Keys of love (1790)/The lass of Gallowater
The LASS of GALLOWATER.
To its own proper Tune.
ON Gallowater fair and clear,
there lives a lovely creature,
Whose beauty rare makes her excel,
all other works of nature.
I fix'd my mind on this lovely dame,
determin'd never to alter;
But like a false deluding fair,
I found her love but flatter.
My love she lives upon a hill,
it's all grown o'er with heather,
Come tie the creel upon my back,
some berries for to gather.
Come fill the creel come fill it well,
see that it lake no berries,
For a man that loves his mistress well,
he will her always cherish.
Some people say, that I am rude,
and in me there's no wisdom;
But believe me now, I'll tell you true,
I'll be a loving husband.
Our ministers and clergymen,
they speak for gain and treasure,
The man that loves his misstress well,
he'll wait upon her leisure.
I'll come to-night when the moon shines bright,
because thou art my deary:
A man that loves his mistress well,
no travel makes him weary.
Down in yon garden there are bees,
sand below their hive there's honey,
The man that loves his mistress well,
he values not her money.
I know thy friends are using means,
on purpose to dissuade you,
Thinking to get a better match,
but fortune may beguile you.
Why do'st thou think my pretty pink,
but I can live without thee,
Now since it be, I'll let you see,
that you may look about ye.
So fare you well my dearest dear,
my blessing ay go with you,
I'll come no more to your bow'r door,
for to tell you that I love you.
You've been so free in telling me,
that you've not a-mind to marry,
I'll be so free in telling thee,
that I have no time to tarry.
You lovers who a-courting go,
pray take this for a warning,
Let Cupid no advantage take,
of your reason to disarm you.
For Peggy's smiles my heart inflames,
my breast did burn like fire,
But since it's so, I'll let her go,
from henceforth I’ll defy her.
So here's a health to the bonny lass,
whose cheeks are like the roses;
The finest flowers will soonest fade,
when they are set in posies.
It's heav'n's decree it must not be,
therefore I will resign her;
Some other maid will grace my bed,
for wedlock more inclining.