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)
I stood a while, and did admire,
To see a Nymph so stately; So brisk an Air there did appear, In a Country Maid so neatly; Such natural Sweetness she display'd, Like a Lilly in a Bogie Diana's self was ne'er array'd, Like this same Katharine Ogie. |
(3)
Thou Flower of Femals, Beauty's Queen,
Who sees thee sure must prize thee; Tho' thou art drest in Robes but mean, Yet these cannot disguise thee; Thy handsome Air, and gracefull Look Far excells any clownish Rogie; Thou art a Match for Lord or Duke, My charming Katharine Ogie. |
(4)
O were I but some Shepherd swain,
To feed my Flock beside thee, At Bughting-time to leave the Plain, In milking to abide thee. I'd think my self a hapier Man, With Kate, my Club, and Dogie, Than he that hugs his thousands ten, Had I but Katharine Ogie. |
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(5)
Then I'd dispise the Imperial Throne,
And Statesmen's dangerous Stations; I'd be no King, I'd wear no Crown, I'd smile at conquering Nations; Might I carress, and still possess, This Lass of whom I'm vogie; For these are Toys, and still look less, Compar'd with Katharine Ogie. |
(6)
But I fear the Gods have not decree'd,
For me so fine a Creature, Whose Beauty rare makes her exceed, All other Works in Nature. Clouds of Despair surround my Love, That are both dark and fogie, Pity my Case ye Powers above, Else I die for Katharine Ogie. |