Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins

Subject: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 19 Nov 00 - 09:01 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics to the first verse of "Whaur Gadie Rins" as performed by the Old Blind Dogs on their "Live" CD. I've scoured the internet and come up with plenty of versions, but none of them are the same as I hear on the CD. By listening over and over, I've managed to discern most of the song, but the first verse eludes me...the braid Scots is a bit too braid for me there.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 00 - 09:57 PM

It's Gaudie, and in DT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 00 - 08:04 AM

Actually, Sarah is right and the transcription in the DT is wrong; it's Gadie; a stream in Aberdeenshire which rises at the back of Bennachie Hill and flows into the Urie, a tributary of the Don. To expand just a little on Guest's comment: usually, finding a song round here isn't too hard once you're used to the idea that song titles vary a lot, and not just in the way they're spelled; often they will have a title quite different from what you might reasonably expect, so searching by keywords is often a better bet. (The "Digitrad and Forum Search" facility on the main Forum page is very good when it's working; unfortunately at present it's broken.) If you were to type gadie into the "Lyrics Search" box on this page, you would get Bennachie (2) which is a version of the song collected by Gavin Greig, with some useful background information. Logically, there must be a "Bennachie (1)"; if you now search for Bennachie you'll find the version you're looking for, though whoever transcribed it doesn't seem to have been terribly familiar with Scottish spelling. I know it seems a bit convoluted, but this is such a big site that a certain amount of lateral thinking can be a help when looking for things, particularly when the new search engine is off sick.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST,Dita
Date: 20 Nov 00 - 10:55 AM

Hamish Imlach recorded this on his first Xtra album (The White Album), the one with Black is the Colour and Cod Liver Oil.
I remember Hamish saying that "Gadie" had been written by a member of his family. (Great, great, grandfather or some such. Hamish was not one to make wild, unsubstantiated claims.
love, john.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 00 - 01:40 PM

There are 5 versions in 'The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection', VI, #1223. In the singer's title for their song it's 'Gadie' in two and 'Gaudie' in two (including the A version, the only one with a tune).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 20 Nov 00 - 09:49 PM

I went to Bennachie, as instructed, and am now doing a wild dance of joy. Thanks, Malcolm!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Nov 00 - 10:15 PM

Glad it worked.  This is not a good week, so far, to be searching for things!  A little more background:   So far as I know, the melody of "O If I were where Gadie Runs" (also known as "The Hessian's March") first appeared in print around 1820, though the tune is presumably considerably older, and the earliest set of words for it is traditionally ascribed to Arthur Johnston (born 1578).  A version of the song was put together by one John Imlah (1749-1846) of Aberdeen; presumably the putative ancestor Hamish Imlach spoke of.  A.L. Lloyd had this to say about the tune:  Probably the widest known version of the tune is the one commonly attached to the nursery rhyme: "If I had a donkey that wouldn't go, Would I beat him? Oh no, no".

(Information from "My Son David" and "O gin I were where Gadie Rins": A note on Tune Relationships and Local Song-Making"; David Porter, Folk Music Journal, vol.3 no.5, 1975).

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 21 Nov 00 - 08:16 PM

While we're on the subject, I know what "lowrin'" is, but if anyone knows what the verse is about where "the king was killed at the lowrin'fair", please tell me. I know it baffled the aforesaid H Imlach, so I'm not alone!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Nov 00 - 12:19 AM

There isn't a king.  The line is generally "The tane (i.e. the one) was killed" or "There ane was killed", "The first was killed" or something similar.  Now that the Search facility is up and running again, I can refer you to this thread from last year:  Help! Old Blind Dogs lyrics: Bennachie.  Murray of Saltspring states there that "Lowrin or Lowren Fair... is "Lawrence Fair", the name of two fairs, one held in Rayne, Aberdeenshire ... and the other at Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, in mid-August."  There are (Saint) Lawrence Fairs, usually on August 6th, in quite a lot of other places, too, not all in Scotland; including Kirkandrews (in Kirkcudbrightshire, where there is also a Lowran and a river Dee, as it happens), but the Aberdeenshire location does seem most likely in the circumstances.

Malcolm

Subject: Lyr Add: GIN I WERE WHAUR THE GAUDIE RINS
From: GUEST,eezer
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 06:25 PM

i live about 5 miles from Bennachie, and can tell you it's definately spelt "Gaudie", but pronounced "Gaddy" (like daddy).

The O.B.D version is very different to that in Ord's Bothy Ballads, and, if it'll help, i'll transcript it here.

