Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

A Lassie Fair

Traditional

“A Lassie Fair” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 9 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

A Lassie fair—the deil-may-care—

Ance lichtlied me and a' that,

And though I'm poor, you may be sure,

I didna like to claw that;

For a' that, and a' that,

I'm hearty still for a' that,

I gat the slight, I took it light,

And that's the way to thraw that.

Gif they should nick you wi' this trick,

Ne'er break your heart and a' that,

Just glower about, you'll find ane out,

Will ease your pain and a' that;

And a' that, and a' that,

Your sighs and sabs, and a' that,

Sae never dwine about ae quean,

There's plenty yet for a' that!

Nane but a fool spurns nature's rule,

To love and wed, and a' that;

Or gin a lass to him proves fause,

Tak's to his bed, and a' that;

And a' that, and a' that,

Nae doctor's drugs, and a' that,

Will ever prove a cure for love,

Like kiss again, and a' that!

Gif I can find ane to my mind,

My heart and hand, and a' that,

To her I'll gi'e, baith frank and free,

They're my delight for a' that;

For a' that, and a' that;

They're dear to me, for a' that,

I lo'e them still, and ever will,

Though ane did jilt, and a' that.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. 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, “A Lassie Fair”

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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