Jamie Gay

As Jamie Gay gang'd blythe his way,

Along the banks of Tweed;

A bonny lass, as ever was,

Came tripping o'er the mead:

The hearty swain, untaught to feign,

The buxom nymph survey'd:

And full of glee, as lad could be,

Bespake the pretty maid.

Dear lassy, tell, why by thinesell

Thou hast'ly wand'rest here?

My ewes, she cry'd, are straying wide;

Can'st tell me, laddy, where?

To town I'll hie, he made reply,

Some meikle sport to see;

But thou'rt so sweet, so trim and neat,

I'll seek the ewes with thee.

She gae'm her hand, nor made a stand,

But lik'd the youth's intent;

O'er hill and dale, o'er plain and vale,

Right merrily they went;

The birds sang sweet the pair to greet,

And flowers bloom'd around;

And as they walk'd, of love they talk'd,

And joys which lovers crown'd.

And now the sun had rose to noon,

(The zenith of his pow'r,)

When to a shade their steps they made,

To pass the mid-day hour:

The bonny lad row'd in his plaid,

The lass who scorn'd to frown;

She soon forgot the ewes she sought.

And he to gang to town.