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This was published by George Thomson of Edinburgh (1757-1851). Thomson paid F. J. Haydn in Vienna 2 ducats each for 200 tunes. He also paid Beethoven for tunes, but he quit, disgusted with the pay.
The lyrics are by Joanna Baillie. In the tune she speaks of lakes in Wales. When Thomson remarked that Wales had no lakes, Miss Baillie replied that she would not alter the line and they would have to "hope their readers were just as ignorant as she had been when she wrote it." |
I've no sheep on the mountains nor boat on the lake Nor coin in my coffer to keep me awake Nor corn in my garner, nor fruit on my tree Yet the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me. Rich Owen will tell you, with eyes full of scorn Threadbare is my coat, and my hosen are torn Scoff on, my rich Owen, for faint is thy glee When the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me. The farmer rides proudly to market and fair And the clerk at the ale house still claims the great chair But of all our proud fellows the proudest I'll be While the maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me. |
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| Information from Digital Tradition Folksong Forum. | |