Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Johnnie and Mary

Traditional

“Johnnie and Mary” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 213 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

Down the burn and through the mead,

His golden locks wav'd o'er his brow;

Johnnie lilting, tun'd his reed,

And Mary wip'd her bonnie mou':

Dear she loo'd the well known song.

While her Johnnie, blythe and bonnie,

Sung her praise the whole day long.

Down the burn and through the mead,

His golden locks wav'd o'er his brow,

Johnnie lilting, tun'd his reed,

And Mary wip'd her bonnie mou'.

Costly claiths she had but few;

Of rings and jewels nae great store;

Her face was fair, her love was true,

And Johnnie wisely wish'd nae more:

Love's the pearl the shepherds prize;

O'er the mountain, near the fountain,

Love delights the shepherd's eyes.

Down the burn, &c.

Gold and titles give not health,

And Johnnie could nae these impart;

Youthfu' Mary's greatest wealth,

Was still her faithfu' Johnnie's heart:

Sweet the joys the lovers find,

Great the treasure, sweet the pleasure,

Where the heart is always kind.

Down the burn, &c.

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, “Johnnie and Mary”

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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