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The Bonnie Wee Well

from Common Ground by Neil Thomson

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about

I put the music to this poem by Paisley weaver poet Hugh Macdonald
who celebrates a spring on the Gleniffer Braes which travellers would make good use of around the late 1700's when the poem was written. Hugh wrote many poems at this time about the beauty of nature in defiance at the increased industrialisation of the clyde valley.

lyrics

THE BONNIE WEE WELL

THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE
THAT SKINKLES SO COLD IN THE SWEET SMILE OF DAY
CROONS A LITTLE SONG JUST TO PLEASURE ITSELF
AS IT JINKS BENEATH THE BRACKEN AND THE GENTLY BLUE BELL
SEEMS TO ME YOUR JUST A BAIRNIE AT PLAY
THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE

THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE
WINS BLESSINGS AND BLESSINGS OF MONEY EACH DAY
FOR THE WAYWORN AND WEARIE OFTEN REST BY ITS SIDE
WHERE MAN, WIFE AND CHILD ARE SO RICHLY SUPPLIED
FOR IT SPRINGS FROM THE YIRD WITH A FLICKER OF GLEE
THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE

THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE
WHERE THE HARE STEALS A DRINK IN THE GLOAMIN SO GREY
WHERE WILD MOORLAND BIRDS DIP THEIR NEBS AND TAKE WING
AND THE LARK WETS HIS WHISTLE BEFORE STERTING TO SING
SEEMS TO ME YOUR JUST A BAIRNIE AT PLAY
THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE

THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE
YOUR MEMORY OFTEN HAUNTS ME BY NIGHT AND BY DAY
FOR THE FRIENDS I HAVE LOVED IN THE YEARS THAT ARE GONE
HAVE KNELT BY YOUR BRIM AND PARTAKEN SO LONG
I DRINK TO THE ONES WHO COME BACK NO MORE
THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE

THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE
MY BLESSING RESTS WITH YOU WHEREVER I STRAY
IN JOY AND IN SORROW IN SUNSHINE AND GLOOM
DREAMING OF YOUR BEAUTY YOUR FRESHNESS AND BLOOM
SEEMS TO ME YOUR JUST A CHILD AT PLAY
THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE

IN THE DEPTHS OF THE CITY AMID TURMOIL AND NOISE
I’LL HEAR WITH RAPTURE YOUR LONE TRICKLING VOICE
WHILE FANCY TAKES WING TO YOUR RICH FRINGE OF GREEN
TO QUAFF YOUR COOL WATER IN NOONS GOLDEN SHEEN
SEEMS TO ME YOUR JUST A BAIRNIE AT PLAY
THE BONNIE WEE WELL ON THE BREIST OF THE BRAE

credits

from Common Ground, released May 3, 2016

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about

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Neil Thomson Crieff, UK

Neil's writing is mainly but not solely inspired by his native Scotland. It's roots, people, tradition and natural environment
provide inspiration for creating music in his own relaxed, gentle style.

He enjoys setting his music to traditional poems sung in Old Scots and in particular the poetry of Gerry Cambridge. ... more

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