HILLS OF GLENSHEE
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Time signature: 3/4
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This variant of the ballad "Lass of Glensee" (Andrew Sharpe?)
is attributed to Harry Hibbs (See youTube video below). See the BACK-GROUND notes for other versions, youTube videos, and more info. |
An Accordion Tune To Learn "BY EAR"
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Lyrics: (as arranged and recorded by Harry Hibbs, 1980)
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One fine summer's mornin' as I went out walkin',
Just as the grey dawn flew over the sea, I happened to spy a fair haired young damsel, Attending her flock by the hills of Glenshee. I said, pretty fair one, will you be my dear one, For I'll take you over, my bride for to be; And this very night in my arms I will hold you, While you tend your flock on the hills of Glenshee. Oh no, my dear sir, you'll not take me over, None of your footmen to wait upon me; I would rather stay home in my own homespun clothing, And attend to my flock on the hills of Glenshee. For twenty long years we've both been together, Seasons may change but there's no change in me; And if God lets me live and I have my right senses, I'll never prove false to the girl on Glenshee. She's Mary, my Mary, my own lovin' darlin', She's as pure as the perfume blows over the sea; And her cheeks are as pale as the white rose of summer, That spreads out its leaves on the hills of Glenshee. She's Mary, my Mary, my own lovin' darlin', I do love her so and I know she loves me; And I'll never prove false to my girl where I met her, No I'll never prove false to the girl on Glenshee. No I'll never prove false to the girl on Glenshee. |
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
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Key: C
Tempo: ~ bpm Singer: Harry Hibbs Accordion: Harry Hibbs Posted by: oldirishladdie |
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Key: A
Tempo: ~ bpm Accordion: Ed Sheppard guitar: Maisie Wiseman Posted by: maisie wiseman |
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Key: C
Tempo: ~ bpm Singer: Ray Johnson Accordion: Ray Johnson Posted by: Ryan98063 Song begins at time 1:33 |
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Background Materials, Information & Links
It is interesting to compare the Harry Hibbs variant to older versions, going back (perhaps) to Andrew Sharpe in the early 1800s. I've included four versions of lyrics:
1. As adapted, arranged and recorded by Harry Hibbs (Played and sung in a major key).
2. As sung by Mary Dunphy of Tors Cove and collected by MacEdward Leach (Major key).
3. Version attributed to Curran, Kennedy, O'shaughnes & Ni Mhaonaigh, perhaps
developed independently from the original. (Usually sung in a minor key; or in Dorion mode).
4. Original Scottish version (perhaps), from early 1800s. (Major key)
1. As adapted, arranged and recorded by Harry Hibbs (Played and sung in a major key).
2. As sung by Mary Dunphy of Tors Cove and collected by MacEdward Leach (Major key).
3. Version attributed to Curran, Kennedy, O'shaughnes & Ni Mhaonaigh, perhaps
developed independently from the original. (Usually sung in a minor key; or in Dorion mode).
4. Original Scottish version (perhaps), from early 1800s. (Major key)
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HILLS OF GLENSHEE (as arranged and sung by Harry Hibbs,1980)
One fine summer's mornin' as I went out walkin', Just as the grey dawn flew over the sea, I happened to spy a fair haired young damsel, Attending her flock by the hills of Glenshee. I said, pretty fair one, will you be my dear one, For I'll take you over, my bride for to be; And this very night in my arms I will hold you, While you tend your flock on the hills of Glenshee. Oh no, my dear sir, you'll not take me over, None of your footmen to wait upon me; I would rather stay home in my own homespun clothing, And attend to my flock on the hills of Glenshee. For twenty long years we've both been together, Seasons may change but there's no change in me; And if God lets me live and I have my right senses, I'll never prove false to the girl on Glenshee. She's Mary, my Mary, my own lovin' darlin', She's as pure as the perfume blows over the sea; And her cheeks are as pale as the white rose of summer, That spreads out its leaves on the hills of Glenshee. She's Mary, my Mary, my own lovin' darlin', I do love her so and I know she loves me; And I'll never prove false to my girl where I met her, No I'll never prove false to the girl on Glenshee. No I'll never prove false to the girl on Glenshee. |
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MAID OF GLENSHEE (As sung by Mrs. Mary Dunphy of Tors Cove, NL in 1950, and published in MacEdward Leach And The Songs of Atlantic Canada. This version is somewhat similar to that sung by "Dot" in the youTube video below.)
