THE SANDGATE LASS ON THE ROPERY BANKS.

On the Ropery-banks Jenny was sitting— She had on a bed-gown just new, And blithely the lassie was knitting Wi' yarn of a bonny sky-blue. The strings of her cap they were hinging, Se lang, on her shoulders se fine, And hearty I heard this lass singing— My bonny keel lad shall be mine. O wad the keel come down the river, That I my dear laddie could see, He whistles and dances se clever, My bonny keel laddie for me. Last neet, in amang these green dockings, He fed me wi' gingerbread spice— I promis'd to knit him his stockings, He cuddled and kiss'd me se nice; He ca'd me his jewel and hinney, He ca'd me his pet and his bride, And he swore that I should be his Jenny, To lie at neets down by his side. O wad the keel, &c. That morning forget I will never, When first I saw him on the Kee, The 'Keel-row' he whistled se clever, He won my affections frae me; His drawers on his doup luik'd se canny, His keel-hat was cock'd on his head, And if I'd not getten my Jimmy, Faith by this time I wad hae been dead. O wad the keel, &c. The first time I spoke to my Jimmy— Now mind ye, it isn't a lee— My mother had gi'en me a penny, To get her a penn'orth o' tea; When a lad i' the street cried out, 'Bessy!' Says I, 'Hinny, that's not my nyem.' 'Becrike! never mind,' he said, 'lassie, 'To-neet I will see thee safe hyem." O wad the keel, &c. Since then I have been his true-lover, And lov'd him as dear as my life, And in spite o' baith father and mother, I'll suin be my keel-laddie's wife; How happy we'll be then together, When he brings hyem his wages to me, Wiv his bonny bit bairn crying 'Father,' And another be lying o' my knee. O wad the keel, &c.