Injured fair (1)/The roving maids of Edinburgh

The Roving MAIDS of EDINBURGH.

THE roving maids of Edinburgh,
they are both brisk and airy,
They make young men to laugh at them,
their head so high they carry,
Fal der lal, der ral lal.

Now behold these pretty maids,
as they walk on the causway,
With ruffle-cuffs and capuchins,
and wow but they be saucy.Fal, &c.

With fine net-hoods upon their heads,
each flame a buckling comb O,
Which mounted is with silver bright,
and set with Bristo' stone O.Fal, &c.

Their lockets fine that bright do shine,
a glancing broach below it,
Their bravitie full well we see,
how proud they are to show it.Fal, &c.

With new fashion'd caps of diff'rent sets,
that are so monstrous high O,
Such flairy-gigs upon their heads,
are frightful to the eye O.Fal der, &c.

The other night I got such a fright,
I blest me from all evil,
When a lady came in shining robes,
I thought it was the devil. Fal der. &c.

With a cap more high than grenadiers,
and hair drest in such order,
She appeared like to Marg'ret's ghost,
come from the Stygian border.Fal, &c.

With silken hose and fine pink shoes,
they are all trim'd and ready,
It is not easy for to know
a scogie from a lady.Fal de ral, &c.

There's ladies bright sets out at night,
their sign is a white apron,
All in the dark to seek a spark,
and wha but our miss Katharine.&c.

Some lasses then I do offend,
in telling of their knavery,
For that's the way I'm bold to say,
that you've won all your brav'ry.Fal, &c.

The roving maids of Edinburgh,
when they go to the dancing,
The young men all admire the sport,
they are so neat and handsome.Fal, &c.

It is well kent their face they paint,
they are so vain and idle,
To busk and dress more time they pass,
than they do on their Bible.Fal de, &c.

With muffs and sirls and cardinals,
made of the finest scarlet,
They worn are, I do declare,
by many common harlot.Fal de, &c.

Their quality come show to me,
you'll know them by their cleiding;
Dear neighbours then, I'll tell you plain,
you'll find it by their breeding.Fal, &c.

They curse and swear and domineer,
and swear like any randy,
Their morning drink I really think,
is whilky, gin, or brandy.Fal de, &c.

And if they chance to prove with child,
or lose their reputation,
O then sets up a baudy house,
and that’s their occupation.Fal de, &c.

Such bawds and bullies now turn thus,
observe the dismal story,
By hangy’s hands their lives they end,
and that’s call’d Tyburn’s glory.
Fal der ral, der ral lal.