THE BROOM O’ THE COWDENKNOWES lyrics and chords

4/4 (Traditional Scottish Love Ballad)
Male’ Version As sung by the McCalmans’ on their album ‚Scots Abroad’ (using capo on 1st fret) The sheet music and tin whistle notes are in the key of D Major.

Intro   C-Dm-Em-G   C-Dm-F-G-G
 
How (C)blithe was (Em)I each (F)morn to (C)see 
My lass come (Am)o'er the (F)hill 
(C)She skipped the (Em)burn and she (Am)ran tae (C)me 
(F)I met her wi’ good (G)will. 
 
Chorus
(C)O the (Em)broom, the (F)bonnie, bonnie (C)broom 
The broom o’ the (Am)Cowden(F)knowes 
(C)Fain would I (Em)be in my (Am)ain coun(C)try
(F)Herding her father's (G)ewes

Repeat Intro

Hard (C)fate that (Em)I should (F)banished (C)be 
Gone way o'er (Am)hill and (F)moor 
Be(C)cause I (Em)loved the (Am)fairest (C)lass 
(F)That ever yet was (G)born 
 
Chorus + Intro

Fare(C)well, ye (Em)Cowden(F)knowes, fare(C)well 
Farewell all (Am)pleasures (F)there 
(C)To wander (Em)by her (Am)side a(C)gain 
(F)Is all I crave or (G)care
 
Chorus 2x
Instrumental chorus + Intro 2x + final C-chord
 
‚Female’ Version
As sung by the McCalmans’ on their album ‚Turn Again’ (use chords as above without capo)
 
How blithe I was each morn to see 
My love come o' er the hill 
He left the burn and he blew tae me 
I met him wi' good will
 
Chorus
O, the broom, the bonnie, bonnie broom 
The broom o' the Cowdenknowes 
Fain would I be with my ain true love 
Wi' his pipy and my ewes
 
I neither wanted ewe nor lamb 
When his blass lay by me 
He gathered in my sheep at night 
And he cheered me all the day
 
He tuned his pipe and reed sae sweet 
The birds stood list'ning by 
Even the dull cattle stood and gaz 'd 
Charm 'd with his melody

Chords in the key of G.

How (G)blithe was (Bm)I each (C)morn to (G)see 
My lass come (Em)o'er the (C)hill 
(G)She skipped the (Bm)burn and she (Em)ran tae (G)me 
(C)I met her wi’ good (D)will. 
 
Chorus
(G)O the (Bm)broom, the (C)bonnie, bonnie (G)broom 
The broom o’ the (Em)Cowden(C)knowes 
(G)Fain would I (Bm)be in my (Em)ain coun(G)try
(C)Herding her father's (D)ewes

Repeat Intro

Hard (G)fate that (Bm)I should (C)banished (G)be 
Gone way o'er (Em)hill and (C)moor 
Be(G)cause I (Bm)loved the (Em)fairest (G)lass 
(C)That ever yet was (D)born 
 
Chorus + Intro

Fare(G)well, ye (Bm)Cowden(C)knowes, fare(G)well 
Farewell all (Em)pleasures (C)there 
(G)To wander (Bm)by her (Em)side a(G)gain 
(C)Is all I crave or (D)care

Key of D
How (D)blithe was (F#m)I each (G)morn to (D)see 
My lass come (Bm)o'er the (G)hill 
(D)She skipped the (F#m)burn and she (Bm)ran tae (D)me 
(G)I met her wi’ good (A)will. 
 
Chorus
(D)O the (F#m)broom, the (G)bonnie, bonnie (D)broom 
The broom o’ the (Bm)Cowden(G)knowes 
(D)Fain would I (F#m)be in my (Bm)ain coun(D)try
(G)Herding her father's (A)ewes

Repeat Intro

Hard (D)fate that (F#m)I should (G)banished (D)be 
Gone way o'er (Bm)hill and (G)moor 
Be(D)cause I (F#m)loved the (Bm)fairest (D)lass 
(G)That ever yet was (A)born 
 
Chorus + Intro

Fare(D)well, ye (F#m)Cowden(G)knowes, fare(D)well 
Farewell all (Bm)pleasures (G)there 
(D)To wander (F#m)by her (Bm)side a(D)gain 
(G)Is all I crave or (A)care