The Bluebells of Scotland is the usual modern name for a Scottish folk song (Roud # 13849). It was written by Dora Jordan, an English actress and writer. First published in 1801.

As with most...Read more

The Bluebells of Scotland is the usual modern name for a Scottish folk song (Roud # 13849). It was written by Dora Jordan, an English actress and writer. First published in 1801.

As with most folk songs, it exists in multiple versions. In the version printed in 1803 in the Scots Musical Museum, with `blue bells` in the title, and a different tune to the current one, the words are:

O where and O where does your highland laddie dwell;
O where and O where does your highland laddie dwell;
He dwells in merry Scotland where the blue bells sweetly smell,
And all in my heart I love my laddie well`
A broadside ballad version (words only) from slightly later in the 19th century makes references to George III and the Napoleonic wars:

Oh, where, and oh, where is my highland laddie gone,
Oh, where, and oh, where is my highland laddie gone,
He`s gone to fight the French, for King George upon the throne,
And it`s oh in my heart I wish him safe at home

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