Jenny lass, my bonny bird/The Minister's Maid's Courtship

Jenny lass, my bonny bird (1806)
The Minister's Maid's Courtship
3171890Jenny lass, my bonny bird — The Minister's Maid's Courtship1806

THE

MINISTER MAID’s COURTSHIP,

WHEN I was a bonny wee lassie,
I lived by yon river tide;
A benny wie laddie courted me,
for to make me his bride;
My master being one of the Clergy,
I kentna we'l how to do;
But I courted ay wi' my laddie,
and pleas'd the Minister to.

We waited a' opportunities,
ay when they were frae hame:
We kiss'd and clapped each other!
so merry as we were then,
So merry as we were then,
our vows for to renew;
So ay I courted my laddie,
and pleas’d the Minister too.

It was on a fine simmer evening,
I went out for to meet with my lad,
He took me into his arms,
our hearts being wond’rous glad!
And what came o' me then
ye need na believe me now;
But ay I courted' my laddie,
and pleas'd the Minister too

When I came hame to my mistress,
she scolded and she flet;
Says; where have you been wa'king,
that ye have stay d sae late?
That ye have stay d sae late,
your master I will tell.
Thinks I, madam, ye need na fash,
for I’ll ha c to do that mysel'.

But I keepet ay up my courage,
and made na muckle din
And my laddie came ay and saw me,
ay's he gaed out and in,
And ay s he gaed out and in,
ay he pried my mou',
So ay I courted my laddie,
and pleas'd the Minister too.

But when the simm'r was over,
O pale and wan grew I!
Like ane risen out o' a fever,
or ane just gaun to die!
My master he came an' asked me
what was the matter wi' me!
If I knew anything that would ease me,
at my comman' it should be.

Oh! I maun own my crime.
tho it be to my shame and disgrace,
I went out for to meet wi' the lad,
the lad that gi es out your mass?
His voice it was too shrill,
he pitch d o'er high for me;
And ay sin' syne I remember
that I been likein' to die.

Then my laddie was sent for,
and he came hingin' his mou';
Says Mess John, had you been a good bairn,
we wadna h'e sent for you:
My lassie is lyin' sick,
an' on you she lays a' the blame
An' ye ken ony way ye've wrang‘d her,
ye'll raise her as speedy again.

O I never harm'd your lassie,
neither by night nor by day;
But it was on a fine simmer evening,
when crossing o er the way.
When crossing o'er the way,
I learn'd her how to sing,
And pitching the high notes of bangor,
has driven her a' out o tune

Be pleas'd to mary your lassie
O marry your lassie to me!
For I'm resolv'd to ha'e her,
whether she live or die,
Whether she live or die,
to make her my wedded wife:
So I'll live with my lassie .
a sweet and contented life.


FINIS.


This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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