The Lass o Glenshee

Original Track ID

SA1965.159.A19

Original Tape ID

SA1965.159

Summary

In this song, the singer falls in love with a young woman tending sheep on the hills of Glenshee, and offers her a life of luxury and comfort if she will go with him: "A carriage of pleasure you shall aye have to ride in / And all the gentry will say 'Madam' tae ye, / Servants you shall have for to do your bidding, / I'll mak ye a Lady, o Lass o Glenshee." Despite this offer and other assurances of his unending affection, she replies that she would rather live happily as a simple shepherdess in Glenshee; she also describes how the gentry would view her as his lady: "Dressed up like a witch in her hamely-spun plaidie." He reassures her and manages to persuade her to go with him, and they leave on his horse. Many years later, he remarks on the constancy of their love ever since.

The contributor learned the song from many of his family members.

Item Notes

11 verses of 4 lines; sung to the same tune as 'Johnnie, My Man' (aka 'Farewell to Whisky') (Roud Folk Song Index no. 845, Greig-Duncan no. 587) [Gavin Grieg remarked on hearing 'Johnnie My Man' sung to the tune of 'Lass o Glenshee'].

This song was reputedly written by Andrew Sharpe (died at Bridgend, Perth, 5th February 1817).

See:
Greig-Duncan vol. 5, pp. 50-58, no. 953
'Bothy Songs & Ballads' (J. Ord, 1930) pp. 75-76
'Harp of Perthshire' (R. Ford, 1893) pp. 146-148
'Vagabond Songs & Ballads' vol. 1 (R. Ford, 1899) pp. 12-14
'Sam Henry's Songs of the People' (G. Huntington, 1990) pp. 486-487
National Library of Scotland, Broadside Ballad collection, L.C.Fol.178.A.2(120) (1860-1890)

Recording Location

Item Location

Language

Scots

Genre

Song Information

Collection

SoSS

Classification

R292 GD953 LO6

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Fair