The Old Oaken Bucket
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Lesley Nelson-Burns


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These words were written in 1818 by Samuel Woodworth. They were originally sung to the traditional tune Jesse, The Flower o Dumblane (aka Jesse, the Flower of Dunblane). In 1870 they were set to this melody by English composer George Kiallmark which was written for Moore's Araby's Daughter.

Woodworth also wrote The Hunters of Kentucky.

The words to Jesse, The Flower of Dunblane were written by Tannahill. That air was composed by R.A. Smith (1780-1829). Smith was the son of a weaver who became a noted composer. He published several works and became the musical conductor in St. George's Church, Edinburgh.*

How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood
When fond recollection presents them to view
The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wildwood,
And ev'ry loved spot which my infancy knew
The wide spreading pond, and the mill that stood by it,
The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell;
The cot of my father, the dairy house nigh it,
And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well.
The old oaken bucket, the iron bound bucket,
The moss covered bucket that hung in the well.

The moss covered bucket I hailed as a treasure,
For often at noon, when returned from the field,
I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure,
The purest and sweetest that nature can yield.
How ardent I seized it, with hands that were glowing,
And quick to the white pebbled bottom it fell
Then soon, with the emblem of turth overflowing,
And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well.
The old oaken bucket, the iron bound bucket,
The moss covered bucket that hung in the well.
Related Links
From
The Fireside Book of Favorite American Songs and
*Scottish Songs See Bibliography for full information.