WORDS
From Dennis Hempson of Magillan - The following verse on a celeb-
rated harper who lived about 250 years ago was translated by him
this is also one of the Progressive Lessons taught the young harpers & is the
fourth Tune Generally learnt
The above note comes from Bunting MS33 book III f9v. Below the lyric is presented
with emendations which would make it fit the general metrical structure of Hampsey's
harp setting, omitting of course two verses and two choruses.
í im bó 'gus ú um bó*
í im bó 'gus ú um bó
here lies Lappin, harpers' king
whose fingers deserve a golden string
his body lies here, his soul flies high
serenading David in the sky
's í im bó 'gus ú um bó
í im bó 'gus ú um bó
here we † spend our days
giving Kate and Lappin praise
now we quit and bid adieu
to royal Kate and Lappin too
's í im bó 'gus ú um bó
í im bó 'gus ú um bó
* pronounced 'ee imm bowe giss oo umm bowe'
† the metre is faulty here - words could be inserted, eg 'sit and'
Here lies Lappin harpers King
Who's fingers deserve a Golden String
This body lies here this soul flies high
Serenading David in the Sky
S iombo agus uambo,
here we spend our days
giving Kate and Lappin praise
Now we quit and bid adieu
To Royal Kate & Lappin too is iom iombo is uombo
Burns' March
Words