CXXXIV.
Reading edition
LADY MARY ANN.
Tune—“Craigtown’s growing.”
[The poet sent this song to the Museum, in his own handwriting: yet part of it is believed to be old; how much cannot be well known, with such skill has he made his interpolations and changes.]
I.
O, Lady Mary Ann Looks o’er the castle wa’, She saw three bonnie boys Playing at the ba’; The youngest he was The flower amang them a’— My bonnie laddie’s young, But he’s growin’ yet.
II.
O father! O father! An’ ye think it fit, We’ll send him a year To the college yet: We’ll sew a green ribbon Round about his hat, And that will let them ken He’s to marry yet.
III.
Lady Mary Ann Was a flower i’ the dew, Sweet was its smell, And bonnie was its hue; And the langer it blossom’d The sweeter it grew; For the lily in the bud Will be bonnier yet.
IV.
Young Charlie Cochran Was the sprout of an aik; Bonnie and bloomin’ And straught was its make: The sun took delight To shine for its sake, And it will be the brag O’ the forest yet.
V.
The simmer is gane, When the leaves they were green, And the days are awa, That we hae seen; But far better days I trust will come again, For my bonnie laddie’s young, But he’s growin’ yet.