Bonny at morn (William Whittaker)

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• (Posted 2023-12-20)  CPDL #78382:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-20).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 546 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2014-12-14)  CPDL #33689:        (Sibelius 7)

Editor: Ian Haslam (submitted 2014-12-14).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 89 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Bonny at morn
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Arranger: William Whittaker
Lyricist:

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB, divisi
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1914 Stainer & Bell
Description:  Note by Whittaker: The song is addressed by a weary mother to her babe which, though winsome and “canny,” interferes sadly with the orderly working of the house. The elder son (to whom the phrases in brackets are spoken) is indolent, and the daughter is unwilling to learn. Everything is going wrong with the household matters, and outside the cow has strayed into the cornfield; the poor mother has a heavy burden which she pours forth in her lullaby.

Original text and translations

English text

The sheep's in the meadow, The kye's in the corn,
(Thou's ower lang in thy bed,) Bonny at morn.
Canny at night, Bonny at morn,
(Thou's ower lang in thy bed,) Bonny at morn.

The bird's in the nest, The trout's in the burn,
Thou hinders thy mother in many a turn,
Canny at night, Bonny at morn,
Thou hinders thy mother in many a turn,

We're all laid idle, Wi' keepin' the bairn,
The lad winnot work, And the lass winnot lairn.
Canny at night, Bonny at morn,
(Thou's ower lang in thy bed,) Bonny at morn.