The Fair o Balnafinnan

Tom Spiers: I learned this from a recording of Jeannie Robertson made by Peter Hall in the 1960s. It was a poor recording so I adapted some of the words which I couldn’t make out. Subsequently I discovered that the line that I had converted into ‘She was the flooer o the evening’ was sung by Jeannie as ‘She was fair as the Annan’ - but by then I had taken a liking to my way of it.

A song composed by Hugh McWilliams, a County Antrim schoolmaster, and published by him in 1831 under the title The Lass among the Heather seems to have given rise to this song known in Ireland and Scotland under various similar titles and in the Greig-Duncan collection as The Fair of Balnaminna. The song was clearly inspired by the Paisley poet Robert Tannahill’s The Braes o Balquhidder and the two songs are often found mixed together. The McPeake’s famous Will ye go Lassie Go must also derive from the Tannahill song. The folk process at work! (GD 4:873; Roud 2894)

Tom (vocal and fiddle) with Arthur (whistle)

1: I wis comin fae the fair, fae the fair o Balnafinnan,
Fan I spied a bonnie lass, she wis the flooer o the evenin;
I’ve asked her far she dwelt, as we strolled along thegither,
“On thon bonnie mountain side,” she’s replied, “among the heather.”

2: I will build my love a bower, by thon clear crystal fountain,
And cover it aa ower, wi the flooers o the mountain;
I’ll range the mountain side, though it be sae dreich and dreary,
And bring hame aa my spoils tae the bower o my dearie.

3: I wis comin fae the fair, fae the fair o Balnafinnan,
Fan I spied a bonnie lass, she wis the flooer o the evenin;
I’ve asked her far she dwelt, as we strolled along thegither,
“On thon bonnie mountain side,” she’s replied, “among the heather.”

c p 2006 Springthyme Records • Springthyme Music