The Book of Scottish Song/The Jilted Nymph

by Thomas Campbell

The Jilted Nymph.

[Thomas Campbell.—Air, "Woo'd and married an' a'."]

I'm jilted, forsaken, outwitted;
Yet think not I'll whimper or brawl—
The lass is alone to be pitied
Who ne'er has been courted at all:
Never by great or small
Woo'd or jilted at all;
Oh, how unhappy's the lass
Who has never been courted at all!

My brother call'd out the dear faithless;
In fits I was ready to fall,
Till I found a policeman who, scatheless,
Swore them both to the peace at Guildhall;
Seized them, and seconds and all—
Pistols, powder, and ball;
I wish'd him to die my devoted,
But not in a duel to sprawl.

What though at my heart he has tilted,
What though I have met with a fall?
Better be courted and jilted,
Than never be courted at all.
Woo'd and jilted and all,—
Still I will dance at the ball;
And waltz and quadrille with light heart and heel,
With proper young men and tall.

But lately I've met with a suitor,
Whose heart I have gotten in thrall,
And I hope soon to tell you in future
That I'm woo'd and married and all;
Woo'd and married and all,
What greater bliss can befall?
And you all shall partake of my bridal cake,
When I'm woo'd and married and all.

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