Played this song to accompany pictures from my Dad's life at his funeral today. He was a born-and-bred and proud Dundonian and had lived a long life. Despite Covid restrictions we gave him a fitting send-off.
Bonnie Dundee was probably the first Scots song that I heard and learned. It started a lifetime love affair between myself and Scottish and Irish songs and ballads. This version by the Corries is the best I've heard. - bandz
Agree - saw them live many times in the 60s and 70. At one time Ronnie owned a farm up Roberton way and banked at the TSB in Hawick. I met him coming out one day and he smiled at me.
Well, I was born at Bridge of Allan, and ended up in Dundee abaut 68. Lots of lovely memories, my ex Tommy played and sang this song, when there was a get to gether, I was so proud of him. 🥰
"Bonnie Dundee" to some, "Bloody Clavers" to others for his role in persecuting Cameronians. One of the more divisive figures in Scottish history, in terms of interpretation and partisanship. One Scottish anthology I once owned had the text of this song, as well as a description of his summary execution of a Covenanter named John Brown of Priesthill.
I visited Killiecrankie the other day, and had this song playing on my mp3 . I used to live near Claypots Castle, the home of Claverhouse. The weather in Dundee has been almost tropical this week. Bonnie Dundee indeed. Love The Corries.
I just returned from my first trip back to Scotland in 7 years last night, and the Corries make me feel like I’m still there… the Scots have such a passion for musical participation that you just don’t see as broadly in America. They have a genuine love for the words and melodies of their homeland, and as a lifelong music teacher it fills my heart to overflowing.
John Graham of Claverhouse was Viscount Dundee. He owned Dudhope Castle (still intact,but now a business centre!) He fought for King James V11 and the House of Stuart at Killiekrankie where he was mortally wounded in 1689. He is interred in the vault of Old Blair church.
For a long time the spirit of independence in Scotland has been kept alive by it's music! Corries, Dick Gaughan, Alistair MacDonald, Proclaimers, many more!
Tova H I was so blessed to grow up in such a musical family. Mom played piano (could've been a concert pianist), dad played recorder, sister on flute, piccolo, and piano, and I was a cellist. My dad sang me old Scottish songs and my mom played musicians like Helen Reddy, Simon and Garfunkel, and John Denver (along with all the classical music she could squeeze into my developing brain: Chopin, Mozart, Schumann, Beethoven and Hayden-that she'd play on piano 🎹). And my sister introduced me to (now) classic rock on 45s and 8 tracks. Thanks Sarah ❤ and thanks to my wonderful parents. 🌠
LinnTractorNut dont forget the one of the greatest bands ever were founded by two scottish brothers, AC/DC. And, they’re lead singer was from Kirriemuir
It definitely lifts the spirit to hear Scottish folk tunes..Keep in mind these were sung for hundreds of years, as long as there was an English language, and surely before that, in Celtic languages. They def were in their own world, but had such an impact outside that when they had a mind to.
To whom it may concern the word "dooniewassal" is from the Gaelic "duine uasal", which should be pronounced roughly dooniewassal and means "gentleman".
Murdoch McLennan - In modern Scottish Gaelic it simply means "nobleman" of any sort from any country. It's a generic term literally meaning "noble man" - uasal = noble, duine = man.
The tune bonnie dundee belongs to the city of dundee it was bought by the town in 1940 the money was raised by donations sir walter Scott's words written just before breakfast in 1825 in the cavilear style it cost over £125. A lot of money in 1940 great tune and words
The poem cost at auction £132. THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRILLIANT ACCUSITION THANKS TO THE PEOPLE OH DUNDEE IN 1940, PROBABLY NEAR 60,000 POUNDS IN TODAYS MONEY1928 IT COST £300 TO BUILD 2 STORY HOUSE ,BESIDE KINGS TECK ,IE, BRUCE ROAD LOL 😆
saw the Corries back in the 70's several times in Edinburgh - was surprised to find out that I actually lived not far from where Roy lived out his last years in Forres.
Now that is fascinating! I have been singing this song forever, and always assumed that "douce" meant "Sweet," also used ironically or sarcastically. Nice to know the really exact meaning!
