The Flowers of Knaresborough Forest

But now they are moaning, on ilka green loaning The Flowers of the Forest are a’ wede away. Jane Elliot (1727-1805).

O! day-time is weary, an’ dark o’ dusk dreary For t’ lasses i’ t’ mistal, or rakin’ ower t’ hay; When t’ kye coom for strippin’, or t’ yowes for their clippin’, We think on our sowdiers now gone reet away. The courtin’-gate’s idle, nae lad flings his bridle Ower t’ yak-stoup,^[1] an’ sleely cooms seekin’ his may; The trod by the river is green as a sliver,^[2] For the Flowers o’ the Forest have all stown away. At Marti’mas hirin’s, nae ribbins, nae tirin’s, When t’ godspenny’s^[3] addled, an’ t’ time’s coom for play; Nae Cheap-Jacks, nae dancin’, wi’ t’ teamster’ clogs prancin , The Flowers o’ the Forest are all flown a way. When at neet church is lowsin’, an’ t’ owd ullet is rousin’ Hissel i’ our laithe,^[4] wheer he’s slummered all t’ day, Wae’s t’ heart! but we misses our lads’ saftest kisses, Now the Flowers o’ the Forest are gone reet away. Ploo-lads frae Pannal have crossed ower the Channel, Shipperds frae Fewston have taen the King’s pay, Thackrays frae Dacre have sold ivery acre; Thou’ll finnd ne’er a delver^[5] frae Haverah to Bray. When t’ north wind is howlin’, an’ t’ west wind is yowlin’, It’s for t’ farm lads at sea that us lasses mun pray; Tassey-Will o’ t’ new biggin, keepin’ watch i’ his riggin , Lile Jock i’ his fo’c’sle, torpedoed i’ t’ bay. Mony a lass now is weepin’ for her marrow that’s sleepin’, Wi’ nae bield for his corp but the cowd Flanthers clay; He’ll ne’er lift his limmers,^[6] he’ll ne’er wean his gimmers^[7]: Ay, there’s Flowers o’ the Forest are withered away.