Songs

O can ye sew cushions?

by Benjamin Britten

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Text

O can ye sew cushions?
English source: Robert Burns

O can ye sew cushions? And can ye sew sheets?
And can ye sing ballooloo when the bairn greets?
And hee and haw birdie, and hee and haw lamb;
And hee and haw, birdie, my bonnie wee lamb!

Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?
Black's the life that I lead wi' you;
Mony o' ye, little for to gie you.
Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?

I biggit the cradle upon the treetop,
And aye as the wind blew, my cradle did rock.
O hush a baw baby, o ba lil li loo,
And hee and baw, birdie, my bonnie wee doo.

Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?
Black's the life that I lead wi' you;
Mony o' ye, little for to gie you.
Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?

Composer

Benjamin Britten

Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976) was an English composer, conductor and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British classical music, with a range of works including opera, other vocal music,…

Poet

Robert Burns

Robert Burns , also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the…

Performances

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