
This weekend we have been rehearsing with Scottish Opera Connect for the coming production of “The Walk From The Garden”. It has been fantastic to practice alongside the string quartet today and the excitement of feeling it all to come together makes it all so worthwhile.

Over the last few weeks I have been totally absorbed with several projects; learning the music and lyrics for our Chamber Choir performance on April 17th playing catch up because I’d missed a couple of rehearsals due to Dido, seeing all the aspects of “The Walk From The Garden” take shape and learning the music and dance routines as member of the chorus of “Sir John In Love” I have enjoyed being put through my paces.
For tonight’s post I wanted to leave you with the last of the songs from my album, “The Laird O’Cockpen”. This humorous Scottish folk song was written by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne ( 1766 – 1845 ). She wrote several beautiful songs which have become thought of as traditional Scottish songs. As the daughter of a staunchly Jacobite family she often wrote in sympathy of the cause, setting her songs to old established tunes.

Following her marriage to Major William Murray Naine she moved to Edinburgh becoming Lady Nairne. Whilst in Edinburgh she carried on writing her songs under a pseudonym as it was considered a “queer trade” for a titled Lady. The songs were kept secret from her husband and her work “Lays From Strathearn” was eventually published in her own name in 1946 after her death.

The Laird o’ Cockpen
The laird o’ Cockpen, he’s proud an’ he’s great,
His mind is ta’en up wi’ the things o’ the State;
He wanted a wife, a braw house to keep,
But favour wi’ wooin’ was fashious to seek.
By the dyke-side a lady did dwell,
At feast he give he thocht she’d look well,
M’Leish’s ae dochter o’ Clavers-ha’ Lea,
A penniless lass wi’ a lang pedigree.
His wig was weel pouther’d and as gude as new,
His waistcoat was white, his coat it was blue;
He put on a ring, a sword, and cock’d hat,
And wha could refuse the laird wi’ a’ that?
He took his grey mare, and rade cannily,
And rapp’d at the yett o’ Clavers-ha’ Lea;
‘Gae tell Mistress Jean to come speedily ben, –
She’s want to speak with the laird o’ Cockpen.’
Mistress Jean she was makin’ the elderflower wine;
‘An’ what brings the laird at sic a like time?’
She aff her apron, and on her silk goun,
Her mutch wi’ red ribbons, and gaed awa’ doun.
An’ when she cam’ ben, he bowed fu’ low,
An’ what was his errand he soon let her know;
Amazed was the laird when the lady said ‘Na’,
And wi’ a curtsie she turned and awa’.
Dumfounder’d was he, nae sigh did he gie,
He mounted his mare – he rade cannily;
An’ aften he thought, as he gaed through the glen,
She’s daft to refuse the laird o’ Cockpen.
Over the last couple of months I have been asked a couple of times if I have any CDs for sale rather than having to download the tracks from Amazon or iTunes. I do have about 30 that I have signed so my Dad has added a page to my blog where you can order one from (link).

