William Paul: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Bonnie Jeannie Gray

William Paul

“Bonnie Jeannie Gray” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

William Paul: 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

Oh whar was ye sae late yestreen,

My bonnie Jeannie Gray?

Your mither miss'd you late at e'en,

And eke at break o' day.

Your mither look'd sae sour and sad,

Your father dull and wae,

Oh! whar was ye sae late yestreen,

My bonnie Jeannie Gray?

I've mark'd that lanely look o' thine,

My bonnie Jeannie Gray;

I've kent your kindly bosom pine,

This monie, monie day.

Ha'e hinnied words o' promise lur'd

Your guileless heart astray?

O! dinna hide your grief frae me,

My bonnie Jeannie Gray.

Dear sister, sit ye down by me,

And let nae body ken;

For I ha'e promis'd late yestreen

To wed young Jamie Glen;

The melting tear stood in his e'e,

What heart could say him nay?

As aft he vow'd, through life, I'm thine,

My bonnie Jeannie Gray.

Credits

Written by William Paul

Words by William Paul. 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, “Bonnie Jeannie Gray”

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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