Then We’ll Rag “The Keel Row”

(Bonnie Little Mary of Argyle)
a 1922 popular song.
“The Keel Row” is a traditional Tyneside folk song.
Words and music by Reginald A. A. Stoneham.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Oh! dearie me, I’m just as happy
    As the birds in spring
    Oh! dearie me, I feel so good
    I want to dance and sing
    Oh! dearie me, I’ve been so sad and lonely
    Ever since he went away
    But I’m feeling better for I’ve had a letter
    Saying he’ll be home today

Chorus
There’s a Highland laddie coming over the sea
There’s a Highland laddie coming over to me
So I’m laughing and dancing and singing
While the bells in the Kirk they are singing
There’s a sprig of heather hanging over the door
And the pipers will be playing all the while
So we’ll rag-o “The Keel Row”, for Sandy’s coming home
To his bonnie little Mary of Argyle

  1. Sandy McKie
    My bonnie Highland laddie, I’ve been true
    Sandie McKie
    I’ve never seen a laddie just like you
    Down in the glen, I’ve got a band of pipers
    Laddies and lassies to sing
    And amid the heather we will dance together
    In a real old highland fling

Sung here by Fred Feild: