"Polwart on the Green"

Arranged by James Oswald in "A Curious Collection of Scots Tunes For A Violin, Bass Viol or German Flute," Edinburgh: 1740.

Oswald was born in Crail, Scotland. After working as a dancing master he eventually became a chamber composer for King George III. In a letter, Benjamin Franklin described hearing Oswald play unaccompanied fiddle songs on the cello: the listeners had "Teares of Pleasure."

Lyrics of the original song:

At Polwart on the Green,
If you'll meet me the Morn,
Where Lasses do conveen,
To dance about the Thorn;
A kindly welcome you shall meet,
Frae her wha likes to view,
A Lover and a lad complete,
The Lad and Lover you.

Artwork: "The Penny Wedding" by David Allan, ca. 1795.

Nadezda Soroka, violin
Eric Tinkerhess, viola da gamba
Mana Tinkerhess, triple harp
Robert Wang, lute

From the album "O Mother What Shall I Do," available on streaming platforms.