I think it is a Scottish tune because Groundskeeper Willie told me it was
quote:
Originally posted by groundhogpeggyLet's hear your "template," lol for this tune.
I wouldn't change anything stylistically in the recording I posted that I especially liked.
On a different note, I've noticed that there are variations in the lyrics pertaining to the verb used in relation to the thyme; I've heard "put," "pull," and "pluck," and there may be others. The first one doesn't make sense to me (why would you be putting thyme around the heather?). The other two make more sense (I understand them to mean that the thyme is being gathered in an area where there's heather). I haven't seen a copy of the original lyrics, so I'm not sure which was there first. I think I incline more toward "pluck" because "pull" makes me think of weeds that would be removed as a nuisance.
Interesting. I just posted a similar observation about differences in Irish vs American language in the Speed the Plough vs Speed of the Plow tune. Yeah...I think I wouldn't call picking anything to be used as herbs or foods "Plucking;" for me, plucking is more like taking feathers off of a bird or something. Pulling is what I would call something like roots...pull up taters or turnips or something. Thyme being an above-ground green...my first choice would be "Pick." But pick is just not poetic at all...lol...it's sort of a crass-sounding word. But I pick herbs and veggies...not pluck, not pull. I think when I've sung it I've always used "Pull." Seems that's just how I always heard it.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Fiddle Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
