© ericdentinger.com
2008-2025
Eric Maclewis
The Nut Brown Maiden
(Traditional & John Stuart Blackie)
The Corries version
Hó-ró my nut-brown maiden
Hee ree my nut-brown maiden
Hó-ró-ró maiden
For she's the maid for me
(2x)
Her eye so brightly beaming
Her look so frank and free
In waking or in dreaming
Is evermore with me
Hó-ró my nut-brown maiden...
O Mary, mild-eyed Mary
By land or on the sea
Though time and tide may vary
My heart beats true to thee
Hó-ró my nut-brown maiden...
The Nut Brown Maiden is the original title, coming from the Gaelic song Hó-ró mo Nighean donn Bhoidhearch, translated into English by the Scottish poet John Stuart Blackie (19th century).
The air has been adapted for bagpipe to be played as a regimental march known as The Brown Haired Maiden.
The score begins by the chorus: it is based on the “Scots Guards” and on The Corries singing for this chorus.
The verses are quite different between the song and the bagpipe version: the instrumental part is rather a complement of the chorus than a real verse.
(And since from thee I parted
A long and weary while
I wander heavy hearted
While longing for thy smile
Hó-ró my nut-brown maiden...
Mine eyes that never vary
From pointing to the glen
Where blooms my Highland Mary
Like wild rose 'neath the ben
Hó-ró my nut-brown maiden...)
And when the blossom(s) laden
Bright summer comes again
Then I'll fetch my nut-brown maiden
Down from the bonnie glen
Hó-ró my nut-brown maiden
Hee ree my nut-brown maiden
Hó-ró-ró maiden
For she's the maid for me
(2x)
THE BROWN HAIRED MAIDEN
(The Nut Brown Maiden)
MARCH
- score by Eric Maclewis with CelticPipes