As I walked out one fine summer's morning, Just as the dawning came over the sea, I spied a fair maiden as she was a-walking, And minding her flocks on the hills of Glenshee. Said I, "Pretty fair one, if you'll be my dear one, I'll take you afar, my bride for to be, And I'll dress you up in your silks and satins, And likewise a footman to wait upon thee." "I don't want none of your silks or your satins, Neither your footman to wait upon me; I would rather stay home in my own lonesome clothing, And tend to my flocks on the hills of Glenshee." Said I, "Pretty fair one, you don't understand me, I'll take you over my bride for to be, And this very night in my arms I will hold you." She then gave consent and she came on with me. For seven long years we've been united together, Seasons have changed but there's no change in me; And if God spares to me life and the right senses, I'll never prove false to the maid of Glenshee. To part from my Mary, she's my only darling, She's sweet as the perfume that blows o'er the sea; And she's just as fair as the white robe of winter, That spreads out its fleece on the hills of Glenshee. |
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Key: G
Singer: Dot Macaulay, from Prince Edward Island Posted by: Follows Lyrics 2 above somewhat closely. Beautifully sung. |
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LASS OF GLENSHEE (As attributed to Curran, Kennedy, O'shaughnes & Ni Mhaonaigh)
One morning in springtime as day was a-dawning Bright Phoebus had risen from over the lea I spied a fair maiden as homeward she wandered From herding her flocks on the hills of Glenshee I stood in amazement, says I, "Pretty fair maid If you will come down to St. John's Town with me There's ne'er been a lady set foot in my castle There's ne'er been a lady dressed grander than thee" A coach and six horses to go at your bidding And all men that speak shall say "ma'am unto thee Fine servants to serve you and go at your bidding I'll make you my bride, my sweet lass of Glenshee "Oh what do I care for your castles and coaches? And what do I care for your gay grandeury? I'd rather be home at my cot, at my spinning Or herding my flocks on the hills of Glenshee" "Away with such nonsense and get up beside me E'er summer comes on my sweet bride you will be And then in my arms I will gently caress thee" 'Twas then she consented, I took her with me Seven years have rolled on since we were united There's many's a change, but there's no change on me And my love, she's as fair as that morn on the mountain When I plucked me a wild rose on the hills of Glenshee |
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Key: Am (?)
Singer: Chris Galvin Posted by: Chris Galvin Follows Lyrics 3 above fairly closely. Am is the relative minor of C. Great playing, as well. |
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Key: G#m (?)
Singer: Robert Lawrence Posted by: Green-Lawrence- Music Follows Lyrics 3 above fairly closely. G#m is the relative minor of B. |
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ORIGINAL (Scottish Version) (As attributed to Andrew Sharpe (early 1800s), and printed in Folk Songs of the Catskills, by Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufecht and Norman Studer, Page 123) - There are 12 verses in this original, six of which I've included. To listen to this version (though somewhat translated), click on this youTube LINK.
Ae braw summer day, when the heather was blooming, And the silent hills hummed wi' the honey-lade-bee, I met a fair maid as I hameward was roaming, A-herding' her sheep on the hills o' Glenshee. The rose on her cheek, it was gem'd wi' a dimple, And blithe was the blink o' her bonnie blue e'e; Her face was enchantin', sae sweet and sae simple, My heart soon belanged to the olass of Glenshee. I kiss'd and caress'd her, and said, "My dear lassie, If you willo but gang to St. Johnstone wi' me, There's name o' the fair shall set foot on the causeway Wi' cothing mair fine than the lass o' Glenshee. "Dinna think o' sic stories, but come up behind me, Ere Phoebus gae round my sweet bride you shall be This night, in my arms, I'll dote on you kindly;" She smiled, she consented. I took her wi' me. Now years ha'e gane by since we buskit thegither, And seasons ha'e changed, but nae chane is wi' me, She's ever as gay as the fine summer weather, When the sun's at its height on the hills o'Glenshee. To meet wi' my Jenny my life I would venture, She's sweet as the echo that rings on the lea; She's spotless and pure as the snaw-robe o'winter, When laid out to bleach ont he hills o'Glenshee. |
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Key: D
Group: Riverside Ceilidh Band Singer: Tom Laurie Posted by: SonOfLabrador From their CD "First Footing" Follows Lyrics 4 above fairly closely. |
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Key: F
Singers: Billy Ross & Billy Jackson Posted by: UISTMAN59 Follows Lyrics 4 above fairly closely. |
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Background Links:
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