Bonnie Jeanie Deans
AKA | Jeanie Deans |
First Published | 1887? |
Writer/composer | Harry Linn | Roud | RN6129 |
Music Hall Performers | Harry LInn |
Folk performances | Source Singers Mrs Thom 1908 Scotland |
Far awa' frae Bonnie Scotland, I have often spent my time, By the mountains, lakes, and valleys, In some distant, foreign clime. There I'd sit and sometimes ponder, 'Midst their bright and varied scenes, But my thoughts would always wander To the hame o' Jeanie Deans. Here's to Auld Reekie, and its glorious Princess Street, Here's to Auld Reekie, and its famous Arthur's Seat, Here's to Auld Reekie, and its grand historic scenes, The hame o' Scotland's bravest lass, my bonnie Jeanie Deans. Oft I see her sad and dreary, Wi' tartan plaid and hame-spun gown; Broken-hearted, worn, and weary, Tramping on to London town. Leaving those behind who missed her Those who knew what true love means, Seeking pardon for her sister, Brave, true-hearted Jeanie Deans. Fancy oftimes brings before me Jeanie's simple, winsome style, As she told her sad, sad story, When she met the great Argyle. Hear her pleading in the garden, Asking mercy from her Queen; See her joy, she's got the pardon Brave, victorious Jeanie Deans. "Jeanie, woman," though departed, We will keep the honoured name, Of one so true and loyal hearted, Written on the scroll of fame. Sir Walter Scott immortalised you - "Thou wert one of nature's queens;" And in our hearts we'll ever prize you, Gallant, Scottish Jeanie Dean
Another song from the pen of Harry Linn, this one appears in handful of broadsides, and was remembered by one source singer in 1908. It tells the story of the heroine of one of Walter Scott’s novels, The Heart Of Midlothian. Linn was keen to alert his fellow professionals and the wider British public to his success with the song in Scotland and to establish his ownership of it – making these announcements in The Era in 1880:
“Modern Athens” was a proud nickname for Edinburgh..
I have not found a recording of it – yet!
Sources:
- Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3A6129
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics: Harry Linn’s Fire Side Song Book (1887)
- Ballad Index