canasg choral music publishing

SG1003

Ay Waukin, O

words by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

tune 17th c. anon, arranged by Sheena Phillips
for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus

SATB performance time approx 2m 40s

Composer's notes

This is a well known and beautiful song penned by Robert Burns, probably Scotland's most widely known poet. The pattern of falling phrases can be used to suggest a sequence of lamenting cries, ebbing and flowing as the melody falls or rises. The tempo given is just a guide - verses could move more quickly than choruses.

The second syllable of 'waukin' in the tenor and bass lines should be tucked in just before the word 'O', as if the underlay was 'wau k'no'.

A recording of the piece (with some minor note differences) by Rudsambee company of singers is available on the album citrus and honey (RUBEECD002).

Music

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Words

Ay, waukin, O

Chorus
Ay, waukin,O, [always awake]
Waukin still and wearie;
Sleep I can get nane [none]
For thinkin on my dearie.

Verses
Simmer's a pleasant time, [summer]
Flowers of ev'ry colour;
The water rins o'er the heugh [runs over the bank]
And I long for my true lover.

When I sleep I dream,
When I wauk I'm irie; [apprehensive]
Sleep I can get nane
For thinking on my dearie.

Lanely night comes on, [lonely]
A' the lave are sleepin; [all the others]
I think on my bonny lad [beautiful]
And I bleer my een wi' greetin. [I blear my eyes with weeping]

Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Full pronunciation guide provided

Price

The price of this piece depends on the number of singers in your group. This is a single payment for a licence to make as many copies as you need for your group to rehearse and perform the song as often as you wish. Copies of the song must not be given, lent or sold to any other group.

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Companion pieces

Browse the Scots and Gaelic section of the Canasg catalogue for more songs like this one. To go there now, click on the 'catalogue' box to the right.

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