Robbie Burns "The Silver Tassie"

This little posting is my contribution to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, commemorating his birth on the 25th of January in 1759. Humourist, satirist, poet and humanist, may his message of hope, fellowship and compassion never be forgotten.

The track I've entitled, The Silver Tassie, has actually several names, depending on where you look. For example, The Fontana /Collins Edition, pub, 1983, of the Poems and Songs of Robert Burns, titles it "The Silver Tassie", to the tune of The Secret Kiss.

However, The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns, Edinburgh, Ed. John S. Roberts, William P. Nimmo pub.1866, calls it "My Bonny Mary," with a note to the effect that the 1st four lines are from an old ballad composed in 1636 by Alexander Lesly.

The following URL, http://www.robertburns.org/works/237.shtml, a wonderful Robbie Burns resource site, lists the title as "My Bonie Mary".

Linn records CKD 051, The Complete Songs of Robert Burns vol 2 of a 12 volume set, lists the song as The Silver Tassie, performed by Billy Ross. Pub 1996.

Yet Kenneth McKeller's album, "To Robert Burns, A Tribute," calls the song, "Gae bring to me a pint o' wine." Lismor Recordings, 1993.

I've also seen that same title for the poem itself in one compilation, which I cannot track down right now. Though no less moving than anything else Robert Burns compiled or wrote, this is one of his lesser known works. I shudder to think what kind of history something like "Auld lang syne" or "Ode to a Mouse" might have gone through. I've reproduced the poem as it appears in the song here. Hope you like it. Happy Birthday, Rabbie!

Gae bring to me a pint o' wine,
And fill it in a silver tassie;
That I may drink before I go,
A service to my bonie lassie.

The boat rocks at the pier o' Leith;
Fu' loud the wind blaws frae the Ferry;
The ship rides by the Berwick-law,
And I maun leave my bonie Mary.

Gae bring to me a pint o' wine,
And fill it in a silver tassie;
That I may drink before I go,
A service to my bonie lassie.

The trumpets sound, the banners fly,
The glittering spears are ranked ready:
The shouts o' war are heard afar,
The battle closes thick and bloody;
It's not the roar o' sea or shore,
Wad mak me langer wish to tarry!
Nor shouts o' war that's heard afar-
It's leaving thee, my bonie Mary!

Gae bring to me a pint o' wine,
And fill it in a silver tassie;
That I may drink before I go,
A service to my bonie lassie.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Robbie
• Burns
• Silver
• Tassie
• Folk
• Poetry

[dongle7898able]

wtf! is a silver tassie???

[Jasenspeed401]

@dongle7898able It's a goblet. Made of silver.

[myfanniejigglesaboot]

the greatest version i've ever heard! thanks a lot man!

[Jasenspeed401]

I know, isn't though! Glad you like it. This I think catches the true emotion and spirit of "Rabbie" and I never heard a version that matches it. Cheers.

[LazlosPlane]

You'd HAVE to shove a pint of wine down my throat to get me to go into battle.

But it is a great song and poem, and reminds one of a time when men were MEN, and were not ashamed or thought "gay" to raise their voices in song, or poem.

[Jasenspeed401]

Absolutely! For any man, or woman, today who is brave enough to put a uniform and stand between us and harm's way, all I can say is thank you for doing something I wouldn't have the courage to do. So yeah, I'll join you in that pint of wine and then maybe, just maybe I might make it onto the battlefield... or need carried out on a stretcher. ;-)

[monkeyboy648]

Only we Scots drink wine by the pint!

[MStanleyRoss]

This song is proof positive that modern politicians are idiots. They talk about minimum pricing for alcohol, oor drink problems, and here we were two hundred and odd years ago, wine by the pint. As is, as ever shall be!

[theneil100]

Is that Kenneth Mckellar?i,m sorry,great song,by the great bard,but kenneth murders burns.

[LazlosPlane]

@dongle7898able you couldn't figure that out? Jeez.

[HRHStewartIIRegina]

god ive seen this millions of times but i forgot last night, i finally remember it!! :) im very happy.

[Sshelly34213]

@LazlosPlane There's nothing wrong with being gay, you're born that way. I think it's stupid how men think they have to "act tough" instead of just being themselves.