"ye banks and braes" by Rabbie Burns . Arr, for guitar by Ian Thomson (1941-2015)

"Ye Banks and Braes" ; by Rabbie Burns
Arranged for guitar by Ian Thomson (1941-2015)

Some playing hints.
This is a very sad song of abandoned love. Remember that when playing!

The piece can be played quite effectively essentially as indicated, mostly in the lower positions. However the interpretation used by Matthew McAlistair is highly recommended, as it reflects the poignancy of the piece. Matthew’s interpretation uses higher positions for greater tone and interpretation. It is not too much more difficult than playing in the lower positions and definitely well worth the effort. It is definitely the playing to aspire to!

Either search for “Ye Banks and Braes” and “Matthew McAlistair” , or @galleryofguitar
Or use the link below
   • Ye Banks and Braes by Robert Burns. M...  

The song was written by Rabbie Burns in 1791. Burns set the lyrics to an air called “The Caledonian Hunt's Delight”. He apparently published three versions. But I have given what I think is the most common one below. It is quite short only two verses, and Burns writes it as the thoughts expressed by Margaret (Peggy) Kennedy (1766 — 95) while walking the banks of the river Doon, while grieving for her lost love, essentially husband, but never married.
Ye Banks and Braes
Ye banks and braes o' bonie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair;
How can ye chant, ye little birds,
And I sae weary, fu' o' care!
Thou'll break my heart, thou warbling bird,
That wantons thro' the flowering thorn:
Thou minds me o' departed joys,
Departed never to return.

Aft hae I rov'd by Bonie Doon,
To see the rose and woodbine twine:
And ilka bird sang o' its Luve,
And fondly sae did I o' mine;.
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose,
Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree!
And may fause Luver stole my rose,
But ah! He left the thorn wi' me.

Some Historical Notes
The story starts a lot earlier, with another Rabbie Burn’s song about Peggy when she was younger, about 18yrs. This was a celebration of Peggy’s beauty and charisma. Peggie was the younger sister of Mrs Gavin Hamilton, at whose house Burns met her in 1785. Burns was much impressed by her beauty and wit and wrote the song, 'Young Peggy' in her honour (see end of this entry) enclosing it in a letter to her (the tune is “Loch Eroch-side”).

Peggie was the daughter of the factor to the Earl of Cassilis, Robert Kennedy. Possibly through this connection?, Peggie was being courted at the time by Capt. (later Col.) Andrew Mc'Douall of Logan, Wigtonshire.
Andrew McDouall was the son of a wealthy family, and he and Maggie set up home together but never married; presumably because of his much higher ‘status’ .

He was also very likely away for long periods, being a Captain in the army, and later becoming Colonel. In addition, he later became the Member of Parliament for Wigtonshire. Then Peggy had a baby girl, and was pressing Andrew to get married. Presumably this situation might well have worked against his increasing status in the army and politics. So he effectively abandoned Peggy and her baby.

So, the words of “Ye Banks and Braes” are the desperately sad reflections of Peggy walking the banks where she had walked with Andrew. Clearly word of Peggy’s situation had spread to Burns, who wrote this song in reflection of her desperate plight. It’s such a clear reflection of the despair Peggy must have felt. It makes a difficult read.

There is an after-story. Interestingly for the times, Peggy later sued Andrew for a declaration of marriage. Unfortunately, she died before the adjudication, which actually found the marriage claim valid. This was later overturned by a Court of Session, but they found Andrew to be the father of Peggy’s daughter, and ordered him to pay £3000 to provide for the girl, quite a substantial sum for the time. So there was some victory for Peggy, even though she never lived to see it. The monies seemed to have been a huge help for Peggy’s daughter who had a good life, marrying in Paris, and later they moved to Edinburgh where her husband was a teacher.

Young Peggy
(the first song that Burns wrote having met young Peggy at her sister’s house, in 1785 ; given as a context to the song “Ye Banks and Braes”). First two verses only given.
Young Peggy blooms our boniest lass,
Her blush is like the morning,
The rosy dawn, the springing grass,
With early gems adorning.
Her eyes outshine the radiant beams
That gild the passing shower,
And glitter o'er the crystal streams,
And cheer each fresh'ning flower.

Her lips, more than the cherries bright,
A richer dye has graced them;
They charm th' admiring gazer's sight,
And sweetly tempt to taste them;
Her smile is as the evening mild,
When feather'd pairs are courting,
And little lambkins wanton wild,
In playful bands disporting.