A Scots trad song that I first heard sung by the great Aberdeen singer Janice Clark. The Bennachie is an Aberdeenshire hill and the Gadie is its burn (stream).
As I came doon by the Bennachie
A bonnie young lass there I did see
I gie’d her a wink and she smiled tae me
Frae the back o’ Bennachie
Chorus
For there’s meal and there’s ale where the Gadie rins
Wi’ the yellow broom and the bonnie whins
Yes there’s meal and there’s ale where the Gadie rins
At the back o’ Bennachie
And I said tae this lass come sit on my knee
Her kilt it was up aboon her knee
And I said tae this lass wid ye gang wi’ me
Tae the back o’ Bennachie
(Chorus)
And I said tae the lass come put on yer kilt
Yer a gie braw dame and yer gie weel built
Ye’ can wear yer plaid alang wi’ yer kilt
At the back o’ Bennachie
(Chorus)
Aye and when yer mither she comes fir tae ken
We’ll hae tae rin noo frae oor hame
We’ll bide in the heather up in the glen
At the back o’ Bennachie
(Chorus)
And sae here’s tae the lassie o’ Bennachie
I’ll aye gang back fir her tae see
And I’ll bide wi’ my mither until I dee
At the back o’ Bennachie
(Chorus twice round)