Traditional Scottish Songs
- The Gallowa' Hills

The rounded Galloway hills are not as dramatic as the Highlands, but to a native of the area, they are just as memorable. The original song "The Braes of Galloway" was written by William Nicolson, a wandering minstrel who roamed Galloway from 1793 to 1849. The song has changed over the years and this version is by a legendary ballad singer, Jeannie Robertson.


The Gallowa' Hills

I’ll tak’ my plaidie contented to be,
A wee bittie kilted abune my knee,
An’ I’ll gie my pipes another blaw,
An’ I’ll gang oot o’er the hills tae Gallowa’.

Chorus:
Oh the Gallowa’ hills are covered wi’ broom,
Wi’ heather bells in bonnie bloom,
Wi’ heather bells an’ rivers a’
An’ I’ll gang oot o’er the hills tae Gallowa’.

For I say bonnie lassie will ye come wi’ me
Tae share your lot in a far country
For tae share your lot when doon fa’s a’
An’ we’ll gang oot ower the hills tae Gallowa’.

Chorus:

For I’ll sell my rock, an’ I’ll sell my reel,
I’ll sell my granny’s spinning wheel,
I will sell them a’ when doon fa’s a’,
An’ we’ll gang oot ower the hills tae Gallowa’. Chorus:

Meaning of unusual words:
plaidie=large rectangle of tartan woollen cloth worn as an outer garment
abune=above
doon fa’s a’=down falls all

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs



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