The Book of Scottish Song/The Lass o' Netherlee

The Lass o’ Netherlee.

[Netherlee is four miles south-west of Glasgow.]

Auld farran' cantie bodie,
Cam' ye frae the Netherlee?
Auld farran' cantie bodie,
Did you there my lassie see?

Kind, an' blythe, an' sweet as onie,
Fairer never can ye see;
In face an' form my lassie's bonnie,
Dimpled love sits in her e'e.
Auld farran', &c.

Hair like the mornin's gouden beam,
On the tapmaist mountain hie;
An' oh! whan dressd in tartan sheen,
Beauty's power is ill to dree.
Auld farran', &c.

Her lips wad mak' the cherry blush
Deeper red—though red it be;
An' weel like I the dew to brush
Frae her lips sae sweet an' wee.
Auld farran', &c.

But sawna ye the lassie then,
Through the wood or owre the lea?
Though ye're the wale o' cantiest men,
To seek her quickly maun I flee.
Fare ye weel then, funnie bodie!
Whan ye ca' 't the Netherlee,
Spier for me, auld fairan' bodie,
Then the lassie dear ye'll see.

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