Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 2

Ancient Songs, Ballads, & Dance Tunes, Sheet Music & Lyrics - online book

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536                                   ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.
THE NORTHUMBERLAND BAGPIPES. In the Roxburghe Collection, ii. 363, and Bagford, 643, m. 10, p. 159, is the ballad of " The merry Bagpipes : the pleasant pastime betwixt a jolly shepherd and a country damsel on a Midsummer's day in the morning. To the tune of March, boys, &c." Licensed according to order, and printed by 0. Bates, next door to the Crown Tavern in West Smithfield. I have not found the song of " March, boys;" but this ballad is printed, with the tune, in Pills to purge Me­lancholy, ii. 136, 1700, under the title of The Northumberland Bagpipes. It is here arranged with the bagpipe drone.
And whilst this harmony he did make, A country damsel from the town,
A basket on her arm she had, A gathering rushes on the down :
Her bongrace was of wended straw, From the sun's beams her face to free,
And thus she began, when she him saw, If thou wilt pipe, lad, I'll dance to thee, &c.
WHEN BUSY FAME. Busy Fame was a popular tune at the end of the reign of Charles II., and continued in favour for at least half a century. Several ballads that wTere to be sung to it, have already been mentioned; the following are in the Halliwell Collection:—