Dumbarton's Drums


Dumbarton's Drums is a traditional Scottish song.
There are three versions—the most popular is this one:
Dumbarton’s Drums
Chorus
Dumbarton's drums they sound sae bonnie

And they remind me o' my Johnnie,

Such fond delight doth steal upon me

When Johnnie kneels and kisses me.
Across the fields o' boundin' heather

Dumbarton tolls the hour of pleasure,

A song of love that's without measure

When Johnnie sings his sangs tae me.
Chorus
'Tis he alone that can delight me

His rovin' eye, it doth invite me,

And when his tender arms enfold me

The blackest night doth turn and flee.



Chorus
My Johnnie is a handsome laddie

And though he is Dumbarton's caddie,

Some day I'll be a captain's lady

When Johnnie tends his vows tae me.



Chorus
There is a male version, with "Johnnie" changed to "Jeannie" and the last verse omitted, which has been recorded by The Corries''.
However the original version as collected and recorded by Burns is to a different tune, a brisk march which was recorded by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir. It also has different words which were the basis for the popular song.
"Dumbarton's Drums" is the march of The Royal Scots, but this is a quick march, a different tune from the folk song.