A delightful but somewhat obscure anglicized version of a
Scottish traditional ballad that has defied most of my
attempts to find out more about its origins. Some sources
place it as being from southwestern Scotland in the region
of Wigtownshire, and as a song about a Scottish girl
lamenting her betrayal by the Irish boy that she loved,
who managed to pass himself off as Scottish due to the
similarity of the languages of Scots and 'Galoway Irish'.
lyrics
In yonder wood there is a bird
They say he's wild as he can be
Oh, how I wish that bird was me
Since my true love has left me
CHORUS
And oh, what a foolish young girl was I
Who fell in love with an Irish boy
An Irish boy he may well be
But he spoke Braid Scots when he courted me
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I wish I were a maid again
But a maid again, I ne'er shall be
Till an apple grows on a rowen tree
(Chorus)
The song of birds may glad the world
Yet bring to mind a sorrow key
For he is gone, now I must bide
Would I had love instead of pride
(Chorus)
credits
from Fields of the North,
released February 1, 2003
Vocals - Stacy Hilton
Backup Vocals - Michael Kelly, Dan Lindenberger
Guitar - Michael Kelly
Cello - Christina Zaenker
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