© ericdentinger.com
2008-2025
Eric Maclewis
Here is a tune with multiple and confusing origins:
The melody of Bonny Dundee - if it is the same tune as the one played today (?) - is an ancient tune of the Scottish repertoire, used for many songs.
There will therefore be several names attached to the same air and which come either from song titles or from other melodies that may have influenced the score in its current form.
One of the oldest available mentions dates back to around 1630, the air then appearing under the name of Adew, Dundee.
Walter Scott adapted a version (lyrics and music) in 1825 under the name of Bonnie Dundee: this poem was inspired by the historical character of John Graham (1648-1689), 1st Viscount of Dundee, hero of one of the Jacobite revolts, who died during the victorious battle of Killiecrankie (1689).
The lyrics presented here are taken from the repertoire of The Corries, in a shortened version of Scott's poem.
The melody presented by Scott was once again adapted by Charlotte Sainton-Dolby around 1850.
Several other adaptations - sometimes parodic - were then made (Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling among others) while the air was increasingly intended for military use.
Emblematic air of the Confederates during the Civil War (USA, 19th century), Bonny Dundee is also the march of several Scottish and Canadian regiments.
Despite these very varied contributions, the tune seems to have retained the romantic potential installed by W. Scott and remains quite identified, through the Jacobite rebellions, with Scottish patriotism, which it may not have been at the beginning of the 17th century or before...
NB: to the attention of pipers, it's an excellent example for practising the taorluath followed by a birl.
Bonnie Dundee
- The Corries version -
(Walter Scott)
To the Lords o’ Convention ’twas Claverhouse spoke
E’er the King’s crown go down there are crowns to be broke
So each cavalier who loves honour and me
Let him follow the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee
Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men
Unhook the West Port and let us gae free
For it’s up with the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee
Dundee he is mounted and rides up the streets
The bells they ring backward, the drums they are beat
But the Provost douce man says just let it be
For the toon is well rid o’ that devil Dundee
Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can...
There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth
Be there lords in the south, there are chiefs in the north
There are brave downie wassles three thousand times three
Cry hey for the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee
Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can...
And awa tae the hills, tae the lee and the rocks
Ere I own an usurper I’ll couch with the fox
So tremble false Whigs in the mid’st o’ yer glee
For ye’ve no seen the last o’ my bonnets and me
Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men
Unhook the West Port and let us gae free
For it’s up with the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee
BONNY DUNDEE
MARCH
- score by Eric Maclewis with CelticPipes