Scotish Minstrel Miscellany

[Old Scottish Music Contents]

The music here is from a series of books I lent Paul Burns out the RSH archive, ‘Scotish Minstrel’ (undated 19thC publications). He has very wonderfully provided these for us from them.

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Jenny has kindly loaned to me some rare books in her ‘Scotish Minstrel’ collection of Vocal melodies.

This tune can be found in volume 5 and is song 2 entitled ‘The Bonnie Breast Knots.’

The title refers to a lady’s “breast knot” – the decoration of ribbons on the bodice of a woman’s dress.

Headphones recommended.

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Braes O’ Killicrankie is from volume 4 of the ‘Scotish Minstrel Collection’. The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought in June, 1689.

Where hae ye been sae braw, lad?

Where hae ye been sae brankie-o?

Where hae ye been sae braw, lad?

Cam’ ye by Killiecrankie-o?

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An’ ye had been where I hae been

Ye wadna been sae cantie-o

An’ ye had seen what I hae seen

On the braes o’ Killiecrankie-o

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I fought at land, I fought at sea

At hame I fought my auntie-o

But I met the Devil and Dundee

On the braes o’ Killiecrankie-o

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The bauld pitcur fell in a furr

And Clavers gat a clankie-o

Or I had fed an Athol gled

On the braes o’ Killiecrankie-o

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This tune title in the ‘Scotish Minstrel’ is  ‘Strathearn.’

The tune is actually titled ‘Miss Carmichael’s Minuet’ (Circa 1768).

A poem accompanies the tune, entitled ‘Adieu To Strathearn,’ by Carolina Oliphant (1766 to 1845), Baroness Nairn.

Strathearn, oh! how shall I quit thy sweet groves?

How bid thee a long, oh! an endless adieu?

Sad memory over such happiness roves,

As not hope’s own magic can never renew.

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Sweet scene of my childhood, delight of my youth!

Thy far-winding waters no more I must see;

Thy high-wavering bowers, thy gay woodland flowers,

They wave now, they bloom now, no longer for me.

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Please Thank Paul for his Contribution to the preservation of Scottish History by

Buying Him a Coffee