You Tube - Maggie Lauder

[kimuro]

This is NOT the dance - it's a traditional Scottish song and the dance named for it is MUCH more sedate and slow.

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chorus:
Upstair, doon the stair, I play my chanter rarely
And there you hug and kiss the girls I never want to marry (?)

Wha wadnae be in love with bonnie Maggie Lauder
A piper met her gaun tae Fife he asked what they called her
Right scornfully she answered him, Begone ye hallanshaker
Jog on your gate you blether skyte - my name is Maggie Lauder

chorus:

Meg, says he, And by my bags I'm fidgin' fain to see thee
Sit doon by me, my bonnie bird, in troth I wouldnae steer thee
For I'm a piper tae my trade, my name is Rab the Ranter
The lassies loup as they were daft when I blaw up my chanter

chorus:

Piper, says Meg, Ha'e ye your bags, is your drone in order
If you be Rab I've heard o' you, do you live on the border
The lasses a' baith far and near hae heard o' Rab the Ranter
I'll shake my foot wi' richt guidwill when you blaw up your chanter

chorus:

Then tae his bags he flew with speed, aboot the drone he twisted
Meg up an' walloped o'er the green, for brawly could she frisk it
Weel done, says he, Weel played, says she, Weel bobbed, says Rab the Ranter
It's worth my while tae play indeed when I hae sic a dancer

chorus:

Well hae you played your part, says Meg, Your cheeks they are like crimson
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel since we lost Habbie Simpson
I've lived in Fife baith maid and wife these ten years and a quarter
The next time you're in Anster Fair, just ask for Maggie Lauder

chorus:

hallanshaker - tramp; blether skyte - windbag, gossip; steer thee- interfere with you; fidgin' - excited; loup - dance, leap