Peggy Bawn.
As I came o'er the highland hills,
To a farmer's house I came,
The night being dark, and something wet,
I ventur’d into the same.
When I was kindly treated,
And a pretty lass I spied.
Who asked me if I had a wife,
But marriage I denied.
I courted her the lee lang night,
Till near the dawn of day
When frankly she to me did say,
Alang with you I'll gae;
For Ireland is a fine country,
And the Scots to you are kin,
So I will gang alang with you,
My fortune to begin.
Day being come, and breakfast o'er,
To the parlour I wat ta‘en;
The gude man kindly asked me,
if I'd marry his daughter Jean.
Five hundred marks I'll give her,
Besides a piece of land;
But scarcely had he spoke the word,
Till I thought on Peggy Bawn.
Your offer, Sir, is very good,
And I thank you too, said I;
But I cannot be your son-law,
And I'll tell you the reason why:
My business calleth me in haste,
I am the king's servant bound,
And I must gang awa this day,
Straight to Edinburgh town.
Oh Peggy Bawn, thou art my own,
Thy heart lies in my breast,
And tho’ we at a distance are,
Yet I love thee best.
Altho' we at a distance are,
And the seas between us roar,
Yet I’ll be constant, Peggy Bawn,
To thee for evermore.