The Bony lad/The Roving Maids of Aberdeen

THE

ROVING MAIDS OF ABERDE

The roving maids of Aberdeen,
they are so brisk and airy,
They make the young men laugh at them,
their heads so high they carry.
Fal-de-ral-lal-de-ral.

Now to behold these pretty maids,
as they walk on the causey,
With ruffle cuffs and capuchines,
and w w but they be saucy.

With fine net-hoods upon their heads,
each dame a buckling-comb O,
Which mounted is with silver bright,
and set with Bristo’-stone'O.

Their lockets fine, that bright do shine,
a glancing broach below it;
Their bravery full well you fee,
how proud they are to show it.

With new-fashion caps of different shapes,
that are so monstrous high O!
Suoh florey piggs, upon their heads,
are frightful to the eye O!

The other night I got such fright,.
I bless'd from all evil,
When a lady came in shining robes,
I thought it was the Devil!

With a cap more high than granad
and hair drest in such order
She appeared like sweet Marg’ret’s ghosf
Coin’d from the Stygian border.

With silken hose, and fine pink shoes,
they are all trim’d and ready ;
It is not easy for to know
a scodgie by a lady.

There’s lasses bright turns out at night,
their sign is a white apron ;
All in the dark to seek a spark,
and wha but our Miss Kathrine.

Some lasses then, I do offend,
in telling of your knavery,
For that’s the way, I’m bold to fay,
that you’ve won all your bravery,

The roving maids of Aberdeen,
when they go to the dancing,
The young men all admire the sport.
they are so neat and handsome.

It is well kent, their face they paint,
they are so vain and idle;
To bulk and dress, more time they pass,
than they do on their Bible.

With muffs and frils, and cardinals,
made of the finest scarlet,
They worn are, I do declare,
by many a common harlot.

Their qualitie, come show to me,
you’ll not know’t by their cleeding,
Dear neighbour, then, I’ll tell you plain,
you’ll find it by their breeding.

They curse and swear, and dominier,
and scold like any randy ;
Their morning drink, I really think,
is whisky, gin or brandy.

And if they chance to prove with child,
or lose their reputation,
O then sets up a tipling-house,
and that’s their occupation.

Such conduct leads from whores to thieves
but ’mark the dismal story!
By hangy’s hands their lives they end,
and that’s call’d Tyburn’s glory.
Fal-de-ral-lal de-ral.

FINIS.