Henry's Songbook

    Singing, hey Donal', ho Donal'
    Dirrum a do a day

As I come o'er Strathmartin Mains
What do you think I seen
A braw young piper laddie
Come a-linking o'er the green

He played a reel and he played a jig
And he played a sweet strathspey
He roosed ma hairt till its beats kept time
Tae the tapping o' ma tae

Well I've nae gown tae offer ye
I hae but little gear
But we'll hae love and freedom
Gin you follow me, my dear

There's gowd on the broom o' the Sidlaw Hills
Honey ben the heather sweet
There's a speckled trout in the purlin' tarn
A velvet carpet neath oor feet

Syne he blew up his chanter
And sic a spring he plays
So I chose love and freedom
Tae wander a' the days

(as sung by Cilla Fisher & Artie Trezise)

[2000:] Mary Brooksbank was a jute mill worker from Dundee. She is said to have written this song to celebrate the free way of life of the Travelling People and itinerant workers in Scotland, who largely kept the Scots music and song traditions alive. We've bent the tune from reel to jig-time (thank you Davy) which allows us to weave in Banish Misfortune. The sentiment seemed just right. (Notes Malinky, 'Last Leaves')