Description
“Comin’ Thro’ the Rye” is a poem written in 1782 by Robert Burns (1759–96).
The words are set to the melody of the Scottish Minstrel “Common’ Frae The Toun”.
(This is a variant of the tune to which Auld Lang Syne is usually sung—the melodic
shape is almost identical, the difference lying in the tempo and rhythm.)
It is performed in the video here by the dwsChorale, with a cheeky insertion of a hornpipe!
Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ thro’ the rye
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body cry?
Ilka lassie has her laddie
Nane, they say, hae I
Yet a’ the lads they smile at me
When comin’ thro’ the rye.
Gin a body meet a body
Comin’ frae the toun
Gin a body greet a body
Need a body froun?
Ilka lassie has her laddie
Nane, they say, hae I
Yet a’ the lads they smile at me
When comin’ thro’ the rye.
Gin a body meet a body,
Comin’ frae the well,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body tell?
‘Mang the train there is a swain
I dearly lo’e mysel’
But what his name or whaur his hame
I dinna care to tell