Highland Laddie
Encyclopedia
Highland Laddie, also known as Hielan' Laddie, is the name of an ancient Scottish
popular folk tune If thou'lt play me fair play, but as with many old melodies, various sets of words can be sung to it and Robert Burns' poem 'Highland Laddie, Highland Lassie' has been the most memorable. Highland Regiments raised in the 18th and early 19th centuries employed many unique symbols to differentiate themselves from other regiments and enlisted distinctive music to announce their arrival, but as a result of the Cardwell Reforms of 1881, all British Army
Highland Regiments were required to use 'Highland Laddie' as their Regimental March. Over time, many of these regiments had managed to return to their pre-Cardwell marches when, in March 2006, the establishment of the Royal Regiment of Scotland saw the disappearance of all Scotland's historic infantry regiments and their distinctions, including music, and the adoption of a new Regimental March, "Scotland the Brave
". If thou'lt play me fair play has been reworked several times since Burns set down his words and the latest has been a version recorded by the Newfoundland
folk rock
band Great Big Sea
as "Donkey Riding."
regiments with Scottish affiliations. Some of these regiments include:
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
, of the "national dance" subtype. Most national dances are usually danced in an Aboyne dress, but the Highland Laddie is one of two national dances that are typically danced in the standard kilt-based outfit, the other being Wilt thou go to the barracks, Johnny?
.
for Scottish Dances. Typically categorized as a "Quick March," Highland Laddie is normally written in 2/4 time. The "standard" setting contains two parts (8 bars per part). As with any of the older melodies, variations have been composed and some published with the most distinctive settings appearing in Pipe Major Wm Ross' 1885 book containing eight parts to 'Highland Laddie'.
, 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?
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
popular folk tune If thou'lt play me fair play, but as with many old melodies, various sets of words can be sung to it and Robert Burns' poem 'Highland Laddie, Highland Lassie' has been the most memorable. Highland Regiments raised in the 18th and early 19th centuries employed many unique symbols to differentiate themselves from other regiments and enlisted distinctive music to announce their arrival, but as a result of the Cardwell Reforms of 1881, all British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
Highland Regiments were required to use 'Highland Laddie' as their Regimental March. Over time, many of these regiments had managed to return to their pre-Cardwell marches when, in March 2006, the establishment of the Royal Regiment of Scotland saw the disappearance of all Scotland's historic infantry regiments and their distinctions, including music, and the adoption of a new Regimental March, "Scotland the Brave
Scotland the Brave
"Scotland the Brave" is a Scottish patriotic song. It was one of several songs considered an unofficial national anthem of Scotland.Scotland the Brave is also the authorised pipe band march of The British Columbia Dragoons of the Canadian Forces, and is played during the Pass in Review at Friday...
". If thou'lt play me fair play has been reworked several times since Burns set down his words and the latest has been a version recorded by the Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
band Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage...
as "Donkey Riding."
Regiments
Highland Laddie continues to be the Regimental March of a number of British and CommonwealthCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
regiments with Scottish affiliations. Some of these regiments include:
United Kingdom
- The Royal Scots Dragoon GuardsRoyal Scots Dragoon GuardsThe Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, and the senior Scottish regiment. It was formed on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh, by the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) (SCOTS DG) is a cavalry regiment of...
- The Scots GuardsScots GuardsThe Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
- The London ScottishLondon Scottish (regiment)The London Scottish is a unit of the British Army. Formerly a regiment, the unit is now a company of The London Regiment.-Founding of the regiment:...
- The Tyneside ScottishTyneside ScottishTyneside Scottish is an honour title which has been held by a variety of British Army units since 1914. The Regiments which have held the title are the Northumberland Fusiliers, Durham Light Infantry, Black Watch and Royal Artillery....
Canada
- 1st Air Defence Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish)
- The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaThe Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaThe Black Watch of Canada is a reserve infantry regiment in 34 Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area. The regiment is located on rue de Bleury in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Plourde...
