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Rigs o Barley / Corn Rigs

[ Roud 32476 ; Ballad Index DTcornri ; DT CORNRIGS ; Mudcat 32380 ; Robert Burns]

Magnet sang Corn Rigs in the 1973 British horror film Wicker Man. This track was also included in 2020 on the Grapefruit/Cherry Red anthology Sumer Is Icumen In.

Jean Redpath and Rod Paterson sang Corn Rigs on Donand Campbell’s 1986 BBC programme and their 1989 BBC album The Miller’s Reel of the songs ond stories of Robert Burns.

Emily Smith sang Robert Burns’ song Rigs o Barley in 2002 on her Foot Stompin’ CD A Day Like Today. She noted:

This is one of Robert Burns’ most well known songs. Given a new melody by Jamie [McClennan] and a tune by Ross [Ainslie] the song has been given a new lease of life but the sentiment remains the same.

Alvarius B sang Corn Rigs on the 2023 reimagination of the Wicker Man soundtrack, Ballads of Seduction, Fertility and Ritual Slaughter.

Lyrics

Emily Smith sings Rigs o Barley

It was upon a Lammas night when corn rigs are bonnie o
Beneath the moon’s unclouded light I held awa tae Annie o
The time flew by wi’ tentless heid ’til ’tween the late and early o
Wi’ sma’ persuasion she agreed tae see me through the barley o

The sky was blue, the wind was still and the moon was shinin’ clearly o
I set her doon wi’ right good will amang the rigs o’ barley o
I kent her heart wis a’ my ain an’ I loved her most sincerely o
I kissed her o’er an’ o’er again amang the rigs o’ barley o

Chorus (twice after each verse):
Corn rigs an’ barley rigs, corn rigs are bonnie
I’ll ne’er forget that happy night amang the rigs wi’ Annie o

I locked her in my fond embrace and her heart was beatin’ rarely o
Ma blessin’s on that happy place amang the rigs o’ barley o
But by the moon and stars so bright that shone that hour so clearly o
She aye shall bless that happy night amang the rigs o’ barley o

I hae been blithe wi’ comrades dear and I hae been merry drinkin’ o
I hae been joyful gatherin’ fear and I hae been merry thinkin’ o
But a’ the pleasures e’er I saw though three times doubled fairly o
That happy night was worth them a’ amang the rigs o’ barley o