The Book of Scottish Song/Bobbing John

Bobbing John.

[Written by Robert Jamieson, and published in his Popular Ballads and Songs, (Edinburgh, 1806.) The tune called "Bobbing John" is an old English one.]

Hey for bobbing John!
Kittle up the chanter!
Bang up a strathspey,
To fling wi' John the ranter.
Johnnie's stout an' bald,
Ne'er could thole a banter;
Bein in byre and fauld,
An', lasses, he's a wanter.

Back as braid's a door;
Bowhought like a filly;
Thick about the brawns,
An' o'er the breast and belly.
Hey for bobbing John!
Kittle up the chanter!
Queans are a' gane gyte,
To fling wi' John the ranter.

Bonnie's his black e'e,
Blinkin', blythe, and vogie,
Wi' lassie on his knee,
In his nieve a coggie;
Syne the lad will kiss,
Sweetly kiss an' cuddle;
Cauld wad be' her heart,
That could wi' Johnnie widdle.

Sonse fa' bobbing John;
Want an' wae gae by him;
There's in town nor land
Nae chiel disna envy him.
Flingin' to the pipe,
Bobbing to the fiddle,
Kneif was ilka lass,
That could wi' Johnnie meddle.

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