Key signature: Dmajor
Submitted on March 11th 2007 by Falkbeer.
This tune has been added to 5 tunebooks.
Also known as The Lad O' Kyle March, The Lad O' Kyle, O Gin Ye Were Dead, Gudeman, Rantin' Rovin' Robin, Ranting Roving Robin, Ranting, Roving Robin, There Was A Lad, There Was A Lad Was Born In Kyle.
Recordings of a tune by this name:
X: 1
T: There Was A Lad Born In Kyle
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Dmaj
A | "D"DD AD/E/ "A7"FE EF/E/ | "D"DD AD/E/ FdA2|
"G"B/c/d/A/ "D"F/G/A/F/ "Em"B/A/G/F/ "A7"EF/E/ | "D"Dd "A7"A/B/A/G/ "D"F2D>A |
dd d/e/f/d/ "Em"e/d/e/f/ "A7"ed/B/ | "D"Ad d/e/f/e/ dA BA |
"G"B/c/d/A/ "D"F/G/A/F/ "Em"B/A/G/F/ "A7"EF/E/ | "D"Dd "A7"A/B/A/G/ "D"F2D |]
There was a lad borne in Kyle
I think this is a great tune, and I play it myself a lot on the tin whistle. I´ve transcribed it from the 1965 LP "I love Scotland" with Rob Gordon. This transcription is very close to Gordons own playing. He plays There was a lad borne in Kyle in a session with two other tunes. (He calles the whole session General Stuart´s reel)
"General Stuart´s reel"
1. The Stuart´s rant
2. There was a lad born in Kyle
3. Duncan gray
(4. The Stuart´s rant - da capo ad lib)
This is a scottish reel, which is generally not played as fast as the traditional irish reel.
# Posted on March 11th 2007 by Falkbeer
This is also played as a march...
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by ceolachan
"There was a Lad was Born in Kyle"
M: 4/4
R: march
K: D Major
A2 |
D2 D2 AB/A/ D>E | F3 E E2 FE | D2 D2 A2 D>E | F2 d2 A3 A |
B>GdA FGAF | BAGF EF/E/ GF/E/ | D2 d2 A>BAG | F2 E2 D2 ||
A>F |
d3 A d>efd | e2 d/e/f e2 dB | ABde de g/f/e | d2 A2 F3 A |
B>GdA F2 A/G/F | BAGF E2 G/F/E | D2 d2 A>BAG | F3 E D2 |]
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by ceolachan
Here are the words.
Robert Burns, 1785
There was a lad was born in Kyle,
But whatna day o'whatna style,
I doubt it's hardly worth the while
To be sae nice wi' Robin.
Chorus
Robin was a rovin' Boy,
Rantin', rovin', rantin', rovin';
Robin was a rovin' Boy,
Rantin', rovin', Robin!
2. Our monarch's hindmost year but ane
Was five-and-twenty days begun,
'Twas then a blast o'Janwar'Win'
Blew hansel in on Robin.
Chorus
3. The Gossip keekit in his loof,
Quo'scho wha lives will see the proof,
This waly boy will be nae coof,
I think we'll ca'him Robin.
Chorus
4. He'll hae misfortunes great and sma',
But ay a heart aboon them a';
He'll be a credit till us a',
We'll a'be proud o'Robin.
Chorus
5. But sure as three times three mak nine,
I see by ilka score and line,
This chap will dearly like our kin',
So leeze me on thee, Robin.
Chorus
6. "Guid faith," quo'scho, "I doubt you Stir,
Ye gar the lasses lie aspar;
But twenty fauts ye may hae waur-
So blessins on thee, Robin."
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by dafydd
There Was a Lad Was Born in Kyle
The original tune was called "O Gin Ye Were Dead, Gudeman", although it consisted of only the half the tune we have now. The second half is a variation found in James Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion, of which Robert Burns had a cherished copy, and from which he used several tunes for his songs.
There is also a belief - reported by G Farquhar Graham in Popular Songs & Melodies of Scotland (1893) - that the tune was used during the Reformation in Scotland as a spiritual hymn, suggesting that it's at least mid-16th century.
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by nigelg
Thanks Nigel, always added value, or on the whole anyway...
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by ceolachan