Album Summary: William Thomson's Orpheus Caledonius (1725) was a landmark publication; the first ever large-scale collection of "Scotch Songs" in print — 50 songs arranged with un-figured bass, most with lyrics from Allan Ramsay's Scots Songs and Tea-Table Miscellany, plus an appendix of melodic reductions. It was an instant hit and in 1733, expanded into 2 volumes with 100 songs. Indeed, Thomson's Orpheus set the standard format for Scots Song settings for the rest of the eighteenth century, including those of Robert Burns in The Scots Musical Museum. This ScotMus.com album is a faithful reprint of the song arrangements from the historic 1st edition of 1725.
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(2)
The Lawland Lads think they are fine,
But O they're vain and idly gaudy, How much unlike that gracefu' Mein, And manly Looks of my Highland Laddie O my bonny &c. |
(3)
If I were free at will to chuse
To be the wealthiest Lawland Lady I'd take young Donald without Trews, With Bonnet blew, and belted Plaidy. O my bonny &c. |
(4)
The brawest Beau in Borrows-Town,
In a' his airs, with art made ready, Compar'd to him, he's but a Clown; He's finer far in's Tartan Plaidy. O my bonny &c. |
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(5)
O'er benty Hills with him I'll run,
And leave my Lawland Kin and Dady, Frae Winter's Cauld and Summer's Sun, He'll screen me with his Highland Plaidy. O my bonny &c. |
(6)
A painted Room, and Silken Bed,
May please a Lawland Laird & Lady; But I can kiss, and be as glad, Behind a Bush in's highland Plaidy. O my bonny &c. |
(7)
Few Complements between us pass,
I ca' him my dear Highland Laddie, And he ca's me his Lawland Lass, Syn rows me in beneath his Plaidy. O my bonny &c. |
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(8)
Nae greater Joy I'll e'er pretend,
Than that his Love prove true and steady Like mine to him, which ne'er shall end, While Heaven preserves my Highland Laddie. |
[ chorus ]
O my bonny bonny Highland Laddie
O my bonny bonny Highland Laddie When I was Sick and like to die He row'd me in his Highland Plaidy. |