Charlie Is My Darling (song)

"Charlie Is My Darling" is the title of a number of traditional Scots songs.

The first is attributed variously to James Hogg or Carolina Oliphant (Lady Nairne). A second later song of the same name is attributed to Charles Gray.

All known versions of the song refer to the figure of Bonnie Prince Charlie of Scotland (Charles Edward Stuart).

The earlier versions focus on Charles as a patriotic hero of Scotland during the Jacobite revolts of the 18th century, and it describes the arrival of Charles, referred to as "the Young Chevalier", to the Highlands, being received with joy and celebration by the townspeople, who came to his encounter while playing Scottish music and wearing traditional attires, the men getting ready to leave their houses and families to join the revolution.

A later version of the song by Robert Burns contains lyrics that mean to poke fun at Charles' womanizing reputation. Burns' version of the lyrics are, in comparison to the earlier ones, considered to be fairly risquée for the times, with a narrative that alludes to the amorous adventures of Charles with the Scottish women of the towns he visits during his battles.

Eddi Reader has recorded a popular version of this one on her highly regarded CD of Burns' songs.

There is an arrangement by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Charlie is my darling", WoO. 157 (12 songs of various nationalities) no. 3 (1819).

The song is considered to be one of the best known art pieces to represent the Jacobite movements of Scotland. It has also been adapted during the American Civil War as 'Johny is my Darling', a variation on Charlie.

Modern adaptations
Roger Quilter's setting of the Burns version of the song was included in the Arnold Book of Old Songs, published in 1950.

The song was also parodied on BBC Radio Scotland, by comedy group Flying Pig Productions in their show Desperate Fishwives. The title was switched to "Darling is a Charlie", referring to the trials and tribulations of the then current (2008–2010) Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling.

Another parody of the song is heard in the "Charlie X" episode of the classic series Star Trek, in which Lt. Uhura sings a special version (with lyrics adapted to the plot) as Mr. Spock accompanies her on the Vulcan lyre.

The title was used by the Rolling Stones in their 1966 documentary Charlie Is My Darling. The lyrics to this song were changed by composer Dimitri Tiomkin and featured in the 1950 movie called "Dakota Lil"; it was given the Jazz treatment and sung by Anita Ellis, who dubbed for actress Marie Windsor, who played the title lead.

The song is also in the educational computer game The Oregon Trail, where it is featured at Soda Springs as the song which plays there, as each location of note has an accompanying song.

The tune has also been used to introduce Charles Hawtrey, when he enters a scene in the movie Carry On Camping.