I know that Walk From The Garden will be a great success Charlotte, and I am keeping you in my prayers, that this will lead to many opportunities for you, and this will be for the glory of God. May the Lord bless you richly.
Thank you, it’s a great training opportunity at this stage of my studies, Scottish Opera Connect does great work for young performers.
Best wishes
Charlotte
And anyone would be daft to not enjoy that! I love the way you can be delightfully theatrical without losing your vocal presentation. Brava!
Thank you Annette, I’m working hard on that this year, glad you enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You are most welcome as well as appreciated!
This song of Lady Nairne is very nice. Her story is a bit sad that she had to do what she liked in secret..
I found it fascinating, it was very different then for women.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Eager to see and hear you next month. Thank you for your detailed each track cd …. Bravo for all the work you do in keeping your smile and your kindness. All the best for You !!
My Dad has arranged your ticket for Saturday we’re looking forward to meeting you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks a lot Charlotte, and thanks to your Daddy !
Your Dad is a great ‘agent.’
Haha 😊 he’s learning as we go along and best of all he does it for love 😍, he made me a website and does all the technical things like videos I’m very lucky.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A real joy to hear and see you perform that song. I am sorely tempted to have one of your CDs with the signature!
It’s taken ages to learn how to set up that shop, we used PayPal in the end I think my Dads on first name terms with their helpline lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I have just bought your CD! It all works well. Congratulations to you and your Dad! Paypal is so much easier and safer.
Thanks Clare how exciting, trip to the post office 😊 hope it’s sunny tomorrow lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Don’t you go getting wet just to send the CD to me. I can wait an extra day! 😀
This song is quite witty, I think, and the lady sorts this vainglorious guy out very well.
It wasn’t so easy for women composers then, as you say. Fanny Mendelssohn had problems with Felix, as did Amy Beach with Dr Beach, only blossoming when he passed on. Too bad!
Interesting info Rod, enjoying your music blog https://reinhold757.wordpress.com/
Best wishes
Charlotte
I cannot wait to see you perform in April, very exciting! Your such a busy lady lately, I don’t know where you get your energy from. I love the Laird o’Cockpen brilliant, see you soon. Xx
I was hoping to come back home this Easter break but I’ve got a bit too much on, I’ll see if I can make a long weekend. I love it too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
PS, I have my CD it is fantastic hopefully it won’t be the last xx
I’ve been recording Les Sirenes next cd for the past couple of days, I’ll let you know when it’s out.
See you soon,
Charlotte
Amazing performance, Charlotte. You are evolving through divine measures.
Thanks, pleased you enjoyed it. I like your blog colours and layout.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Stunning performance dear Charlotte… And I love the lyrics of the song as well… Have a beautiful week ahead :star: Aquileana 😀
Thank you, I hope it gave you a chuckle. 🙂
My best wishes
Charlotte
That song always makes me giggle. 🙂 Thanks for posting the lyrics.
You can join in with me now 🙂 I need to learn a suitable Welsh folk song to put in my repertoire to have a complete four nations of the UK program.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I just might. Though my Scottish accent is pretty atrocious. 😉
You do sound busy! Definitely an amusing song.
Yep 🙂 Can you imagine the fun doing that put down in real life lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very nicely done. I thought you showed great control and precision. Naturally, I appreciated the dialect of my ancestors. 🙂 Apparently, as Robbie Burns might say, a lady’s a lady for a’ that. Too bad about her forlorn hope for the “king across the water.”
Thank you Tom 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your songs often surprise me with pleasure as I listen to a random mixture on my iTunes files. I assure you you are in good company with my other CDs.
Thank you Hilary that’s a lovely compliment.
Best wishes
Charlotte
She turned him down, huh? Sad. Let this be a lesson to all gentlemen that strength without humility can make you a lonely man. Besides, she can’t be more daft than Jack Sparrow.
In this song/video, I see you more as an actress in a musical telling the audience a story. An actress who can sing..yep. It was funny how you sung, “Na.” 🙂 Like..wow, she just dropped him right there didn’t she.
I don’t think men should take rejection too badly, its best to ask than not ask and wonder what could have been, she may have just had her eye on someone else :).
I chose to study in the Performance academy at my High School and took drama for five years up to 18. I try to get to as many plays and performances at school as possible.
Best wishes
Charlotte
“her eye on someone else”? Who? Where is he? 🙂
😄
This was so very interesting to read while being treated by your lovely voice. What a story!
Thank you!
Thank you Noelle 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Oh my dear! Thank-you so much for the pretty card! I have received your CD and have played it through a couple of times. I love it all but I think my favourites are Rusalka’s Song to the Moon and the beautiful Scots Song by MacMillan. Your voice is really powerful – just right for opera! – but you are also able to sing the gentle Scots Song too. I wish you all the best in your chosen career and hope you are able to save enough money to continue with your training. You work so hard, I really think you deserve to succeed. Clare xx
Thank you Clare 😊
My pleasure!
I believe you have a strong admirer on google+ who’s often posting your pics
I have great friends on G+ I hope you don’t mind me adding you to my circle 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
No problem
Absolutely wonderful as always.
Thank you Ben 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow! I don’t know the first thing about opera, but you sound amazing.
Thank you very much.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Surprising blog! Love the song about the Laird 🙂
And thanks for the ‘follow’…
I like to surprise 😀. Your welcome Nil.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So beautifully sung–and the “Na!” Perfect!
Thanks Dan I’m happy you enjoyed it. 😀
Best wishes
Charlotte
What an enjoyment to listen to you performing while having the lyrics of the song in front of me!I think I could feel the intensity of your voice better,Charlotte Dear!
The story behind the Lady reminded me of “George Eliot” (Mary Ann Evans),in a way …
What a pity she didn’t see her poems published in her own name while still in life …
Have a wonderful day filled with joy and sunshine 🙂 , Doda ღ ღ ღ
Thanks Doda, I thought that was a great pity too.
Best wishes
Charlotte 💜
Beautiful and uplifting song and performance Charlotte ~ a perfect way to end my weekend 🙂
I hope you had a lovely Weekend, we’re celebrating a long Easter weekend here so it’s lovely my parents have a couple of days off work.
Best wishes
Charlotte