Highland Laddie - Lyrics

Lyrics

As in the case of most traditional Scottish folk songs, Highland Laddie can be sung with lyrics. One version of the tune's ancient lyrics, which obviously has much to do with Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite Rising, goes:

Where ha' ye been a' the day?
Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie
Saw ye him that' far awa'
Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie

On his head a bonnet blue
Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie
Tartan plaid and Hielan' trews
Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie

When he drew his gude braid-sword
Then he gave his royal word.
Frae the field he ne'er wad flee
Wi' his friends wad live or dee.

Geordie sits in Charlie's chair
But I think he'll no bide there.
Charlie yet shall mount the throne
Weel ye ken it is his own

There is yet another version, apparently originated from Britain's colonial dates in America:

Was you ever in Quebec?
Bonny laddie, Highland laddie,
Loading timber on the deck,
My bonny Highland laddie.

High-ho, and away she goes,
Bonny laddie, Highland laddie,
High-ho, and away she goes,
My bonny Highland laddie.

Was you ever in Callao
Where the girls are never slow?

Was you ever in Baltimore
Dancing on the sanded floor?

Was you ever in Mobile Bay,
Screwing cotton by the day?

Was you on the Brummalow,
Where Yankee boys are all the go?

There is also a third version for the tune's four-parted variation

The Lawland Lads think they are fine
But oh they're vain and idle gaudy
How much unlike the graceful mein
And manly looks o' my Highland Laddie

If I were free at will to choose
To be the wealthiest Lawland Lady
I'd tak' young Donald without trews
Wi' bonnet blue and Highland plaidie

(Chorus):

Oh my bonnie bonnie Highland Laddie
Oh my bonnie bonnie Highland Laddie
When I was sick and like to die
He rowed me in his Highland plaidie

O'er Bently Hill wi' him I'll run
And leave my Lawland kin and daddy
Frae winters chill and summers sun
He'll screen me in his Highland plaidie

A painted room, a silken bed
Maun please a Lawland Lord and Lady
But I could kiss and be as glad
Behind a bush in his Highland plaidie

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

(Repeat Chorus)

This is out of the Scottish/Irish songs of Ludwig van Beethoven:

Bonny Laddie, Highland Laddie Beethoven Op. 108 no.7 (for Piano, Violin and Cello) Four Verses

Where got ye that siller moon, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Glinting braw your bell a boon, bonny laddie, highland laddie?

Belted plaid and bonnet blue, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Have yet been at Waterloo, bonny laddie, highland laddie?

Weels me on your tartan trews, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Tell me, tell me, a’ the news, bonny laddie, highland laddie!

Saw ye Bonny by the way, bonny laddie, highland laddie?

Blucher wi’ his beard sae grey, bonny laddie highland laddie?

Or that doure and deadly Duke, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Scatt’ring Frenchmen wi’ his look, bonny laddie, highland laddie?

Some say he the day may rue, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Ye can tell gin this be true, bonny laddie, highland laddie.

Would yet tell me gin ye ken, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Aught o’ Donald and his men, bonny laddie, highland laddie?

Tell me o’ my kilted Clan, bonny laddie, highland laddie,

Gin they fought, or gin they ran, bonny laddie, highland laddie?