Do you refer to my doggeral or the tune to Craigie-lee composed in 1806 which then travelled the world until nearly a century later it was used to Banjo Patterson's poem? Waltzing Matilda went on to be sung by millions around the world and is probably better known than your "Stars & Stripes".

As you are not specific as to which adaptation of Craigee-lee you refer to I cannot fully respond but can only assume that you are being sarcastic.

Thou Bonnie Wood o' Craigielea

The earliest extant printing of Craigielea, the song that the melody of Waltzing Matilda is based upon, is in the Glasgow University Library, and was printed in 1818. The proper spelling of Craigielea is 'Craigielee', but as the '-lea' spelling was the one used in Australia when Banjo Paterson and Christina MacPherson wrote the song.

[waltzingmatilda.com.au]

In TANNAHILL'S POEMS AND SONGS with LIFE and NOTES by DAVID SEMPLE F.S.A (Paisley: Alex Gardner - 1874) (Glasgow Univ. Library SP.COLL Hepburn 310) is the following information about Craigielea.

This song first appeared in the Glasgow Nightingale of 1806, page 75, and is titled "Bonny Wood of Craigie-lee"... (the Glasgow Nightingale...was a collection of songs called the Nightingale or Songsters' Magazine - a choice collection of Scots, Irish and English songs - published at Glasgow by A & J Leslie, booksellers 58 Gallowgate, in 1806. The 18 mo. volume consisted of 224 pges and contained 198 songs. Tannahill contributed 27 (13% or 1/5th of the whole collection) of these, 6 had previously appeared in Maver's....)

BONNIE WOOD O’ CRAIGIELEE**



Set to music by Mr James Barr*



Thou bonnie wood o Craigielee

Thou bonnie wood o Craigielee

Near thee I pass’d life's early day

An won my Mary's heart in thee



The brume, the briar, the birken bush

Blume bonnie o'er  thy flow ery lea;

An a the sweets that one can wish

Frae Nature's hand are strewed on thee

(CHORUS)



Far ben ‘thy dark green plantin's shade

The cushat*** crooddles am'rously

The mavis, doon thy buchted glade

Gars echo ring frae ev'ry tree



Awa, ye thochtless, murd'rin gang,

Wha tear the nestlin’s ere they flee

They'll sing you yet a canty sang

Then, oh!, in pity let them be!

A____A castle ruin in Scotland.

Image ___Copyright©1996 A. Partington All Rights Reserved Used by permission.
When winter blaws in sleety showers

Frae off the Norlan hills sae hie

He lichtly skiffs thy bonnie bow'rs

As laith tae harm a flow'r in thee



Though fate should drag me south the line

Or o'er the wide Atlantic sea

The happy hours I'll ever min'

That I, in youth, hae spent in thee.

*Note by R.A.Smith in the "Harp of Renfrewshire" p.xxxvii - "The music to 'Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigielee' was composed by 'Blythe Jamie Barr frae Saint Barchan's toun.' It does the author great credit. It is a pleasing and natural melody, and has become most deservedly a great favourite over the West Kintra side. I think this little ballad possesses considerable merit - (esp) the last stanza...

**Note by Ramsay - "The scenery, here so finely described, lies to the north west of Paisley. Since Tannahill's time it's beauty has been impaired by gas works...

Estate of Ferguslie - no place called Craigielee until Tannahill invented that name, 1st appeared in print in the Nightingale, and in the first edition of his songs in 1807.

There was a mailing on the Ferguslie estate called Craigs, from the rocks abounding on it. That name the author softened into Craigilee. (Proper spelling - Craigielee; not 'lea'

At the Foot of King street, along the Blackston Road, on the Ferguslie estate, 5 minutes from Tannahill's residence; No.6 Queen Street, Paisley.

The wood has been cut down now.

***woodpigeon