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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He had the Art to please ye,
And was by a' respected; His Airs sat round him easy, Genteel, but unaffected. The Collier's bonny Lassie, Fair as the new blown Lilly, Ay sweet, and never saucy, Secur'd the Heart of Willy. |
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He lov'd beyond Expression,
The Charms that were about her, And panted for Possession, His Life was dull without her. After mature resolving, Closs to his Breast he held her, In saftest Flames dissolving, He tenderly thus tell'd her. |
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My bonny Collier's Daughter,
Let nathing discompose ye, 'Tis no your scanty Tocher, Shall ever gar me lose ye; For I have Gear in Plenty, And Love says, 'tis my Duty To ware what Heaven has lent me, Upon your wit and Beauty. |