A traditional song from my hometown on the west coast of Scotland.nnCommentarynThe ballad was published by the Poet's Box, 224 Overgate, Dun...
A traditional song from my hometown on the west coast of Scotland.nnCommentarynThe ballad was published by the Poet's Box, 224 Overgate, Dundee. The reference to a railway line into Glasgow dates this ballad to 1831 at the earliest.nThis ballad is based around a common subject in Scottish writing in the eighteenth and especially nineteenth centuries, the idea that cities were dangerous and immoral places compared to the countryside. This theme was used, often humorously, by the famous Ayrshire writers Robert Burns and John Galt. The 'Kilmarnock Bonnet' of the title is a famous piece of headgear, dating back at least to 1647, when the 'Kilmarnock Corporation of Bonnet Makers' was founded.nThe Dundee Poets? Box was in operation from about 1880 to 1945, though it is possible that some material was printed as early as the 1850s. Most of the time it had premises at various addresses in Overgate. In 1885 the proprietor J.G. Scott (at 182 Overgate) had published a catalogue of 2,000 titles consisting of included humorous recitations, dialogues, temperance songs, medleys, parodies, love songs, Jacobite songs. Another proprietor in the 1880s was William Shepherd, but little is known about him. Poets? Box was particularly busy on market days and feeing days when country folk were in town in large numbers. Macartney specialised in local songs and bothy ballads. Many Irish songs were published by the Poets? Box ? many Irishmen worked seasonally harvesting potatoes and also in the jute mills. In 1906 John Lowden Macartney took over as proprietor of the Poet?s Box, initially working from 181 Overgate and later from no.203 and 207.nnIt is not clear what the connection between the different Poet?s Boxes were. They almost certainly sold each other?s sheets. It is known that John Sanderson in Edinburgh often wrote to the Leitches in Glasgow for songs and that later his brother Charles obtained copies of songs from the Dundee Poet?s Box. There was also a Poet?s Box in Belfast from 1846 to 1856 at the address of the printer James Moore, and one at Paisley in the early 1850s, owned by William Anderson.nnEarly ballads were dramatic or humorous narrative songs derived from folk culture that predated printing. Originally perpetuated by word of mouth, many ballads survive because they were recorded on broadsides. Musical notation was rarely printed, as tunes were usually established favourites. The term 'ballad' eventually applied more broadly to any kind of topical or popular verse.nnWi' ma big Kilmarnock BonnetnnResolved that I would lea' the ploonI said tae farmer BrownnThe Money that I've worked for be kind as put it downnIn Glesca toon at half past three this very day I mean to benI'm ower long a gawkie in the country.nnCHORUSnWi' ma big Kilmarnock Bonnet nAs I run tae catch the trainnI'll ne'er forget the mug that I was made by Sandy LanenSays he "Man Jock when you arrive ask for Katie Bain."nShe bides at number Eichty Street in GlescannWhen I arrived in Glesca freensnThe first chap I did meetnSays I my man would you be as kind as show me achy streetnSays he "d'ye think ye've got a mug? Take that!" an struck me on the lugnAn said my man ye'll meet yer match in GlescannRPT. CHORUSnnA bonnie lass cam' up tae menDressed in a stripped frocknShe looked me in the face and said "Hallo, is that you Jock?"n"Yer big Kilmarnock's aff the plumb, c'mon an staun us a doodle o' rumnHoo long dad you intend tae bide in GlescannI treated the lass and asked the placenShe said she'd let me seenAnd as for Katie Bain, she said "She bides right next tae me"nSays I "She kens ane Sandy Lane?" Says she "Och aye! The very same."n"C'mon wi me tae Eichty Street in Glesca."nnRPT. CHORUSnnSh'introduced me to her neighbor nBut if she was Katie BainnI only hope and trust that I may ne'er see her again nThey left me wi ma breeks and shirt, ma bonnet a' besmear wi' dirtnTae wander throughout the muckle streets o' GlescannBut my sorrow wisnae endednThere was mair tae come beside nWi me half drunk and in the dark I fell into the ClydenThey pulled me oot and swore each yin they stood and watched me jumpin innAn' got me thirty days in "quad" in Glesca.nnRPT. CHORUS (2X) Less
