Tramps & Hawkers
The traveling song, Tramps & Hawkers, was composed in the late 1800’s by the Angus hawker , Jimmy Henderson, also known as Brechin Jimmy. It celebrates those that tramp the countryside, hawking their wares, gathering the local blaw (gossip) and passing it on. They were the source of the news throughout the known world and teller of tales of distant lands.
I have spent some portion of my life in recent years traveling and gathering blaw along with photographs. So here I present my own Tramps & Hawkers view of the Scottish countryside. And, in the tradition of many of those tramps and hawkers of old, I have composed my own verses to celebrate my journeys.
(Tramps & Hawkers performed by my friend, Alex Beaton, live at the 2010 Stone Mountain Games and used with his permission.)
Ben Nevis
Bonnie Doon (Doune) Castle
Ill tae ken Clava Cairns
The River Don
Dunrobin Castle
The Coast of John O’ Groats
Heather in the Cairngorms
Flora MacDonald’s Grave on Skye
I’ve trod the banks o’ the bonnie Tweed
At the gloamin’ o’ the day
On th’ Isle of Skye I’ve bent my knee
Where Flora MacDonald lay.
At the gloamin’ o’ the day
On th’ Isle of Skye I’ve bent my knee
Where Flora MacDonald lay.
The River Tweed
I ha’ dined on Anster’s fish and beer,
I’ve strode St. Andrew’s strand
In heath’r on the Cairngorms,
Breathed Heav’n on the land
I’ve strode St. Andrew’s strand
In heath’r on the Cairngorms,
Breathed Heav’n on the land
The Strand at St. Andrews
Anstruther (Anster), Kingdom of Fife
The Royal Dee River
Loch Lomond with Ben Lomond in the Mist
Urquhart Castle upon Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Now I must gang ta Sammy’s Lan’, my time ta leave is nigh
But I’ll return ta ye someday and ta the Isle of Skye
To tramp again the Cuillin Hills in the mist o’ th’ mornin’ dew
An’ sing o’ amber waves o’ grain when I come back tae you.
Traditional last verse:
I think I'll gang tae Paddy's Lan', I'm mukin' up my mind
For Scotland's greatly altered noo, I canna raise the wind
But I will trust in Providence, if Providence prove true
And I will sing of Erin's Isle when I come back to you.
But I’ll return ta ye someday and ta the Isle of Skye
To tramp again the Cuillin Hills in the mist o’ th’ mornin’ dew
An’ sing o’ amber waves o’ grain when I come back tae you.
Traditional last verse:
I think I'll gang tae Paddy's Lan', I'm mukin' up my mind
For Scotland's greatly altered noo, I canna raise the wind
But I will trust in Providence, if Providence prove true
And I will sing of Erin's Isle when I come back to you.
Dear Fellow Beatonites,
As many of you know, in July, Alex suffered a debilitating accident at his home in Franklin. After seven and a half months in four hospitals, he is finally back home in Franklin, TN. I know that we all hope and pray for his full recovery. And we pray for strength for Linda. For the latest update on Alex’s condition, please go to his home page. Click here.
