I need some help with the words to Rattlin' Roarin' Willie. I have a CD of this but I can't understand everything. I'm fairly certain Willie didn't "go to the fair to sell his fiddle and buy some underwear" (however my jr high students would love it if this were the case!). Thank you.
PS just checked out that website; I didn't know the song was by Robert Burns. I'm way meeting my teaching assessment goals at school now. Thak you very much!
The first two verses are traditional, Burns added the third verse as a tribute to William Dunbar. Dunbar being the Colonel of the Crochallan Fencibles, an Edinburgh convivial club of which Burns was a member.
As in John Masefield's immortal lines: I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky / I left my vest and pants there, and I wonder if they're dry...
Just to lower the tone a bit....... apologies for doing so, of course no-one on this website behaves in such a manner, but..
There is the theory that "Rattlin' Roarin' Willie" was more a description of "Oor Rabbie's" behaviour with the fairer sex, rather than flogging his fiddle for a drink.....
Oh,my--Willie's reputation has headed southward since yesterday. Hmmm, not such a good role model for impressionable young minds. Oh, well--I'm going to teach it anyway, I like the tune. Maybe I should just use the underwear lyrics. (I hope my superintendent isn't a secret member of The Session.)
Well, in one of his own songs RB had a neighbor lady at his birth predict he'd "gar the lassies lie aspar" --- so I think the Tannies' speculation is not without merit!
I wonder how many people understood that? Of course he did "gar the lassies lie aspar" too, lots of times! Which reminds me of the first time I heard "The Steggie song" on Radio Scotland, sung by Rod Paterson - I was very surprised it was broadcast - the powers that be obviously didn't understand the lyrics (although the programme presenter did)!
Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
I need some help with the words to Rattlin' Roarin' Willie. I have a CD of this but I can't understand everything. I'm fairly certain Willie didn't "go to the fair to sell his fiddle and buy some underwear" (however my jr high students would love it if this were the case!). Thank you.
# Posted on August 29th 2005 by dmarie
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Check out this site:
http://www.dickalba.demon.co.uk/songs/texts/rrwillie.html
"ither wares" = other wares I think.
Sorry to spoil your students fun!
# Posted on August 29th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
PS just checked out that website; I didn't know the song was by Robert Burns. I'm way meeting my teaching assessment goals at school now. Thak you very much!
# Posted on August 29th 2005 by dmarie
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
The first two verses are traditional, Burns added the third verse as a tribute to William Dunbar. Dunbar being the Colonel of the Crochallan Fencibles, an Edinburgh convivial club of which Burns was a member.
# Posted on August 29th 2005 by lochin
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
"...buy some underwear"
Love it !! Thanks dmarie - you've cheered me up no end, just before I go to the dentist !
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by Kenny
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Better yet, ...buy some underwear from a Fencible. Are we dealing in stolen undergoods?
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by Owell Mabee
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
As in John Masefield's immortal lines: I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky / I left my vest and pants there, and I wonder if they're dry...
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by RichardB
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Cue Thread for Misheard Lyrics, starting with "Gladly, the cross-eyed Bear..." I'm sure there was one here a minute ago...
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by Innocent Bystander
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Just to lower the tone a bit....... apologies for doing so, of course no-one on this website behaves in such a manner, but..
There is the theory that "Rattlin' Roarin' Willie" was more a description of "Oor Rabbie's" behaviour with the fairer sex, rather than flogging his fiddle for a drink.....
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Some people think that's what he died of....
[ Roy Gullane, "Tannahill Weavers" ].
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by Kenny
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Yip, Kenny - I'm sure it was a Tannies gig where I heard it.
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Oh,my--Willie's reputation has headed southward since yesterday. Hmmm, not such a good role model for impressionable young minds. Oh, well--I'm going to teach it anyway, I like the tune. Maybe I should just use the underwear lyrics. (I hope my superintendent isn't a secret member of The Session.)
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by dmarie
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Ah Go on dmarie! I'm sure they'd love to hear that story - although, their parents might not be quite so impressed!
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
I've always wondered what "A cannily keekit ben" means.
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by Bob himself
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
"I've always wondered what "A cannily keekit ben" means."
I'd understand that to be:
I cautiously/carefully looked in.
# Posted on August 30th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
That's about what I've guessed, but just from the context.
# Posted on August 31st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
Well, in one of his own songs RB had a neighbor lady at his birth predict he'd "gar the lassies lie aspar" --- so I think the Tannies' speculation is not without merit!
# Posted on August 31st 2005 by sara g
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
I wonder how many people understood that? Of course he did "gar the lassies lie aspar" too, lots of times! Which reminds me of the first time I heard "The Steggie song" on Radio Scotland, sung by Rod Paterson - I was very surprised it was broadcast - the powers that be obviously didn't understand the lyrics (although the programme presenter did)!
# Posted on August 31st 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Rattlin' Roarin' Willie lyrics
James Hunter has a two part version of the tune in his collection.
# Posted on August 31st 2005 by dafydd