Lyr Req: Gi'e Me a Lass wi' a Lump o' Land (Ramsey

Subject: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From:
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 10:51 AM

Any one know where I could find the lyrics to Give me a lass wit a lump o'land? I think the version I heard a few years ago on Thistle and Shamrock was performed by Ossian?

Thanks in advance - Larry

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From: Bruce O.
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 11:24 AM

The song is by Allan Ramsay and without music in 'The Tea Table Miscellany' (I), 1723/4. The tune seems to be first found in Joseph Mitchel's ballad opera 'The Highland Fair', 1731. Song and tune are in 'Orpheus Caledonius', II, 1733 (reprinted) and 'The Scots Musical Museum', #169 (reprinted). The song was not very popular. I've not found other copies of song or tune in 18th century Scots works. Maybe Murray S. can tell us more.

Subject: Lyr Add: GI'E ME A LASS WI' A LUMP O' LAND
From: Bo
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 09:08 PM

GI'E ME A LASS WI' A LUMP O' LAND
Composed by Allan Ramsay to the air of "The Lass wi' the Lump o' Land." It appeared in the second volume of the Tea Table Miscellany. Ross p.10

GI'E me a lass with a lump o' land,
And we for live shall gang thegither;
Tho' daft or wise, I'll ne'er demand,
Or black or fair, it maksna whether.
I'm aff wi' wit, and beauty will fade,
And blood alane 's nae worth a shilling;
But she that's rich, her market's made,
For ilka charm about her's killing.

Gi'e me a lass with a lump o' land,
And in my bosom I'll hug my treasure;
Gin I had ance her gear in my hand,
Should love turn dowf, it will find pleasure.
Laugh on wha likes; but there's my hand.
I hate with poortith, though bonnie, to meddle:
Unless they bring cash, or a lump o' land,
They'se ne'er get me to dance to their fiddle.

There's meikle gude love in bands and bags;
And siller and gowd's a sweet complexion
But beauty and wit are virtue, in rags,
Have tint the art of gaining affection.
Love tips his arrows and woods and parks,
And castles, and riggs, and muirs, and meadows;
And naething can catch our modern sparks,
But weel-tocher'd lasses, or jointer'd widows.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From: Bruce O.
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 09:44 PM

I see I misread my source. 2nd vol of TTM is correct.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From: Bo
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 11:03 AM

Na na na Bruce O! : ) : )

Bo

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From: Bruce O.
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 01:26 PM

Let me also correct the date. According to J. W. Ebsorth in vol. 8 of 'Roxburghe Ballads', lxxxvi***, volume 2 of TTM was published in 1725. Eqarly editions of TTM are rare. There are 2 known copies of the first edition of vol. I (both in the U.S.). One is dated 1723 and the other 1724. I thought I had dates for the original editions of the subsequent volumes, but can't find them. New songs were added to the 1740 edition of vol. 1.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 10:53 PM

Is this the Irish equal to "As I Roved Out" (loved the lass with the land)? Barry

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Give me a lass with a lump o'land
From:
Date: 19 Feb 98 - 12:48 PM

Thank you all for your generous replies. You've given me what I need. Now to figure out the dialect! :-)

Kind Regards

Larry