One of the best things about studying classical music here at the RCS is the opportunity to explore diverse repertoire. Immersing yourself in great works from different composers, countries and cultures makes for exciting times.
I added two beautiful Scottish Songs to my repertoire for a competition, the Hugh S Robertson Scots Song competition held at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in November 2013., “Scots Song” and “The Laird O’ Cockpen”. These songs are tracks 12 and 13 on my album Canzoni D’Amore (Songs of Love).

‘Scots Song’ was composed by James MacMillan (b.1959) CBE, in 1991 and is one of the songs from ‘Three Scottish Songs’ an atmospheric setting of poems in Scots and in English by William Soutar (1898-1943)..

‘Scots Song’ 1991; ‘Ballad’ 1994; and ‘The Children’ 1995.
James MacMillian is a Scottish born Classical and modern composer and conductor who became Associate composer with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
“The Tryst” poem by William Soutar became the Scots Song. The hauntingly beautiful lyrics could be explained as two lovers meeting secretly at night and sharing precious hours together before having to part in the morning.
O luely, luely cam she in
And luely she lay doun;
I kent her be her caller lips
And her briests sae sma’ and roun’
A’ thru the nicht we spak nae word
Nor sinder’d bane frae bane:
A’thru the nicht I heard her hert
Gang soundin’ wi’my ain.
It was about the waukrife hour
Whan cocks begin to craw;
The she smool’d saftly thru the mirk
Afore the day wud daw.
Sae luely, luely cam she in
Sae luely was she gaen;
And wi’her a’ my simmer days
Like they had never been
I sang it at The Kathleen Ferrier Bursary competition, but here’s a recording I made at Bury Parish Church on February 14th 2014, a great tune for Valentine’s day.
I recently went with friends to watch James MacMillan’s opera “Ines de Castro” at the refurbished Theatre Royal in Glasgow. It was a great evening and I must put some time aside to write about it for you. Here are a couple of pictures from the evening.
Beautiful!
Thank you Lisa.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for this Charlotte. Such a magnificent voice you have, and coming from such a wisp of a woman!
😊 thank you Noelle.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks Charlotte, nice share. Very interesting. Reading you want to come to Edimburg and discover Scotland. All the best for you !!!
It’s a beautiful country but you would feel the chill in Winter compared to the South of France. But if you like skiing theres snow on the mountains.
Best wishes
Charlotte
🙂 Today I had snow in my garden … I do not ski, but I love lakes, castles, rivers, full Bryère hill and blue thistles:-)
And here in Glasgow today it was cold but very bright sunshine. You would love the photo opportunities here and further North.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re right and I think for months …..
There is such a haunted, haunting, quality to this piece and I find it interesting to hear the Scottish vernacular sung without a brogue; twas much easier to hear the words in my own speak this way. Your voice crystal clear and most enjoyable. Your presentation poised and commanding. I tell you young lady, I shall be ever honored to remind people that I stood in full observance of your career blooming! Brava.
What a lovely compliment Annette thank you. It is hauntingly beautiful, I had some help with pronunciation from my flatmate’s Mum. I love the Scottish vernacular then again I love all accents and the different lyrical sounds they make.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Is it almost a year ago already? A pleasing reminder of an unusual musical experience for me and confirmed status as first blog follower to attend a recital and meet you.
Yay our anniversary 😃 you are always most welcome Martin.
My best wishes
Charlotte
Pretty soon you’ll be speaking Scottish like a regular Scot.
I’m a natural mimic Don and slip into the accent of the person I’m speaking to over time😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful, Charlotte. Your voice has such a lovely, rich tone.
Thank you, I’m choosing some new songs to learn at the moment it’s exciting.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Gorgeous. And I was pleased to see the reference to Kathleen Ferrier, my all-time favourite. Now what about “Blow the wind southerly”?
Gert the non-Norwegian.
Blow the Wind Southerly was such a popular song in the music festivals I know it but haven’t sung it, I’ll have to give it a go. 😄 I’m looking for a Norwegian speaker if you come across someone send them my way.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It’s so hard to sing well. There’s a spine-chillingly good version of it on YouTube with Maureen Forester.
Loving the photo of you in front of a classic Scottish ruined castle. Which one is this?
The castle is called Eilean Donan on a small island in the Western Islands. A visit thanks to photoshop but I’ve already put it on my list of places I want to visit.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Gorgeous background! Thanks for the info.
Beautiful song and singing. Just like you said it is hauntingly beautiful. I love it.
It’s very challenging and I grew to love its complex relationship with the piano.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a wonderful song and so beautifully sung!
Thanks Clare 😊 hope you have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I hope you are having a good weekend too.
I enjoyed listening to this very much, beautiful song sung beautifully
Thanks Mike these beautiful songs are growers. They grow on you the more you hear them 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte once again you look and sound great i took my tablet around to show my friend and she thought you were fantastic,well your nan might understand my husband better being scottish if she visits you often good luck xxx
Nan’s here with me now Barbara and she said she’ll never understand Tony in a million years lol 😃. She’ll have to listen to my song over and over again.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful piece of music ~ seems to fitting for you to sing ~ stirs the Scottish blood inside 🙂
Glasgow has really become my second home Randall, I love the culture, people and Scotland in general.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I love those Scots songs. Perhaps you should consider doing a whole album of them including some of the old classics from Scotland?
That’s interesting, I’ve not considered it, I’ve a friend Eric that’s on a Scottish Traditional degree it would be great to do something with him.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Many songsters feature a mixture of Scottish and Irish, but I think there is more than enough familiar material to have an album featuring songs exclusively from Scotland.
So beautiful and soothing.
Soothing is a great word for it Hilary.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Keep up with your wonderful singing, Charlotte 🙂 Lovely piece. The lyrics are so interesting to read too! All the best… 🙂
Thanks Iris I will. These poems set to music are beautiful and I love the inspiration I get from your poetry.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you Charlotte. 🙂
Well done..:)
Have a nice day..:)
Thank you Joshi 😊 have a fabulous weekend.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such a Beautiful voice you have like you are..☺️☺️☺️
😀 lovely thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I admire how you’re surrounded by the arts and music living and studying in Glasgow. I’ve enjoyed all your posts. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Thank you Arti i really appreciate your message 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Brilliant… as always!
Hi Philip hope you and your family are all well 😊. Lovely to hear from you thank you.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Hello, could you say me if it’s a good translation please :
O softly, softly she came in
And softly she lay down ;
I have kiss her be her cool lips
And her breasts are small and round
And through the night we speak not word
than parted bone from bone :
And through the night I heard her hart
gong sounding with my pain.
It was about the waking hour
When cocks begin to crowing
Then she slipped safely through the darkness
Before the day would dawn.
so softly, softly she came in
so softly was she gone;
And with her are my simmer days
Like they had never been
Does this help? A French translation from my music score:
O, doucement, elle est entrée
Doucement elle s’est allongée.
Je connais ses lèvres fraîches
Et sa poitrine petite et ronde.
Et pendant la nuit, nous ne dîmes mot
Ni ne séparâmes membre de membre:
Et pendant la nuit, j’entendis son cœur
Battre avec le mien.
C’est vers l’aube
Alors que le coq commença à chanter
Qu’elle se retira doucement dans la brume
Avant le lever du jour.
Si doucement, elle est entrée
Et doucement elle est partie
Et avec elle tous mes beaux jours
comme s’ils n’avaient jamais été.
😊 Charlotte
Fabulous, it’s just what i need !! Merci infiniment Charlotte !!
Thank you very very much !! 🙂
😃