- The Royal Highland Fusiliers of CanadaThe Royal Highland Fusiliers of CanadaThe Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Prince Andrew, as a member of the Canadian Royal Family, acts as Colonel-in-Chief. Previously, this post was held by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon....
- 2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia HighlandersThe Nova Scotia HighlandersThe Nova Scotia Highlanders is a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.- Creation :The regiment was formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, The Cape Breton Highlanders, and The Pictou Highlanders....
- The Essex and Kent ScottishThe Essex and Kent ScottishThe Essex and Kent Scottish is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.The regiment was formed in 1954 by the amalgamation of The Essex Scottish Regiment and The Kent Regiment....
- The 48th Highlanders of Canada48th Highlanders of CanadaThe 48th Highlanders of Canada is a Canadian Forces Primary Reserve infantry regiment based in Toronto, parading out of Moss Park Armoury. The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group....
- The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment
- The Calgary Highlanders
Australia
- 16th Battalion (The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia)
- 41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales RegimentThe 41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment, , is an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. A Reserve unit, it is one of four battalions of the Royal New South Wales Regiment and is attached to the 8th Brigade, 2nd Division...
(The Byron Regiment)
New Zealand
- 1st Armoured Car Regiment (New Zealand Scottish)
Highland dance
Highland Laddie is also the name of a dance in Scottish Highland dancingScottish highland dance
The term Highland dance or Highland dancing is used today to refer to a style of athletic solo dancing which developed in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland...
, of the "national dance" subtype. Most national dances are usually danced in an Aboyne dress, but the Highland Laddie is one of two national dances that are typically danced in the standard kilt-based outfit, the other being Wilt thou go to the barracks, Johnny?
Wilt thou go to the barracks, Johnny?
Wilt thou go to the barracks, Johnny? is a national dance in Highland dancing, and was originally a recruitment dance for the Scottish Army. It is usually performed wearing the highland dance costume , though rarely in competitions...
.
Settings
As a tune with martial affiliations Highland Laddie is still widely played by the regimental bands and/or pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments. As a traditional Scottish tune, Highland Laddie is also commonly played on the bagpipesBagpipes
Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from...
for Scottish Dances. Typically categorized as a "Quick March," Highland Laddie is normally written in 2/4 time. The "standard" setting contains two parts (8 bars per part). As with any of the older melodies, variations have been composed and some published with the most distinctive settings appearing in Pipe Major Wm Ross' 1885 book containing eight parts to 'Highland Laddie'.
Canadian Settings
'Highland Laddie', as a Regimental March used by many Canadian Highland regiments, demonstrates a variety of settings depending upon which music book and/or instructor was used in any particular area. Some regiments play two parts and some a four part version as their Regimental March. Not all the parts are in the same order and some are not played at all.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 RisingJacobite rising
The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by...
, 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?
See also
- Kate DalrympleKate Dalrymple"Kate Dalrymple" is a traditional Scottish reel in the key of A. The melody is based on an ancient folk-tune. There are accompanying words, written by William Watt, and the piece is something of a tongue-twister to sing for those unfamiliar with the Scots language...
- a ScottishScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
reelReel (dance)The reel is a folk dance type as well as the accompanying dance tune type. In Scottish country dancing, the reel is one of the four traditional dances, the others being the jig, the strathspey and the waltz, and is also the name of a dance figure ....
sharing the same folk-tune melody as Highland Laddie. - Authorized marches of the Canadian ForcesAuthorized marches of the Canadian ForcesThe following is a list of the notable authorized marches for various organizations of the Canadian Forces. The first march listed is the march most commonly performed for that organization on parade; it is commonly referred to simply as that organization's "march" or "march past"...
- Bill MillinBill MillinWilliam "Bill" Millin , commonly known as Piper Bill, was personal piper to Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, commander of 1 Special Service Brigade at D-Day.- Early life :...
- A piper who played the song during the Scottish landing on Sword Beach during WW2