“Farewell to Alvah's Woods and Braes”
Description
The singer bids farewell to Alvah, "The place of my nativity." He recalls the happy times on Deveron's banks. But 'My ship it lies in readiness, My loving friends I'll bid goodbye." He will be buried where there is none to shed a tear -- but leaves anyway
Notes
Ord was told that people in Banff called this "The Poacher's Farewell," but the song contains no hint of transportation that I can see. What it does have is echoes of many other songs -- e.g. "The Earl of Errol" or the like ("Oh, Alvah it's a bonnie place"), "Trooper and Maid" ("He turned him right and round about"), etc. They aren't really cross-referenceable; it's just that this is built from many common phrases. - RBW
References
- Ord, p. 349, "Farewell to Alvah's Woods and Braes" (1 text)
- Roud #4590
- BI, Ord349