Johnnie Gallacher

On Springthyme SPRCD 1043
Shepheard, Spiers & Watson: Over the High Hills

Tom Spiers: This song was collected from Jessie MacDonald of Macduff in 1966 by Peter Hall. Jessie was a traveller, born in the mid 1870s and learned most of her songs before 1900. Her version didn’t have the chorus – that’s an addition we made recently - it just happened when we were singing it at a practice - yes, we do sometimes practice! The song was obtained by Gavin Greig in 1908 from Sam Davidson, a farm servant, who had the text in his manuscript book of songs - with the location as Urie rather than Ugie. Versions have also been collected in England, Ireland and in Newfoundland with variation in names and places (Greig Duncan 1:80, Roud 920).

Tom (lead vocal and fiddle) with Pete (melodeon and vocal) and Arthur (whistle and vocal)

1: As I was a-walkin by Ugie one day,
I met Sergeant Kelly by chance on my way;
Says he, "Johnnie Gallacher, you’re a handsome young man,
Wid ye come doon tae Ugie wi me for a dram?

Wi me for a dram, wi me for a dram,

Wid ye come doon tae Ugie wi me for a dram?"

2: We sat in the ale hoose jist takin oor dram,
Fan he says, "Johnnie Gallacher, wid ye prove ye’re a man?
Wid ye list and tak the bounty and come awa wi me,
Far ower the ocean strange places tae see?
Strange places tae see, strange places tae see,
Far ower the ocean strange places tae see?"

3: He pit his hand in his pocket and the shillin he drew,
"Tak this my brave laddie and ye will never rue."
'Tis then I was listed and the bargain it was made,
The ribbons they were brocht and pit on my cockade.
Pit on my cockade, pit on my cockade,
The ribbons they were brocht and pit on my cockade.

4: Well a curse on that sergeant and his lyin tongue,
A curse on the day that I follaed the drum;
One nicht in the guard room and the next in the jile,
Wi nae topcoat nor blanket tae wrap mysel in.
Tae wrap mysel in, tae wrap mysel in,
Nae topcoat nor blanket tae wrap mysel in.

5: Bad luck tae my uncle farivver he be,
For he was the first man that his ruined me;
Gin he had been an honest man and learnt me a trade,
Then I never wid hae listed nor wore the cockade.
Nor wore the cockade, nor wore the cockade,
No I never wid hae listed nor wore the cockade.