Choral Singer

- The Jolly Beggars -

Resources for the article “A Scottish Cantata”

In composing “The Jolly Beggars,” Robert De Cormier began with the traditional Scottish folk tunes specified by poet Robert Burns himself.   The selection below is #4 “A Highland Lad My Love Was Born. ”     

#1    Old Soldier's Song (“I am the Son of Mars”) - tune:  Soldier's Joy (McGlashan's Scots Measures, 1781, p. 32).

#2    The Soldier's Doxy (“I Once was a Maid”) - tune:  Sodger Laddie (Orpheus Caledonius, 1733, #27).

#3  The Fool (“Sir Wisdom’s a Fool”) - tune:  Auld Sir Symon (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719, iii. p.143).

#4  Highland Widow's Song (“A Highland Lad My Love Was Born”) - tune:  O, an ye were dead, and Guidman (Cal. Pocket Companion, 1752, iv. p.24).

#5      Fiddler's Song (“Wistle Owre the Lave O’T”) - tune:  Whistle Owre the Lave O't (Bremner's Scots Reels, 1759, p. 56).

#6      Tinker's Song (“My Bonnie Lass I Work in Brass”) - tune:  Clout the Caudron (Scots Musical Museum, 1787, #23).

#7    Dainty Davie - tune:  Dainty Davie (McGibbons Scots Tunes, 1746, p. 32).

#8    Poet's Song (“I am a Bard of No Regard”) - tune:  For a' that an' a' that (Bremner's Scots Reels, 1759, p. 52).

#9    A Fig For Those By Laws Protected - tune:  Jolly Mortals, Fill Your Glasses (Ritson's English Songs, 1783).

“The Jolly Beggars” is scored for SATB Chorus, SATB Solo Quartet, SATB Solos and Chamber Orchestra (Flute/Piccolo, Oboe/English Horn, Clarinet, Bassoon, Percussion [Snare, Field and Bass Drums, Tambourine Slapstick, Orchestra Bells, Celeste, Finger Cymbals, Timpani, Wood Bloock Cabassa], Violin, Viola, Cello).

To listen to "A Highland Lad my Love was Born," a selection from "The Jolly Beggars," (duration: 3:34).  This selection is used with permission of the copyright holder.

For further information regarding the "Bobby Burns" CD, contact Robert DeCormier by telephone at +1.802.259.2327 or by email to: decormier@vermontel.net.