Wild Mountain Thyme

"Wild Mountain Thyme," sometimes known as "Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?" is a popular traditional song of Scottish origin. It's a wonderful tune that has been arranged many times. In this version, a penny whistle and fiddle kick off a rather laid back 2-beat accompaniment. The music is notated for guitar in E major. If you are accompanying live with guitar you might choose to capo up a couple of frets and play in D major. It's easier to play. On the recording, each verse adds new folk instruments, a mandolin here, a banjo there, to the foundational drums, bass, folk guitar, and piano. With each verse, the song picks up steam so that by the third verse you have a pleasant "tap your toes" thing going.

This is a 2-part arrangement. However it works as well if you just want to perform part 1. The second part starts out under the melody but meanders up over the top as the melody gets lower. It's fun to sing that second part. And don't be afraid to lean toward a Scottish accent when singing. The lyrics really lend themselves to it.

An isolated rehearsal track for part 2 can be found online. (See details on page 62.)