
Yet ere the sword, cool in the sheath, Charlie will come again.
Chorus: Speed bonnie boat like a bird etc.
Uist Tramping Song
Come along, come along, Let us foot it out together,
Come along, come along,
Be it fair or stormy weather,
With the hills of home before us
And the purple of the heather,
Let us sing in happy chorus,
Come along, come along.
O gaily sings the lark, And the sky's all awake With the promise of the day,
For the road we gladly take; So it's heel and toe and forward,
Bidding farewell to the town,
For the welcome that awaits us Ere the sun goes down.
Chorus: Come along, come along, etc.
It's the call of sea and shore, It's the tang of bog and peat,
And the scent of brier and myrtle That puts magic in our feet;
So it's on we go rejoicing, Over bracken, over stile,
And it's soon we will be tramping Out the last long mile.
Chorus: Come along, come along, etc.
Westering Home
Chorus..
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 0' lands o' the Orient gay, Speak o' the riches and joys 0' Cathay;
Eh, but it's grand to be wakin' ilk day To find yourself nearer to Isla.
Chorus: And it's Westering home etc.
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.
Chorus: And it's Westering home etc. -
Wild Mountain Thyme
O the summer time has come
And the trees are sweetly blooming
And wild mountain thyme
Grows around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie, go?
And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie, go?
I will build my love a tower
By yon clear crystal fountain
And on it I will pile
All the flowers of the mountain
Will you go, lassie, go?
I will range through the wilds
And the deep land so dreary
and return with the spoils
to the bower o' my dearie
Will ye go lassie go ?
If my true love she'll not come
then I'll surely find another
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie, go?
Ye Banks and Braes
Ye banks and braes 0' bonnie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair?
How can ye chant ye little birds,
And I sae weary, fu' o' care?
Ye'll break my heart, ye warbling birds,
That wanton through the flow'ry thorn,
Ye mind me 0' departed joys,
Departed never to return.
Oft hae I rov'd by bonnie Doon,
To see the rose and woodbine twine;
-And ilka bird sang o' its love,
And fondly sae did I o' mine.
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose,
Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree;
And my fause lover stole my rose,
But ah! he left the thorn wi' me.
Links List
http://www.excaliburknights.com/highland/scottish%20music/