Robert Jamieson: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Bobbing John

Robert Jamieson

“Bobbing John” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Jamieson: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Hey for bobbing John!

Kittle up the chanter!

Bang up a strathspey,

To fling wi' John the ranter.

Johnnie's stout an' bald,

Ne'er could thole a banter;

Bein in byre and fauld,

An', lasses, he's a wanter.

Back as braid's a door;

Bowhought like a filly;

Thick about the brawns,

An' o'er the breast and belly.

Hey for bobbing John!

Kittle up the chanter!

Queans are a' gane gyte,

To fling wi' John the ranter.

Bonnie's his black e'e,

Blinkin', blythe, and vogie,

Wi' lassie on his knee,

In his nieve a coggie;

Syne the lad will kiss,

Sweetly kiss an' cuddle;

Cauld wad be' her heart,

That could wi' Johnnie widdle.

Sonse fa' bobbing John;

Want an' wae gae by him;

There's in town nor land

Nae chiel disna envy him.

Flingin' to the pipe,

Bobbing to the fiddle,

Kneif was ilka lass,

That could wi' Johnnie meddle.

Credits

Written by Robert Jamieson

Words by Robert Jamieson. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Bobbing John”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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