The Bluebells Of Scotland
Scottish Song By Dora Jordan
The Bluebells Of Scotland (also known as Bluebell or Blue Bells) is a Scottish song written by Dorothea Jordan (also known as Dora or Dorothy) in 1800.Dorothea Bland (1761 - 1816), also known as Mrs Jordan or Mrs FitzClarence, was an English actress, courtesan and the mistress known professionally as Dorothea Francis and Dorothea (Dora) Jordan. She was a long-time companion of Prince William, Duke of Clarence, later William IV, and the mother of ten illegitimate children by him, all of whom took the surname FitzClarence.
Others were happy to claim authorship of The Bluebells Of Scotland, both the words and tune, but substantial evidence links Dora to the composition of this particular song and little evidence exists to refute authorship of the accompanying tune.
It is however most noteworthy that the Scottish poet and author, Mrs Anne Grant of Laggan (1755 - 1838) also wrote a song entitled The Blue Bell Of Scotland with the first line reading "O where, tell me where, is your Highland Laddie gone?".
Mrs Anne Grant subtitled this as having been written "On the Marquis of Huntly's departure for the Continent with his regiment in 1799", slightly predating Dora Jordan's song.
While it is still very difficult to determine for certain who came up with the theme first, Dorothea Jordan's name is far more likely to be seen alongside the title The Bluebells Of Scotland than the Scottish poet and author, Mrs Anne Grant.
As you would expect of such an old, popular song, many versions of both exist and more often than not, you will come across a combination of the two. Time has even seen the title change, most often from Blue Bell to Bluebells.
Early versions of both songs are shown below, along with the sources used.
Related Scottish Country Dances
The Bluebells Of ScotlandThe Blue Bell Of Scotland - Dorothea Bland (Dora Jordan)
The Blue Bell Of Scotland, From Glen Collection of printed music, Printed music, British minstrel, and musical and literary miscellany, page 165.Source https://digital.nls.uk/special-collections-of-printed-music/archive/91440981 under this Creative Commons Licence 4.0.
Oh! where and oh where is your Highland laddie gone?
He's gone to fight the French for King George upon the throne.
And its oh in my Heart I wish him safe at home.
Oh ! where and oh where did your Highland laddie dwell?
He dwelt in merry Scotland at the sign of the blue bell,
And it's oh in my heart I love my lad lie well.
In what clothes, in what clothes is your Highland laddie clad?
His bonnet of the Saxon green, and his waistcoat of the plaid,
And it's oh in my heart I love my Highland lad.
Suppose, and suppose that your Highland lad should die?
The bagpipes should play over him, and I'd sit me down and cry.
And it's oh in my heart I wish he may not die.
The Blue Bell Of Scotland - Mrs Anne Grant of Laggan
The Blue Bell Of Scotland, Inglis Collection of printed music, Thomson's collection of the songs of Burns, Sir Walter Scott and other eminent lyric poets ancient and modern, page 18.Source https://digital.nls.uk/special-collections-of-printed-music/archive/94651656 under this Creative Commons Licence 4.0.
(Written On the Marquis of Huntly's departure for the Continent with his regiment in 1799.)
' Oh where, tell me where, is your Highland Laddie gone?
' O where, tell me where, is your Highland Laddie gone?'
" He's gone with streaming banners, where noble deeds are done,
" And my sad heart will tremble till he come safely home.
" He's gone with streaming banners, where noble deeds are done,
" And my sad heart will tremble, till he come safely home."
' O where, tell me where, did your Highland Laddie stay?
' O where, tell me where, did your Highland Laddie stay?'
" He dwelt beneath the holly trees, beside the rapid Spey,
" And many a blessing follow'd him, the day he went away ;
" He dwelt beneath the holly-trees, beside the rapid Spey,
" And many a blessing follow'd him, the day he went aw'ay."
' O what, tell me what, does your Highland Laddie wear?
' O what, tell me what, does your Highland Laddie wear?'
" A bonnet with a lofty plume, the gallant badge of war,
" And a plaid across the manly breast that yet shall wear a star;
" A bonnet with a lofty plume, the gallant badge of war,
" And a plaid across the manly breast that yet shall wear a star."
' Suppose, ah suppose, that some cruel, cruel wound
' Should pierce your Highland Laddie, and all your hopes confound!'
" The pipe would play a cheering march, the banners round him fly,
" The spirit of a Highland Chief would lighten in his eye;
" The pipe would play a cheering march, the banners round him fly,
" And for his King and Country dear with pleasure he would die.
" But I will hope to see him yet in Scotland's bonny bounds,
" But I will hope to see him yet in Scotland's bonny bounds,
" His native land of liberty shall nurse his glorious wounds,
" While wide through all our Highland hills his warlike name re-sounds.
" His native land of liberty shall nurse his glorious wounds,
" While wide through all our Highland hills his warlike name re-sounds."
The Bluebells Of Scotland Song Video
The Bluebells Of Scotland Song - Information Video
The Blue Bell Of Scotland - Dorothea Bland (Dora Jordan), From Glen Collection Of Printed Music

The Blue Bell Of Scotland - Mrs Anne Grant of Laggan, From Inglis Collection Of Printed Music
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Text from this original Dorothea Jordan article on Wikipedia.
Upper image copyright (cropped) https://digital.nls.uk/special-collections-of-printed-music/archive/91440981 under this Creative Commons Licence 4.0.
Lower image copyright (cropped) https://digital.nls.uk/special-collections-of-printed-music/archive/94651656 under this Creative Commons Licence 4.0.
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