A Sang Frae Moneyrea

Author: Robert Huddleston

Date: 1993

Source: Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots: Nummer 1 Spring 1993

(Unto yon Gowany Glen I’m gaun)

The following song in two parts was written by Robert Huddleston about 1870. He set both parts to a familiar tune he knew as Let me in this ae night. This was an old Scottish tune previously called Will ye lend me your loom lass until it had been used by Burns to set his song Let me in this ae night. The chorus of Burns’ song is similar to Huddleston’s:

O let me in this ae night

This ae, ae, ae night

For pitys sake this ae night

O rise and let me in, jo.

Indeed, Burns’ song was also written in two parts, with his second part called ‘Her Answer’ in the same way as Huddleston’s.

Unto yon Gowany glen I’m gaun

O lassie wilt thou come alang —

And hear the blackbird’s bonnie sang

As blythe he’s on yon tree, O.

Chorus:

O wilt thou go wi me lass

Wi me, me, me lass —

O dinna cruel be lass

but come your wa’s wi me, O

The golden god of sultry day

Lang syne to woo has gane away

And Thetis to his wish obey

Yet I maun prig wi’ thee O.

Chorus: O wilt thou, etc

Yon’s Luna, mark! I see her ray

Now rising ower yon distant brae

How sweet beneath her beams to stray

In love and unity O.

Chorus: O wilt thou, etc

Fu’ weel ye ken thy coaxin’ smiles

Thy witchin’ gait and maiden wiles

Have caused me oft to travel miles

And stole my heart frae me O.

Chorus: O wilt thou, etc

To traitor prove I ha’ent the heart

I prize too high thy virgin part

To trust me you might in the mirk

Tho’ dark as dark could be O.

Chorus; O wilt thou, etc

HER ANSWER

O fleetch me nae wi’ flatterin’ tongue

The eve’s far spent and I’m but young

I winna gang, I canna won

To cease your fun wi’ me O.

Chorus:

O I’ll no gae wi’ thee lad

Wi’ thee, thee, thee lad

O ance for a’ my slee lad

Ken I’ll no gae wi’ thee O.

Wi’ thee I winna gang my lane

Wi’ thee decline the lonesome plain

The murky trip might be my shame

And to’t I’ll no agree O

Chorus: O I’ll no gae, etc

O treacherous is the heart o’ man

And wad I chance we thee to gang

Sure we might dae things that was rang

As rang as rang could be O

Chorus: O I’ll no gae, etc

O quiss me not about the moon

Before you say she’s chaste aboon

Let first poor, silly woman soun’

How aft she’s led astray O

Chorus: O I’ll no gae, etc

The thrush that’s breedin in the scrogg

Knows not when she’s the weesle’s prog

Nor does the hare know when the dog

May cruely on her prey O.

Chorus: O I’ll no gae, etc

Glossary

gowanydaisy covered

lang synelong ago, long since

maunmust

prighaggle, plead

fleetchcoax, flatter, entreat

wonstay, abide

sleeclever

my laneby myself

rangwrong

quissquiz

aboonabove

scroggstunted bush, undergrowth

progplundered goods

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