As sung (doric version):

Gin i were whaur the gaudie rins, the gaudie rins, the gaudie rins
Gin i were whaur the gaudie rins, oot the back O'Bennachie

i niver had but twa richt lads, twa richt lads, twa richt lads
i niver had but twa richt lads, that dearly courted me

an' ane was killed at the laurin' fair, the laurin' fair, the laurin' fair
O' ane was killed at the laurin' fair, the ither was droont in the Dee

an' i gaed tae him the haunin' fine, the haunin' fine, the haunin' fine
i gaed tae him the haunin' fine, this mornin' dressed tae be

well he gaed tae me the linin fine, the linen fine, the linen fine
gaed tae me the linen fine, big windin' sheet it be

Gin i were whaur the gaudie rins, wi the bonny broom an' the yellow whims
Gin i were whaur the gaudie rins, oot the back O' Bennachie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 07:25 PM

It's good to hear that they've settled on a standard spelling. The majority of printed versions of the song (including John Imlah's) insist on the alternative "Gadie". I don't suppose OBD mentioned where they got that particular set, did they? Thanks for dealing with the long-unanswered question in the thread I linked to in the previous post; three years ago, now. How time flies...

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GAUDIE (from Hamish Imlach)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 07:58 PM

Just in order to make clear the extent of Hamish Imlach's claims, here are the sleevenotes from his 'Scottish Sabbath' LP (1976):

"Die Melodie dieses Liedes stammt aus Hessen. Hessische Söldner in der britischen Armee hatten sie mitgebracht. In Schottland wurde es eine bekannte Dudelsack- und Geigenmelodie. Mein Urgroßvater, der Reverend John Imlach, machte einen Text dazu. (Ja, ich habe einen presbyterianischen Pastor als Vorfahren!)"
(The tune is originally from Hessia, brought over by Hessian mercenaries in the British army. In Scotland it became a popular tune for the fiddle and the pipes. My great-grandfather wrote a set of lyrics for it. (Yes, among my ancestors there is a Presbyterian pastor!))

I suppose that these are the lyrics Hamish used to sing. They go:

THE GAUDIE (translated as 'the salmon')

Chorus:
Oh gin I were where the Gaudie rins
Where the Gaudie rins, Gaudie rins
Gin I were where the Gaudie rins
At the foot o' Bennachie

I never had but twa richt lads
Dearly loved me
The tane was killed at the Lowrin' Fair
T' other was drooned in the Dee

Had they geen my love e'en man for man
Or yet a man tae three
But they crooded in so thick on him
He couldnae fecht or flee

He gie'd tae me the Holland fine
Our wedding dress tae be
I gie'd tae him the linen fine
His winding sheet tae be

The collection 'Songs of Scotland I' also states, "Written by John Imlah from Aberdeenshire, for some years tuner and traveller for Messrs. Broadwood & Sons. Published two volumes of poems and songs." I found this 19th-century (I believe) collection in the German Folk Song Archive at Freiburg some years ago. Unfortunately, due to a major refurbishment at the time I was thrown out before I could note down author and year, and compare the lyrics. I've been planning to go back ever since ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 08:02 PM

Sorry, I forgot to say that I left out the repetitions in the above lyrics, so each verse is represented by two lines only. Should have split them up!

Subject: Lyr Add: OH, GIN I WERE WHERE GADIE RINS (J Imlah)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 08:25 PM

John Imlah's text is in Songs of Scotland II, edited by Myles B. Foster (Boosey, n.d., pp. 112-113). Vol. I, edited by J. Pittman and Colin Brown, with notes by Dr Charles MacKay, is dated 1877. Imlah's text is rather different from the usual one (of which we have several variants here, now, some more reliable than others) but the tune is the same.


OH, GIN I WERE WHERE GADIE RINS

(John Imlah, 1749-1846)

Oh gin I were where Gadie rins,
Where Gadie rins, where Gadie rins,
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins,
By the foot o' Bennachie!

I've roamed by Tweed, I've roamed by Tay,
By border Nith and Highland Spey,
But dearer far to me than they,
The braes o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

When summer cleads the varied scene—
Wi' licht o' gowd and leaves o' green,
I fain wad be where aft I've been—
At the foot o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

When winter winds blaw sharp and shrill.
O'er icy burn and sheeted hill,
The ingle neuk is gleesome still
At the foot o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

Though few to welcome me remain;
Though a' I loved are dead and gane;
I'll back, though I should live alane,
To the foot o' Bennachie!
Oh gin I were where Gadie rins...

Subject: Lyr Add: OH! GIN I WERE WHERE GADIE RINS
From: masato sakurai
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 01:27 AM

The version in The Scottish Minstrel: The Songs of Scotland Subsequent to Burns, by Rev. Charles Rogers William P. Nimmo, 1872 ed., p. 271; lyrics only) and Maver's Collection of Genuine Scottish Melodies, edited by George Alexander (Robert Maver, n.d.[18??], p. 235; with music) is longer. The following text is from the former (differences from the latter are given in square brackets). John Imlah was born in North Street, Aberdeen, on the 15th November 1779.

OH![O!] GIN I WERE WHERE GADIE RINS

    Oh![O!] gin I were where Gadie rins,
    Where Gadie rins, where Gadie rins--
    Oh,[O!] gin I were where Gadie rins
       By the foot o' Bennachie!

I've roam'd by Tweed, I've roam'd by Tay,
By Border Nith, and Highland Spey,
But dearer far to me than they
    The braes o' Bennachie.

When blade and blossoms sprout in spring,
And bid the burdies[birdies] wag the wing,
They blythely bob, and soar, and sing
    By the foot o' Bennachie.

