The Lass o' Killiecrankie - Harry Lauder (1904)

"The Lass o' Killiecrankie"

Harry Lauder

Pathé 60452

1904

Oh, years ago I used to be the smartest chap as you would see
The Prince of Wales he wanted me to go and join the army
Now I'm turning old and frail, like a dog without a tail
And it's all through Jane McPhail the lass o' Killiecrankie.

Too-ral-oo-ral-oo-ral-oo
Fal-the duddle-al-the duddledy
She's as sweet as honey-dew
The lass o' Killiecrankie.

Oh, one day I was 'cutting it fat', and as she passed I raised my hat
And as her little nose was flat, I handed her my 'hankey'
'Jane,' said I 'You're looking smart, could you masticate a tart?'
She smiled a smole near broke my heart - the lass o' Killiecrankie

Oh, may be I was acting rash, when I tried her waist to squash
She said, 'Although you're on the mash, stop your hankey-pankey.'
She said that married we would be, then she heaved a sigh, you see
Then she heaved a brick at me, on the hills o' Killiecrankie.

Oh, I was kilted to the knee, 'Jock, my dear,' she said to me
'We'll sit down two hours or three,' said I, 'My darling, thank ye.'
But very soon I changed my tune, for on a thistle I sat doon
And I nearly jumped up to the moon on the hills o' Killiecrankie.

He was born "Henry Lauder" at Portobello, Edinburgh, on August 4, 1870 (at the time of the Franco-Prussian War).

At age 21, Harry married Ann Vallance.

Lauder worked in coal mines, and singing brought relief to the job. With the encouragement of others, he brought his talents to the stage.

In 1905 he wrote "I Love a Lassie."

"Roamin' In The Gloamin'" was written and published in 1911.

With success as a music hall artist and recording artist, he ended up touring the world extensively. He eventually enjoyed success on radio, too.

When World War I broke out, Lauder was in Melbourne. He began raising funds to help the Allied cause. For his patriotic efforts, which raised massive funds, he was knighted in 1919.

In the second year of the war he lost his only son, John, a captain. It happened in December of 1916 at Poiziers. Lauder wrote the song "Keep Right on to the End of the Road" soon after the son's death.

His wife died died a decade later in 1927.

During his adult life he was Scotland's most famous entertainer. After he was knighted (again, this honor was bestowed as soon as World War I ended), he became Sir Harry Lauder. He was a singer, author, songwriter, recording star, radio performer, fundraiser, music hall regular, and film actor.

Though slowed by aging, he entertained troops throughout Britain during World War II.

His final years were spent at Lauder Ha' at Strathaven, where he died.

He died on February 26, 1950 (during the Cold War).

He was nearly 80.

I upload this for mild historic value. Lauder was very famous during his lifetime. He was as popular, one might argue, as Charlie Chaplin.

But a little bit of Harry Lauder goes a long way. His records are not in demand by today's record collectors.