Thanks so much, Tim! Good to know all this. My husband and I laughed so when we learned this song--the idea of being so rebelious that the authorities say, "Let the old fool go--the town is better off without him."--simply thrilled us. It's our theme song now. Thank you from Elena
Lyrics: Tae the Lords o' convention 'twas Claverhouse spoke E'er the King's Crown go down there are crowns to be broke So each caviler who loves honour and me Let him follow the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee Chorus: Come fill up my cup, come fill up can Come saddle my horses and call out my men Unhook the West Port and let us gae free For it's up with the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee Dundee he is mounted and rides up the street The bells tae ring backwards, the drums tae are beat But the provost douce man says, 'Just let it be.' When the toon is well rid o' that devil Dundee Chorus There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth Be there lords in the south, there are chiefs in the north There are brave downie wassles three thousand times three Cry hey for the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee Chorus Then awa tae the hill to the lee and the rocks Ere I own a usurper I'll crouch with the fox So tremble false wigs in the midst of yer glee For you've no seen the last of my bonnets and me Chorus
Robin McKenzie, The drums were muffled with bits of cloth, As in pleat, The bells they ran backwards. Bells are wrung in Peels, And for a warning, They reverse the peel, The last bell first, And so on - Ding, Dang, Dong. Warning, Dong, Dang, Ding, There are Lords in the South, But Chiefs in the North, So its Off with your bonnets for Bonney Dun-Dee. Good job, R. M.
Jordan .Harris same here, Im a proud Dundonian. Also i am a piper, and playing Bonnie Dundee on the pipes has a great feel to it knowing I am from the land of Bonnie Dundee
He was the low lander the government troops leader was the highlander he was also exposed to the king first the changed an not all jacobite were catholic most were Presbyterian
@@leannecochrane8859 Most jacobites in 1745 were followers of the episcopal church but that was the army of Prince Charles Edward Stewart many years after this period at Killicrankie. Dundees army came predominantly from the Highlands and they were beyond much doubt largley Catholic at that time. However like so many who misunderstand Jacobite history it was Not all about what particular church you used to practice religion. The rightous thing was John Graham's motivation at Killicrankie and that meant defending the rightful King. Those men who fought at Killicrankie with him were beyond doubt motivated by this reason and his pursaisuion . Many in The Highlands had long been very loyal to the Royal House of Stewart.
There's a tune called "Riding a Raid" about the Confederate General Stuart that's taken directly from this, both music and lyrics. Lucky for so many people in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, there weren't any copyrights back then.
for wee ting i was proud to have been your mate i remeber drinking cider and singing this in your flat before he moved to maryhill RIP sadly missed here,s to you claverhouse
'Tis old Stonewall the rebel that leans on his sword And while we we are mounting prays low to the Lord Now each cavalier that loves honor and right Let him follow the feather of Stuart tonight Come tighten your girth and slacken your reigns Come buckle your blanket and holster again Try the click of the trigger and balance your blade For he must ride sure that goes riding a raid … ;-)
I'm not sure that Sir Walter Scott's text does blacken his name. It basically portrays him as a loyal officer who was willing to fight to the end for his King.
iain, thank you for all the corries videos you have posted. I love them all and not got anything in the house to watch on them, only audio so this is great, thanks
Great song! All their music is beautiful ... thanks so much for posting :-) But I feel obligated to set the record straight here... John Graham of Claverhouse ("Ian Dubh Nan Cath" to the highlanders) did not persecute anyone! He was a just commander and loyal to James II. The name "Bloody Clavers" was given to him posthumously by his enemies. It was inexcusable of Sir Walter Scott to further blacken his name without verifying his sources. I recommend the book "Claverhouse" by Gordon Daviot.
as Bluidy (ie Bloody) Clavers in southern Scotland because of his prominent roll in the persecution of Presbyterians in the so called Killing Times. In short once his master was dethroned he was probably a marked man. Both the deposed James and the new monarchs William and Mary were monarchs of seperate Scottish and English kingdoms.
@noblefailure Sensible post. You are absolutely right. These songs were actually written as entertainment. This one was written by Sir Walter Scott and although it commemorates an early Jacobite figure the writer was a staunch supported of the British Hanovarian monarchy. It was just entertainment then and is so now too
This song doesn't describe him as a devil. It features the _provost of Dundee_ (who was pro-William/anti-James, so an enemy of his) describing Claverhouse as a 'devil'. In contrast, the song ("narrator's voice" if you like) describes the provost as 'douce-man', the most polite translation of which is 'coward'.
The conventon was in Edinburgh, so the provost of Edinburgh _notDundee_ as others have said the Bonnie Dundee referred to in the song isn't the Town but the 1st Viscount Dundee (Bluidy Clavers on the other side)
@thomassmith1313 The 45 rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie happened about 50 years after Dundee died at Killiecrankie! Killiecrankie was fought about who should sit on the Scottish throne.
@CosmosLoyal Same thing applies to the fawning over of Winston Churchill prime minister during World War 2 who was chased and booed out of Dùn Dèagh (Dundee). He had eggs thrown at him also. This occured if memory serves right before world war one.
@3tangle3 yes dundee is fighting william of orange ,but dundee is fighting a unionist cause.the union of scotland and england under bonnie prince charlie.
