THE COLLIER LADDIE Lyrics And Guitar Chords
4/4 (Traditional Scottish Song)Corries’ arrangement with chords. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included in the key of D Major.
Here's a rake more of The Corries Tabs that are here .The Collier Laddie Sheet Music For Mandolin / 4 String Banjo now included.
Here's a rake more of The Corries Tabs that are here .The Collier Laddie Sheet Music For Mandolin / 4 String Banjo now included.
I've (D)traveled east and I've traveled west,
I've (G)traveled by Kir(D)kaldy,
But the bonniest (C)lass that (D)e'er I saw,
She was (G)following a (D)collier (A)lad(D)die.
"(D)Whaur dae ye bide my bonnie lass?
Come (G)tell me what they (D)ca' ye."
"Bonnie Jean (C)Gordon (D)is my name,
And I'm (G)followin' ma (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"Dae (D)you no see yon hills and dales
The (G)sun shines on sae (D)brawly
They’re all (C)mine and they (D)shall be thine
If (G)ye’ll gie up yer (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"And (D)you will walk in silk attire
(G)Busk it up sae (D)gaudy
With one to (C)wait on (D)every hand
When (G)ye gie up yer (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"Tho’ (D)you had aa’ the sun shines on
The (G)earth conceals sae (D)lowly
I’d turn my (C)back u(D)pon them all
Tae em(G)brace my (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
Then (D)he has gone tae her faither dear
Tae her (G)faither gone sae (D)brawly
"Gie tae (C)me yer (D)bonnie wee lass
That’s (G)followin’ the (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"I’ll (D)gie her hands, I’ll gie her rents
(G)I’ll make her a (D)lady
I’ll make her (C)one o’ a (D)higher degree
Than tae (G)follow a (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
Her (D)faither than baith vowed and swear
"(G)Tho’ he be black he’s (D)bonny
She’s a mair de(C)light in (D)him I fear
Than (G)ye and (D)all yer (A)mo(D)ney."
Traditional 17th century lyrics
I've traveled east and I've traveled west
And I've traveled owre Kirkaldy,
But the bonniest lass that e'er I spied,
She was followin' her collier laddie.
Refrain:
Laddie, O laddie,
The bonniest lass that e'er I spied,
She was followin' her collier laddie
I've (G)traveled by Kir(D)kaldy,
But the bonniest (C)lass that (D)e'er I saw,
She was (G)following a (D)collier (A)lad(D)die.
"(D)Whaur dae ye bide my bonnie lass?
Come (G)tell me what they (D)ca' ye."
"Bonnie Jean (C)Gordon (D)is my name,
And I'm (G)followin' ma (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"Dae (D)you no see yon hills and dales
The (G)sun shines on sae (D)brawly
They’re all (C)mine and they (D)shall be thine
If (G)ye’ll gie up yer (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"And (D)you will walk in silk attire
(G)Busk it up sae (D)gaudy
With one to (C)wait on (D)every hand
When (G)ye gie up yer (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"Tho’ (D)you had aa’ the sun shines on
The (G)earth conceals sae (D)lowly
I’d turn my (C)back u(D)pon them all
Tae em(G)brace my (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
Then (D)he has gone tae her faither dear
Tae her (G)faither gone sae (D)brawly
"Gie tae (C)me yer (D)bonnie wee lass
That’s (G)followin’ the (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
"I’ll (D)gie her hands, I’ll gie her rents
(G)I’ll make her a (D)lady
I’ll make her (C)one o’ a (D)higher degree
Than tae (G)follow a (D)collier (A)lad(D)die."
Her (D)faither than baith vowed and swear
"(G)Tho’ he be black he’s (D)bonny
She’s a mair de(C)light in (D)him I fear
Than (G)ye and (D)all yer (A)mo(D)ney."
Traditional 17th century lyrics
I've traveled east and I've traveled west
And I've traveled owre Kirkaldy,
But the bonniest lass that e'er I spied,
She was followin' her collier laddie.
Refrain:
Laddie, O laddie,
The bonniest lass that e'er I spied,
She was followin' her collier laddie
Here's the guitar chords in the key of G
I've (G)traveled east and I've traveled west,
I've (C)traveled by Kir(G)kaldy,
But the bonniest (F)lass that (G)e'er I saw,
She was (C)following a (G)collier (D)lad(G)die.
"(G)Whaur dae ye bide my bonnie lass?
