Paul Burns has provided some music, as composed by Robert Archibald Smith, for us.
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Firstly we have On wi’ the Tartan, as composed by R. A. Smith, from 1843. Words as per Hugh Ainslie.
Can ye lo’e, my dear lassie,
The hills wild and free,
Whar the sang o’ the shepherd
Gars a’ ring wi’ glee?
Or the steep rocky glens,
Where the wild falcons bide?
Then on wi’ the tartan,
And fy let us ride!
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Can ye lo’e the knowes, lassie,
That ne’er war in rigs?
Or the bonnie loune lee,
Where the sweet robin biggs?
Or the sang o’ the lintie,
Whan wooin’ his bride?
Then on wi’ the tartan,
And fy let us ride!
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Can ye lo’e the burn, lassie.
That loups amang linns?
Or the bonnie green howmes
Where it cannilie rins?
Wi’ a cantie bit housie,
Sae snug by its side?
Then on wi’ the tartan,
And fy let us ride!
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This song, What’s A The Steer Kimmer?, is ascribed in John Greig’s ‘Scots Minstrelsie,’ vol. III (6 vol. published between 1880 and 1903) to the Scotsman Robert Allan (1774-1841). It is about the excitement caused by the news of Charlie’s landing in 1745. It was published in the ‘Scottish Minstrel’ edited by Robert Archibald Smith (1780-1829), vol. II, p.16 (1823).
Version of 1715
What’s a’ the steer, kimmer, what’s a’ the steer?
Jamie he is landed and soon he will be here.
Gae lace your boddice blue, lassie, lace your boddice blue
Put on your Sunday claes and trim your cap anew.
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For I’m right glad o’heart, kimmer, right glad o’heart,
I ha’e a bonnie breast-knot and for his sake I’ll wear’t
Gin’ Jamie has come hame, I ha’e nae cause tae fear
Bid the neebors a’come doun and welcome Jamie here.
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Where’s Roland Tod, lassie? Rin an’ bring him here,
Bid him bring his pipe, lassie, bid him soun’ them clear
We’ll taste the barley-mow and foot it bravely here
Gin Jamie has come hame, we’ll gie him hearty cheer.
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What’s a’ the steer, kimmer, what’s a’ the steer?
Jamie he is landed and soon he will be here.
Bid Allan Ramsey rin, bid him kill the fatted deer,
Oh the neebors little ken how we’ll welcome Jamie here!
– From Alexander Lee’s music record (1840)
Version of 1745
What’s a’ the steer, kimmer, what’s a’ the steer?
Charlie he is landed and haith, he will be here.
The win’ was at his back, carle, the win’ was at his back
I care na sin he’s came, carle, we were na worth a plack.
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I’m right glad to hear’t, kimmer, I’m right glad to hear’t,
I ha’e a gude braid claymore, and for his sake I’ll wear’t:
Sin’ Charlie he is landed, we ha’e nae mair to fear;
Sin’ Charlie he is come, kimmer, we’ll ha’e a jub’lee year.
– From R.A. Smith’s “Scottish Minstrel” (1823)
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Please Thank Paul for his Contribution to the preservation of Scottish History by
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