The Trooper and the Maid - Scottish Song feat. Rosie Amrit

Vocals by Rosie Amrit, whistles by Fraser Fifield, fiddle by Michael Burnyeat, guitar and accordion by Farya Faraji. This is a folk song whose lyrical motifs and themes are believed to date back at least to the 17th century, with a shared corpus along the Northern England/Southern Scotland border, most versions like this one being of Scottish origin. The trope of the soldier that sleeps with a maiden for a night, then leaves, is a well established trope within the folk ecosystem of the region, and is often referred to as the Seduction Ballad. Scots Lyrics: A trooper lad cam’ here last nicht, Wi’ ridin’ he was weary; A trooper lad cam’ here last nicht, When the moon shone bricht and clearly. Bonnie lassie, I’ll lie near ye noo, Bonnie lassie, I’ll lie near ye; An’ I’ll gar a’ yer ribbons reel Or the morning ere I leave ye. She’s ta’en his heich horse by the heid, An’ she’s led him tae the stable; She’s gi’en him corn an’ hay till ate, As muckle as he was able. She’s ta’en the trooper by the han’, An’ she’s led him tae her chamber; She’s gi’en him breid an’ wine tae drink, An’ the wine it was like amber. She’s made her bed baith lang an’ wide, An’ she’s made it like a lady; She’s ta’en her coatie ower her heid, Says, “Trooper, are ye ready?” He’s ta’en aff his big top coat, Likewise his hat an’ feather; He’s ta’en his broadsword fae his side, An’ noo he’s doon aside her. They hadna’ been but an oor in bed, An oor an’ half a quarter, When the drums cam’ beatin’ up the toon, An’ ilka beat was faster. “It’s up, up,” oor curnel cries, “It’s up, up an’ awa’ then!” “It’s up, up,” oor curnel cries, “For the morn it is oor battle day!” She’s ta’en her cloakie ower her heid, An’ she’s followed him doon tae Stirlin’; She’s grown sae fu’ an’ she couldna boo, An’ they left her in Dunfermline. “Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye noo, Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye; An’ oh, but it does grieve me sair That ever I lay sae near ye.” “It’s when will ye come back again, My ain dear trooper laddie? When will ye come back again An’ be your bairnie’s daddy?” “O haud your tongue, my bonnie lass, Ne’er let this partin’ grieve ye; When heather cowes grow ousen bows, Bonnie lass, I’ll come an’ see ye.” Cheese an’ breid for carles an’ dames, Corn an’ hay for horses; Cups o’ tea for auld maids, Bonnie lads for bonnie lassies. English translation: A trooper lad came here last night, With riding he was weary; A trooper lad came here last night, When the moon shone bright and clearly. Bonnie lassie, I’ll lie near you now, Bonnie lassie, I’ll lie near you; And I’ll make all your ribbons fly Before the morning when I leave you. She’s taken his tall horse by the head, And she’s led him to the stable; She’s given him corn and hay to eat, As much as he was able. She’s taken the trooper by the hand, And she’s led him to her chamber; She’s given him bread and wine to drink, And the wine was like amber. She’s made her bed both long and wide, And she’s made it like a lady; She’s taken her nightgown over her head, Says, “Trooper, are you ready?” He’s taken off his big topcoat, Likewise his hat and feather; He’s taken his broadsword from his side, And now he’s down beside her. They hadn’t been but an hour in bed, An hour and half a quarter, When the drums came beating through the town, And every beat was faster. “It’s up, up,” our colonel cries, “It’s up, up and away, then!” “It’s up, up,” our colonel cries, “For in the morning it is our battle day!” She’s taken her cloak over her head, And she’s followed him down to Stirling; She’s grown so full [pregnant] that she couldn’t bend, And they left her in Dunfermline. “Bonnie lassie, I must leave you now, Bonnie lassie, I must leave you; And oh, but it grieves me sorely That ever I lay so near you.” “When will you come back again, My own dear trooper laddie? When will you come back again And be your little child’s daddy?” “Oh, hold your tongue, my bonnie lass, Never let this parting grieve you; When heather cows grow oxen’s horns, Bonnie lass, I’ll come and see you.” Cheese and bread for men and women, Corn and hay for horses; Cups of tea for old maids, Bonnie lads for bonnie lassies.