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)
So shall the fairest Face appear,
When Youth and Years are flown, Such is the Robe that Kings must wear, When Death has reft their Crown. Her Bloom was like the Springing Flow'r, That sips the Silver Dew, The Rose was buded in her Cheek, And opening to the view. |
(3)
But Love had like the Canker worm,
Consum'd her Early Pride, The Rose grew pale and left her Cheek, She dy'd before her Time, Awake she cry'd thy true Love calls, Come from her Mid-night Grave, Now let thy Pity hear the Maid, Thy Love refus'd to save. |
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(4)
This is the mirk and fearfull Hour,
When dreary Church Yards yawn, And Injur'd Ghosts come forth to walk, And Haunt the faithless Man. Bethink thee William of thy Fault, Thy Pledge and broken Oath, And give me back my Maiden Vow, And give me back my Troth. |
(5)
How could you say my Face was fair,
And yet that Face forsake, How could you win my Virgin Heart, Yet leave that Heart to break. How could you promise Love to me, And not that promise keep, Why did you Swear mine Eyes were bright, Yet leave those Eyes to weep. |
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(6)
How could you say my Lips was sweet,
And made the Scarlet pale, And why did I young witless maid, Believe the flattering Tale. That Face alas no more is fair, These Lips no longer Red, Dark are mine Eyes now clos'd in Death, And ev'ry Charm is fled. |
(7)
The hungry Worm my Sister is,
This winding Sheet I wear, And cold and weary lasts our Night, Till that last Morn appear. But hark! the Cock has warn'd me hence, A long and last ADIEU, Come see false Man how low she lies, That dy'd for Love of you. |
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(8)
Now Birds did Sing and morning smile,
And shew her glistering Head, Pale William shook in ev'ry Limb, Then raveing left his Bed. He hy'd him to the Fatal Place, Where Marg'rets Body lay, And stretch'd him on the green grass turf, That wrapt her Breathless Clay. |
(9)
And thrice he call'd on Marg'rets Name,
And thrice he wept full sore, Then laid his Cheek to the cold Earth, And word spake never more. |