Although the piece may not itself be very old its origins seem quite distant, for the 'Plaidie awa' refrain appears in a broadside of 'The Elfin Knight' dated 1673 and the tune, usually called 'The White Cockade' in Scotland is very wide spread, indicating considerable age. The Piper's Plaid (or Full Plaid) is a traditional part of full dress military uniform, and can be either civilian or Regimental. It's typically worn with full regalia, flowing like a cape along with feather bonnet, cross belt, spats, and the rest. It has real flair.
Come under my Plaidie by Hector Macneil
[Written by Hector Macneil to the same tune as that of the above, namely, Johnnie M'Gill, and published in the sixth volume of Johnson's Museum.]
Come under my plaidie; the night's gaun to fa';
Come in frae the cauld blast, the drift, and the snaw:
Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me;
There's room in't, dear lassie, believe me, for twa.
Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me;
I'll hap ye frae every cauld blast that can blaw:
Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me;
There's room in't, dear lassie, believe me, for twa.
Gae 'wa wi' your plaidie! auld Donald, gae 'wa;
I fear na the cauld blast, the drift, nor the snaw!
Gae 'wa wi' your plaidie! I'll no sit beside ye;
Ye micht be my gutcher! auld Donald, gae 'wa.
I'm gaun to meet Johnnie—he's young and he's bonnie;
He's been at Meg's bridal, fu' trig and fu' braw!
Nane dances sae lichtly, sae gracefu', or tichtly,
His cheek's like the new rose, his brow's like the snaw!
Dear Marion, let that flee stick fast to the wa';
Your Jock's but a gowk, and has naething ava;
The haill o' his pack he has now on his back;
He's thretty, and I am but three score and twa.
Be frank now and kindly—I'll busk ye aye finely;
To kirk or to market there'll few gang sae braw;
A bein house to bide in, a chaise for to ride in,
And flunkies to 'tend ye as aft as ye ca'.
My father aye tauld me, my mother and a',
Ye'd mak' a gude husband, and keep me aye braw;
It's true, I lo'e Johnnie; he's young and he's bonnie;
But, wae's me! I ken he has naething ava!
I ha'e little tocher; ye've made a gude offer;
I'm now mair than twenty; my time is but sma'!
Sae gi'e me your plaidie; I'll creep in beside ye;
I thocht ye'd been aulder than three score and twa!
She crap in ayont him, beside the stane wa',
Whare Johnnie was listnin', and heard her tell a':
The day was appointed!—his proud heart it dunted,
And strack 'gainst his side, as if burstin' in twa.
He wander'd hame wearie, the nicht it was drearie,
And, thowless, he tint his gate 'mang the deep snaw:
The howlet was screaming, while Johnnie cried, Women
Wad marry auld Nick, if he'd keep them aye braw.
O, the deil's in the lasses! they gang now sae braw,
They'll lie down wi' auld men o' four score and twa;
The haill o' their marriage is gowd and a carriage;
Plain love is the cauldest blast now that can blaw.
Auld dotards, be wary! tak' tent wha you marry;
Young wives, wi' their coaches, they'll whip and they'll ca',
Till they meet wi' some Johnnie that's youthfu' and bonnie,
And they'll gi'e ye horns on ilk haffet to claw.
Plaidie was original formed 25 plus years ago to perform at Spruce Meadows Festival of Nations and over time matured from three individuals who sang together to become a tight trio which learned to arrange both traditional and contemporary Irish and Scottish songs to make them their own. The fact that Maureen hails from Newcastle, County Down in Northern Ireland and Jim and Maurice are from Glasgow in Scotland, this gives Plaidie an authenticity in presentation.
With Maurice on guitar and bodrahn, Jim on bodrhan and mandolin and Maureen on guitar, all three members are equally capable of singing lead vocal or harmony allowing them to explore a variety of songs and styles. Their singing comes from the heart and their natural blend of voices and harmonies evokes warmth and honesty. As Maureen says “Our voices are our instruments”.
Paideia
Pleiades Aliens
Related Links
Plaediere
- Club Performance: Concert – Folks Near The Bow