The Braes of Yarrow (1820, Edinburgh)/The Birth of May
THE BIRTH OF MAY.
When rural lads and lasses gay,
Proclaim’d the birth of rosy May,
When round the maypole on the green,
The rustic dancers all were seen;
Twas there young Jockey met my view,
His like before I never knew;
He pip'd so sweet and danc'd so gay,
Alas! he danc,d my heart away
Proclaim’d the birth of rosy May,
When round the maypole on the green,
The rustic dancers all were seen;
Twas there young Jockey met my view,
His like before I never knew;
He pip'd so sweet and danc'd so gay,
Alas! he danc,d my heart away
At eve when cakes and ale went round,
He plac’d him next me on the ground;
With harmless mirth and pleasing jest,
He shone more bright than all the rest:
He talk’d of love, and press’d my hand.
Ah who could such a youth withstand?
Well pleas’d I heard what he could say,
Alas! he stole my heart away.
He plac’d him next me on the ground;
With harmless mirth and pleasing jest,
He shone more bright than all the rest:
He talk’d of love, and press’d my hand.
Ah who could such a youth withstand?
Well pleas’d I heard what he could say,
Alas! he stole my heart away.
He often heav'd a tender sigh,
While rapture sparkled in his eye;
So winning was his grace and air,
He might the coldest heart ensnare:
But when he ask’d me for his bride,
I promis’d soon and soon comply’d,
What nymph on earth could say him nay?
Alas! he stole my heart away.
While rapture sparkled in his eye;
So winning was his grace and air,
He might the coldest heart ensnare:
But when he ask’d me for his bride,
I promis’d soon and soon comply’d,
What nymph on earth could say him nay?
Alas! he stole my heart away.