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The Queen of Argyll

[Andy M. Stewart]

Andy M. Stewart sang his own song The Queen of Argyll in 1983 on Silly Wizard’s album Kiss the Tears Away. This track was also included in 1987 on their Shanachie anthology The Best of Silly Wizard. A live recording from Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, in October 1983 was included in 1985 on their REL (UK) and Green Linnet (USA) album Live in America, in 1988 on their Green Linnet CD Live Wizardry, in 2012 on their CD ‘Live’ Again, and in 2002 on the World Music Network compilation, The Rough Guide to Scottish Folk

Ceolbeg sang Queen of Argyll, “from the pen of the talented singer-songwriter Andy M. Stewart”, on their 1990 album Not the Bunny Hop.

John Wright sang Queen of All Argyll in 1997 on the John Wright Band’s Fellside album Other Roads.

We were delightet to have on our last album [The Things We’ve Handed Down] the vocal talent of Kathy Stewart. Here we have chosen a song, The Queen of All Argyll, by her husband Andy.

Siobhan Miller sang Queen of Argyll on her 2022 CD Bloom.

Lyrics

Silly Wizard sing The Queen of Argyll

Gentlemen it is my duty to inform you of one beauty,
Though I’d ask of you a favour not to seek her for a while.
Though I own she is a creature of character and feature
No words can paint the picture of the Queen of all Argyll.

Chorus (after each verse):
And if you could have seen her there, boys, if you had just been there,
The swan was in her movements and the morning in her smile.
All the roses in the garden they bow and ask her pardon,
For not one could match the beauty of the Queen of all Argyll.

On the evening that I mentioned I passed with light intention
Through a part of our dear country known for beauty and for style.
In the place of noble thinkers of scholars and great drinkers,
But above them all for splendour shone the Queen of all Argyll.

So my lads, I needs must leave you, my intentions no’ to grieve you,
Nor indeed would I deceive you, oh I’ll see you in a while.
I must find some way to gain her, to court her and attain her,
I fear my heart’s in danger from the Queen of all Argyll.

Ceolbeg sing The Queen of Argyll

Gentlemen it is ma duty to inform you of one beauty,
I’d ask of you a favour no tae seek her for a while.
For I own she is a creature of character and feature
No words can paint the picture of the Queen of all Argyll.

Chorus (after each verse):
And if you could have seen her there, boys, if you had just been there,
The swan was in her movement and the morning in her smile.
All the roses in the garden they bow and ask her pardon,
Not one could match the beauty of the Queen of all Argyll.

On the night that I do mention I passed with light intention
Through a part of our dear country known for beauty and for style.
A race of noble thinkers, of scholars and great drinkers,
Far above them all for splendour shone the Queen of all Argyll.

Now my lads, I needs must leave you, my intentions nae to grieve you,
Nor indeed would I deceive you, oh I’ll see you in a while.
Dor I must find some way to gain herm to court her and attain her,
I fear my heart’s in danger from the Queen of all Argyll.