When simmer cleeds the varied scene
Wi' licht o' gow'd[gowd] and leaves o' green,
I fain woud[wad] be where aft I've been
    At the foot o' Bennachie.

When autumn's yellow sheaf is shorn,
And barn-yards stored wi' stooks o' corn,
'Tis blythe to toom the clyack horn
    At the foot o' Bennachie.

When winter winds blaw sharp and shrill
O'er icy burn and sheeted hill,
The ingle neuk is gleesome still
    At the foot o' Bennachie.

Though few to welcome me remain,
Though a' I loved[lov'd] be dead and gane,
I'll back, though, I should live alane,
    To the foot o' Bennachie.

   Oh,[O!] gin I were where Gadie rins,
   Where Gadie rins, where Gadie rins--
   Oh,[O!] gin I were where Gadie rins
       By the foot o' Bennachie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: masato sakurai
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 01:42 AM

"O Gin I Were Gadie Rins" is also in John Greig's Scots Minstrelsie, vol. I (1893).

p. 114
p. 115
p. 116
p. viii (notes)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: masato sakurai
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 01:47 AM

Correction: Imlah was born in 1799.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 07:12 PM

Thanks, Malcolm and Masato. Conclusion: Hamish is right in his claim that an ancestor wrote lyrics to the tune - but not the ones he sings! I've yet to check Hamish's other (earlier) recording I have. If that is closer to John Imlah's text I'll report back here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Kenny B
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 04:04 PM

I have this "version" Sung by/ Written by ?

GADIE RINS aka The BACK o' BENNACHIE

Chorus
There's meal and ale where the Gaddie rins,
Wi' the yellow broom and the bonnie whins,
There's meal and ale where the Gaddie rins,
At the back o' Bennachie

As I cam' 'roon fae Bennachie
A bonny lassie I did see,
I gaed her a wink and she smiled at me ,
At the back o' Bennachie, .... Chorus

Oh I took the lassie oan ma knee,
Her kilt was short abune her knee,
I says ma lassie will ye come wi' me,
Tae the back o' Bennachie, .... Chorus

I says tae her "Pit oan yer kilt,
Yer awfy braw an' gey well built,
Ye can wear yer plaidie alang wi' yer kilt,
At the back o' Bennachie, .... Chorus

Oh when her mither comes tae ken,
We hiv tae run noo frae oor hame,
And sleep in the heather up in the glen,
At the back o' Bennachie, .... Chorus

Oh here's tae the lassie o' Bennachie,
I'll never gang back there for tae see,
I'll bide wi' ma mither until ah dee,
At the back o' Bennachie, .... Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 04:59 PM

No idea, Kenny! Looks like a sort of parody, to prove it's not just the girls who suffer ...

Subject: Lyr Add: O! GIN I WERE WHARE GADIE ROWES (J Imlah)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 08:27 AM

This may be the original, from "May Flowers. Poems and Songs: Some in the Scottish Dialect" By John Imlah, 1827.

O! GIN I WERE WHARE GADIE ROWES.

CHORUS: O! Gin I were whare Gadie rowes
Thro' rashie haughs and whinnie howes:
O! gin I were whare Gadie rowes,
By the fit o' Bennochie!

Whare partial nature loves to strew
The wildest flow'rs o' fairest hue
That sip the siller draps o' dew,
By the fit o' Bennochie.
O! gin I were, &c.

Whare wing the blithest o' the brood,
That charm the welkin an' the wood,
To lilt their notes in merriest mood, .
By the fit o' Bennochie!
O! gin I were, &c.

When Gadie glances back the beam
O' morning's shine—their smilings seem
On meeting lover's looks to gleam,
By the fit o' Bennochie!
O! gin I were &c.

There smiled the morning o' my life,
But syne I've been my Willie's wife
My day has dreed war's stormy strife,
Far, far, frae Bennochie.
O! gin I were &c.

Tho' kith an' kin hae closed on me
Their doors an' hearts that I should be
A sodger's wife—still lat me see
The fit o' Bennochie.
O! gin I were &c.

Then soon—oh! soon may bludeshed cease,
An' faes meet frien's to part in peace!
Then bliss will wi' our years increase,
By the fit o' Bennochie.
O! gin I were &c.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: Scotus
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 10:34 AM

The version that Kenny B posted back in 04 seems very close to the great one that I remember being sung by Lizzie Higgins. Does anyone else remember her version?

Jack

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: GUEST
Date: 01 May 09 - 02:27 AM

The best version of Gin I were where the Gaudie runs is by Robin Hall and Jimmy MacGregor. No wonder they wrote a song about that area as I was recently near bennachie and it's beautiful. Nicer than anywhere near Glasgow where I live with the exception of Loch Lomond :-) and the Ben. Aye yer right, I cant find the wordds tae this song anywhere

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whaur Gadie Rins
From: BobKnight
Date: 01 May 09 - 07:30 AM

"Guest" Eezer (Dec '03)gave the lyrics:
"bonnie broom and the yellow whims" That should read "whins" which is gorse - a thorny bush with yellow blossom which grows prolifically on Scottish hillsides and moors.