Love Songs (1825-1826)/Jamie Gay

JAMIE GAY.

As Jamie Gay gaed blithe his way,
Along the banks of Tweed,
A bonny lass as ever was,
Came tripping o'er the mead.
The hearty swain, untaught to feign,
The buxom nymph survey'd,
And full of glee, as lad could be,
Bespoke the blooming maid.

Dear lassie, tell, why by thysell
Thou lonely wanders't here?
My ewes, she cry'd, are straying wide;
Canst tell me, laddie, where?
To town I hie, he made reply,
Some pleasing sport to see;
But thou'st so neat, so trim, so sweet,
I'll seek thy ewes with thee.

She gave her hand, nor made a stand;
But lik'd the youth's intent;
O'er hill and dale, o'er plain and vale,
Right merrily they went.
The birds sang sweet the pair to greet,
And flow'rets bloom'd around,
And as they walk'd, of love they talk'd.
And lover's joys when crown'd.

And now the sun had rose to noon,
The zenith of his pow'r.
When to the shade their steps they made,
To pass the mid-day hour.
The bonny lad row'd in his plaid
The lass, who scorned to frown;
She soon forgot the ewes she sought,
And he to gang to town.