Come (C)tell me what they (G)ca' ye."
"Bonnie Jean (F)Gordon (G)is my name,
And I'm (C)followin' ma (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"Dae (G)you no see yon hills and dales
The (C)sun shines on sae (G)brawly
They’re all (F)mine and they (G)shall be thine
If (C)ye’ll gie up yer (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"And (G)you will walk in silk attire
(C)Busk it up sae (G)gaudy
With one to (F)wait on (G)every hand
When (C)ye gie up yer (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"Tho’ (G)you had aa’ the sun shines on
The (C)earth conceals sae (G)lowly
I’d turn my (F)back u(G)pon them all
Tae em(C)brace my (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
Then (G)he has gone tae her faither dear
Tae her (C)faither gone sae (G)brawly
"Gie tae (F)me yer (G)bonnie wee lass
That’s (C)followin’ the (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"I’ll (G)gie her hands, I’ll gie her rents
(C)I’ll make her a (G)lady
I’ll make her (F)one o’ a (G)higher degree
Than tae (C)follow a (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
Her (G)faither than baith vowed and swear
"(C)Tho’ he be black he’s (G)bonny
She’s a mair de(F)light in (G)him I fear
Than (C)ye and (G)all yer (D)mo(G)ney."
I've (G)traveled east and I've traveled west,
I've (C)traveled by Kir(G)kaldy,
But the bonniest (F)lass that (G)e'er I saw,
She was (C)following a (G)collier (D)lad(G)die.
"(G)Whaur dae ye bide my bonnie lass?
Come (C)tell me what they (G)ca' ye."
"Bonnie Jean (F)Gordon (G)is my name,
And I'm (C)followin' ma (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"Dae (G)you no see yon hills and dales
The (C)sun shines on sae (G)brawly
They’re all (F)mine and they (G)shall be thine
If (C)ye’ll gie up yer (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"And (G)you will walk in silk attire
(C)Busk it up sae (G)gaudy
With one to (F)wait on (G)every hand
When (C)ye gie up yer (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"Tho’ (G)you had aa’ the sun shines on
The (C)earth conceals sae (G)lowly
I’d turn my (F)back u(G)pon them all
Tae em(C)brace my (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
Then (G)he has gone tae her faither dear
Tae her (C)faither gone sae (G)brawly
"Gie tae (F)me yer (G)bonnie wee lass
That’s (C)followin’ the (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
"I’ll (G)gie her hands, I’ll gie her rents
(C)I’ll make her a (G)lady
I’ll make her (F)one o’ a (G)higher degree
Than tae (C)follow a (G)collier (D)lad(G)die."
Her (G)faither than baith vowed and swear
"(C)Tho’ he be black he’s (G)bonny
She’s a mair de(F)light in (G)him I fear
Than (C)ye and (G)all yer (D)mo(G)ney."
“The Collier Laddie,” a lilting folk waltz that suits a 3/4 (or 6/8) rhythm beautifully.
Below is your full G major guitar arrangement — including a gentle strumming pattern, a fingerpicking tab, and tips to make it sound authentically Scottish.
🎵 The Collier Laddie — in G Major
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: ~80 BPM (gentle waltz feel)
Time Signature: 3/4 (ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three)
🎸 1. Lyrics with Chords
I've [G]traveled east and I've traveled west,
I've [C]traveled by Kir[G]kaldy,
But the bonniest [F]lass that [G]e'er I saw,
She was [C]following a [G]collier [D]lad[G]die.
🎸 2. Strumming Pattern (3/4 Folk Waltz Feel)
A classic slow Scottish waltz rhythm:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count: 1 2 3
or
(Bass) – Down – Up
How to play it:
Beat 1: Play the bass note of the chord with your thumb or pick.
Beats 2–3: Lightly brush down-up with your fingers or pick.
Keep the movement soft and even — like a slow dance rhythm.
Example for G chord:
6th string (bass) → down-up on beats 2–3
🎶 3. Fingerpicking Tab (for All Verses)
Use a 3/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – I – M – T – I – M (Thumb, Index, Middle)
Thumb plays bass note (E, A, or D string depending on chord)
Index on G string
Middle on B string
Let notes ring together for that Celtic harp-like sound.
