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Bonnie Gallowa’

[ RoudBS B2934 ; words George B. Sproat]

Jean Redpath sang Bonny Gallowa’ in 1973 on her Folk-Legacy album Frae My Ain Countrie. She noted:

There’s a wealth of songs at home which tend to be included in Scottish Country Dance waltz selections and records of the “Tartan Treasures” variety so often that one ceases to listen to them. Yet, given an evening of singing, and maybe a drink or two, and it’s inevitable that these familiar tunes will creep in somewhere in the sentimental hours.

John Carruthers and Willie Johnstone played Bonnie Gallowa at the Kinross Festival in September 1975. This recording was released in 1976 on Springthyme’s festival anthology, Scots Songs and Music Live From the Kinross Festival 2.

Hector Gilchrist sang Bonnie Gallowa in 2018 on his WildGoose alnum Gleanings. He noted:

This was the favourite song of an old friend of mine Jimmy Crawley, one time Manager of Stranraer Creamery where I would visit on business. He declared no love for the modern music of the day convinced that he had “Heard mair music oot o’ the wheel o’ a dung barrow”. Those who like me, have experienced farm work may well understand.

Claire Hastings sang Bonnie Gallowa’ as a download single in March 2020. She noted:

My version of a traditional song about my home region.

Lyrics

Jean Redpath sings Bonnie Gallowa’

Wha but lo’es the bonny hills?
Wha but lo’es the shinin’ rills?
Aye for thee my bosom fills,
Bonny Gallowa’.

Land o’ darkly rollin’ Dee,
Land o’ silv’ry windin’ Cree,
Kissed by Solway’s foamy sea,
Bonny Gallowa’.

Wreaths o’ glory round thee weave,
Gory land o’ fearless threave.
Heroes’ deeds thy sons achieve,
Bonny Gallowa’.

Aince ye had a king, thine ain,
Wha thy laurels wouldnae stain,
Focht thy foes wi’ micht and main,
Bonny Gallowa’.

Wha ’mang Scotia’s chiefs can shine?
Heroes o’ the Douglas line,
Maxwells, Cordons—a’ are thine,
Bonny Gallowa’.

Land o’ birk and rowan tree,
Land o’ fell and forest free,
Land that’s aye sae dear tae me,
Bonny Gallowa’.

Claire Hastings sings Bonnie Gallowa’

Wha but lo’es the bonnie hills,
Wha but lo’es the shinin’ rills,
Aye for thee my bosom fills,
Bonnie Gallowa’.

Land o’ darkly rollin’ Dee,
Land o’ silvery windin’ Cree,
Kissed by Solway’s foamy sea,
Bonnie Gallowa’.

Wha ’mang Scotia’s chiefs can shine,
Heroes o’ the Douglas line,
Maxwells, Gordons, a’ are thine,
Bonnie Gallowa’.

Land o’ birk and rowan tree,
Land o’ fell and forest free,
Land that’s aye sae dear tae me,
Bonnie Gallowa’.

Land o’ birk and rowan tree,
Land o’ fell and forest free,
Land that’s aye sae dear tae me,
Bonnie Gallowa’.