The Book of Scottish Song/Rigs o' Barley

Rigs o' Barley.

[This was an early production of Burns's, written to the old tune of "Corn Rigs." Annie Ponald, afterwards Mrs. Paterson of Aikenbrae, is said to have been the inspirer of the song.]

It was upon a Lammas night,
When corn rigs are bonnie,
Beneath the moon's unclouded light,
I hied away to Annie:
The time flew by wi' tentless heed,
Till, 'tween the late and early,
Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed,
To see me through the barley.

The sky was blue, the wind was still,
The moon was shining clearly:
I set her down, wi' right good will,
Amang the rigs o' barley:
I ken't her heart was a' my ain:
I lov'd her most sincerely;
I kiss'd her owre and owre again,
Amang the rigs o' barley.

I lock'd her in my fond embrace!
Her heart was beating rarely:
My blessings on that happy place,
Amang the rigs o' barley!
But by the moon and stars sae bright,
That shone that hour sae clearly!
She aye shall bless that happy night,
Amang the rigs o' barley.

I ha'e been blythe wi' comrades dear;
I ha'e been merry drinking;
I ha'e been joyfu' gatherin' gear;
I ha'e been happy thinkin';
But a' the pleasures e'er I saw,
Though three times doubl'd fairly,
That happy night was worth them a',
Amang the rigs o' barley.

Corn rigs, an' barley rigs,
An' corn rigs are bonnie:
I'll ne'er forget that happy night,
Amang the rigs wi' Annie.

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