Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Jockey fou, Jenny fain

Traditional

“Jockey fou, Jenny fain” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 205 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

Jockey fou, Jenny fain;

Jenny was na ill to gain:

She was couthie, he was kind;

And thus the wooer tell'd his mind:

Jenny, I'll nae mair be nice;

Gi'e me love at ony price:

I winna prig for red or white,

Love alane can gi'e delyte.

Others seek they kenna what,

In looks, in carriage, and a' that;

Gi'e me love for her I court:

Love in love makes a' the sport.

Let love sparkle in her e'e,

Let her love nae man but me:

That's the tocher-gude I prize;

There the lover's treasure lies.

Colours mingled unco fine,

Common notions lang sinsyne,

Never can engage my love,

Until my fancy first approve.

It is nae meat, but appetite,

That makes our eating a delyte;

Beauty is at best deceit;

Fancy only kens nae cheat.

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, “Jockey fou, Jenny fain”

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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