The wee cooper o' Fife (Hugh S. Roberton)

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• (Posted 2023-12-04)  CPDL #77802:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-04).   Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 557 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2023-06-04)  CPDL #74037:         

Editor: Ian Haslam (submitted 2023-06-04).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 107 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: The wee cooper o' Fife
Composer: Hugh S. Roberton
Lyricist: Anonymous
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Language: Lowland Scots
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1917 J. Curwen & Sons Ltd
Description: Old Scots ballad

Original text and translations

Lowland Scots text

There was a wee cooper wha lived in Fife,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo.
And he had gotten a gentle wife.
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

She wad na bake, nor wad she brew,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo.
For spilin' o' her comely hue,
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

She wad na caird, nor wad she spin,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo.
For shamin' o' her gentle kin,
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

The cooper has gane to his woo' pack,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo.
And he's laid a sheepskin on his wife's back,
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

I'll no' be shamin' your gentle kin,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo, noo,
But I will skelp my ain sheepskin,
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

I will bake and I will brew,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo, noo,
And think nae mair o' my comely hue,
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

O I will wash and I will spin,
Nickety nackety, noo, noo, noo,
And think nae mair o' my gentle kin,
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.

Noo ye wha ha'e gotten a gentle wife,
Nickety, nackety, noo, noo.
Just mind ye o' the wee cooper o' Fife.
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal alane quo rushity, roue, roue.