Verse Fingerpicking Example
G
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---0-----|------0---0-----|
G|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|--3-------------|--3-------------|
I've traveled east and I've traveled west,
C G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---1-----|------1---1-----|------0---0-----|------0---0-----|
G|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|
D|--------2-------|--------2-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|--3-------------|
I've traveled by Kirkcaldy,
F G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---1-----|------1---1-----|------0---0-----|------0---0-----|
G|----2---2---2---|----2---2---2---|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|
D|--3-------------|--3-------------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|--3-------------|
But the bonniest lass that e’er I saw,
C G D G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---1-----|------0---0-----|------3---3-----|------0---0-----|
G|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|----2---2---2---|----0---0---0---|
D|--------2-------|--------0-------|--0-------------|--------0-------|
A|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|--3-------------|----------------|--3-------------|
She was following a collier laddie.
💡 Performance Tips
🎵 Tempo & Feel:
Keep it flowing and storytelling — like a slow waltz. Don’t rush the beat.
🎵 Dynamics:
Play the first line softly and build gently toward the last line.
End the final verse with a slow arpeggiated G chord (see below).
🎵 Bass Alternation (Optional):
G: alternate 6th → 4th string
C: alternate 5th → 4th string
D: alternate 4th → 5th string
F: alternate 6th → 4th string
🎵 Ornamentation:
On G and C chords, try hammering the open A string → 2nd fret before returning to the full chord.
On F chord, hammer D string (2→3) softly for a Highland flavor.
🎵 Ending Idea (slow arpeggio):
Below is your full G major guitar arrangement — including a gentle strumming pattern, a fingerpicking tab, and tips to make it sound authentically Scottish.
🎵 The Collier Laddie — in G Major
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: ~80 BPM (gentle waltz feel)
Time Signature: 3/4 (ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three)
🎸 1. Lyrics with Chords
I've [G]traveled east and I've traveled west,
I've [C]traveled by Kir[G]kaldy,
But the bonniest [F]lass that [G]e'er I saw,
She was [C]following a [G]collier [D]lad[G]die.
🎸 2. Strumming Pattern (3/4 Folk Waltz Feel)
A classic slow Scottish waltz rhythm:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count: 1 2 3
or
(Bass) – Down – Up
How to play it:
Beat 1: Play the bass note of the chord with your thumb or pick.
Beats 2–3: Lightly brush down-up with your fingers or pick.
Keep the movement soft and even — like a slow dance rhythm.
Example for G chord:
6th string (bass) → down-up on beats 2–3
🎶 3. Fingerpicking Tab (for All Verses)
Use a 3/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – I – M – T – I – M (Thumb, Index, Middle)
Thumb plays bass note (E, A, or D string depending on chord)
Index on G string
Middle on B string
Let notes ring together for that Celtic harp-like sound.
Verse Fingerpicking Example
G
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---0-----|------0---0-----|
G|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|
D|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|--3-------------|--3-------------|
I've traveled east and I've traveled west,
C G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---1-----|------1---1-----|------0---0-----|------0---0-----|
G|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|
D|--------2-------|--------2-------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|--3-------------|
I've traveled by Kirkcaldy,
F G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---1-----|------1---1-----|------0---0-----|------0---0-----|
G|----2---2---2---|----2---2---2---|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|
D|--3-------------|--3-------------|--------0-------|--------0-------|
A|--3-------------|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|--3-------------|--3-------------|
But the bonniest lass that e’er I saw,
C G D G
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---1-----|------0---0-----|------3---3-----|------0---0-----|
G|----0---0---0---|----0---0---0---|----2---2---2---|----0---0---0---|
D|--------2-------|--------0-------|--0-------------|--------0-------|
A|--3-------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|--3-------------|----------------|--3-------------|
She was following a collier laddie.
💡 Performance Tips
🎵 Tempo & Feel:
Keep it flowing and storytelling — like a slow waltz. Don’t rush the beat.
🎵 Dynamics:
Play the first line softly and build gently toward the last line.
End the final verse with a slow arpeggiated G chord (see below).
🎵 Bass Alternation (Optional):
G: alternate 6th → 4th string
C: alternate 5th → 4th string
D: alternate 4th → 5th string
F: alternate 6th → 4th string
🎵 Ornamentation:
On G and C chords, try hammering the open A string → 2nd fret before returning to the full chord.
On F chord, hammer D string (2→3) softly for a Highland flavor.
🎵 Ending Idea (slow arpeggio):
The Collier Laddie Sheet Music And Tin Whistle Notes
The Collier Laddie Sheet Music For Mandolin / 4 String Banjo
The Corries ''The Collier Laddie''
