Tae the Weaver's Gin Ye Go
Love's Loom: A Weaver's Spell on Hearts
Lyrics
My heart was ance as blythe and free
Expresses a past state of happiness and freedom in the narrator's heart.
As simmer days were lang,
Compares the previous joyful state to long summer days.
But a bonnie westlin weaver lad
Introduces a handsome weaver lad from the west who has influenced the narrator.
Has gart me change my sang.
Indicates that the weaver lad has compelled the narrator to change their song or perspective.
Chorus:
Chorus introduction
Tae the weaver's gin ye go fair maid,
Encourages the fair maid to visit the weaver.
Tae the weaver's gin ye go,
Repeats the suggestion to visit the weaver.
I rede ye richt, gang ne'er at nicht,
Advises not to go at night, possibly implying caution or secrecy.
Tae the weaver's gin ye go.
Reiterates the advice to visit the weaver.
My mither sent me tae the toon
Narrator's mother sends them to the town to weave a plaiden wab (cloth).
Tae warp a plaiden wab;
Specifies the task assigned by the mother.
But the weary weary warpin o't
Expresses weariness from the laborious process of warping the cloth.
Has gart me sigh and sab.
Leads to a sigh and sob due to the tiring nature of the work.
Chorus
Chorus repetition
A bonnie westlin weaver lad
Reintroduces the weaver lad and describes his attractiveness while working at the loom.
Sat workin at his loom
Illustrates the weaver lad's engagement with his loom.
He took my heart as wi a net
Metaphorically captures how the weaver lad captivated the narrator's heart.
In every knot and thrum.
Highlights the emotional impact of every detail in the weaver lad's work.
Chorus
Chorus repetition
I sat beside my warpin-wheel
Describes the narrator sitting by the warpin-wheel, a device for preparing yarn.
And ay I ca'd it roun'
Repetitive action of turning the wheel while thinking about the weaver lad.
But every shot and every knock
Every action on the wheel affects the narrator's heart, causing a pang or stoun.
my heart it gae a stoun.
Expresses the emotional impact of the weaving process on the narrator.
Chorus
Chorus repetition
The moon was sinkin in the west
Describes the moon sinking in the west, possibly symbolizing the end of a romantic encounter.
Wi' visage pale and wan,
Portrays the moon's pale and wan appearance as it witnesses the narrator being escorted through the glen.
As my bonnie westlin weaver lad
Confirms the presence of the weaver lad accompanying the narrator.
Convoy'd me thro' the glen.
Describes the journey through the glen, suggesting a romantic or emotional connection.
Chorus
Chorus repetition
But what was said or what was done
Addresses secrecy about the details of the encounter with the weaver lad.
Shame fa' me gin I tell
Expresses hesitation or shame about revealing what transpired between the narrator and the weaver lad.
But Oh, I fear the kintra soon
Expresses fear that the country will soon know the narrator's secret.
Will ken as weel's mysel.
Reflects on the potential consequences of the secret becoming public knowledge.
Chorus
Chorus repetition
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