O waly, waly up the bank (Hugh S. Roberton)

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• (Posted 2023-12-04)  CPDL #77810:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-04).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 382 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: O waly, waly up the bank
Composer: Hugh S. Roberton
Lyricist: Anonymous
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Language: Lowland Scots
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1923 J. Curwen & Sons
Description: Scottish Folk Song

A Lowland Lament

Original text and translations

Lowland Scots text

O waly, waly, up the bank,
And waly, waly, doun the brae,
And waly, waly, yon burn-side,
Where I and my Love wont to gae!
I leant my back unto an aik,
I thocht it was a trustie tree;
But first it bow’d and syne it brak—
Sae my true love did lichtlie me.

O waly, waly, gin love be bonnie
A little time while it is new!
But when ’tis auld it waxeth cauld,
And fades awa’ like morning dew.
O wherefore should I busk my heid,
Or wherefore should I kame my hair?
For my true Love has me forsook,
And says he’ll never lo’e me mair.

17th Cent.