Cairn-O-Mount

Cairn-O-Mount

On Springthyme SPRCD 1009
Mirk - Tak A Dram (Afore Ye Go)

Cairn-o-Mount was originally published in 1820 as a poem titled ‘Donald. a ballad’ by Alexander Balfour of Monikie near Forfar. The theme obviously appealed to traditional singers in the area and by 1847 Christie had come across a sung version from a farm servant in Buchan and Gavin Grels mentions two tunes in his Folk-Song of the North-East. The words here are to a new tune by Tony Cuffe. Cairn O Mounth/Cairn O Mount (Scottish Gaelic: Càrn Mhon) is a high mountain pass in Aberdeenshire. The place name is a survival of the ancient name for what are now the Grampian Mountains, earlier called "the Mounth" (Gaelic: "monadh"). Before the modern A90 road was constructed, the pass served as a major crossing points for those travelling over the Grampians to Deeside and into Northern Scotland. The ancient trackway is historically known as the Cairnamounth. The high granite tor of Clachnaben overlooks the road (now called the B974) through the pass.

1: As I gaed by yon Brig o Dye
And by yon hill o broom,
A lassie sang richt merrily
Just as the sun gaed doon.
“It’s Cairn-o-Mount is bleak and bare
And cauld is Clochnaben
And you will see the snaw lie there
Alang the simme’s end.”

2: I lighted aff my dapple grey
And walked by her side,
Sayin. “Lassie, I have lost my way
Amang yon moors sae wide;
Its war me o yer face sae fair,
Yer een sae bonnie blue,
The langest nicht I’d blythely share
Tae kiss yer cherry mou.”

3: “Oh lassle, wad ye gang wi me,
And leave yer cauldrich glen?
Wi aa ma kin ye’d bear the gree,
There’s wealth baith but and ben;
Wi silks and satins buskit braw
And ribbons tae yer hair
And maids tae answer when ye caa.
Hoo can ye wish for mair?”

4: “Oh Iassie ye maun think a wee,
My lands are far and wide.
I’ve gowd in banks and ships at sea,
So come and be my bride;
Ma faither left me lairdships twa.
A coach at my command.
I’d mak ye lady o them aa.
If ye’d gie me yer hand.”

5: “It’ s Caim-o-Mount is bleak and bare
Ye’re no a match for me;
My Donald he is aa my care
Ride on and let me be;
He mees me on yon hill sae green
His hert is leal and true,
If Donald heard my angry shout
He soon wad mak ye rue.”

6: “Oh lassie think, yer Donald’s poor,
Has neither horse nor coo,
A shepherd stragglin on yon moor
Is no a match for you.”
“Oh Cairn-o-Mount is bleak an bare
And cauld is Clochnaben;
I wad raither meet ma Donald there
Than be fair Scotland’s queen.”

7: “Oh lassie I am loathe tae tell,
Ye throw yer love awa;
Yer Donald brawly kens himsel
Last gloamin what I saw;
As I rade by you shieling door
I spied a heilan maid,
Yer Donald kissed her o’er and o’er
An rowed her in his plaid.”

8: “Though ye would swear wi solemn oath
What ye have told tae me,
I would not doubt my Donald’s word
But say ‘Fause loon. ye lee.’
It’s he’s taen aff his lowland gear,
Kaimed doon his yellow hair,
Sayin, “Lassie. ye’ve been true tae me
And soon we’ll pairt nae mair.”

9: “Nae mair I’m shepherd o you glen,
But laird ayont the Dee;
And since ye hae been true tae me,
l’ll aye prove true tae thee;
It’s Cairn-o-Mount is bleak and bare
And cauld is Clochnaben
And you will see the snaw lie there
Alang the simmer’s end.”

1 give, 2 cold, 3 have the honours,
4 dressed well, 5 while.

MIRK:
Ian Sinclair on fiddle, guitar, 12-string guitar & vocals, Margie Sinclair lead vocals, harmonium & autoharp, Ray Crompton on harmonium, mandola, guitar mandolin & voacals, Jim Sutherland on cittern, bass, mandolin & bodhran. Special guest Andy Corsie on electronic bagpipes.