We use Birnie Bouzle as the opening to a two-song medley. The second song, “When Will We Be Wed”, I learned from Mike Scott of the Waterboys. He told me that he learned it as a South African Song. People tend to forget that South Africa is a Celtic country.
Birnie Bouzle Traditional
“Waitin’ for a Ride”, Darby O’Gill, 1996
Am G (F# - Em)
Gin ye marry me, lassie, at the kirk o’ Birnie Bouzle
Am G (Em) Am
‘Till the day ye dee, lassie, ye will ne’er repent it
G (F# - Em)
And ye s’all wear when we are wed the kirtle and the hi’lan plaid
Am G (Em) Am
Sleep upon a feather bed, sae couthie and sae cantie
And ye sall gan sae braw, lassie, at the kirk o’ Birnie Bouzle
Little brouges and a’, lassie, vow, but ye’ll be cantie
And yer wee-bit tocher is but sma’, but hoddon-grey will wear for a’
I’ll save my sil’er tae mak’ ye braw and ye will ne’er repent it
Gin ye marry me, lassie, at the kirk o’ Birnie Bouzle
‘Till the day ye dee, lassie, ye will ne’er repent it
And ye’ll hae bonnie bairnes and a’, some lassies fair and laddies braw
Like their mither, yin and a’ and yer faither, he’s consented
Gin ye marry me, lassie, at the kirk o’ Birnie Bouzle
‘Till the day ye dee, lassie, ye will ne’er repent it