Annotation:I Have a Bonnet Trimmed with Blue (2)
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I HAVE A BONNET TRIMMED WITH BLUE [2]. Scottish, Polka. D Major ('A', 'B', 'C' and 'F' parts) & G Major ('D' and 'E' parts). Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCCDDEEFF. A variation of version #1. Jack Campin suggests the polka started as a World War I vintage tune called "Liberton Polka (The)", picked up by pipers, which became attached to an older tune called "Kilberry Ball (The)" to make up the modern four-part tune called “I Have a Bonnet Trimmed with Blue.” It is a regimental march of the Royal Scots. See version "I Have a Bonnet Trimmed with Blue (1)" for various lyrics, all rather simple. Soldiers of the first World War had their own set of words to the melody, famously and cynically entitled "Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire":
If you want to see the general, I know where he is,
I know where he is, I know where he is;
If you want to see the general, I know where he is,
He's pinning another medal on his chest.
I saw him, I saw him,
Pinning another medal on his chest, I saw him,
Pinning another medal on his chest.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Martin (Ceol na Fidhle), vol. 1, 1991; p. 48.
Recorded sources: