The Book of Scottish Song/Within a mile of Edinburgh
Within a mile of Edinburgh.
[This is an improved version of an old song supposed to have been written by Tom D'Urfey, towards the close of the 17th century, and entitled "'Twas within a furlong of Edinborough town." The old air is to be found in Oswald's collection: the air now in use is the composition of Mr. James Hook, father of the late Theodore Hook. The words here given are from the first volume of Johnson's Museum, 1787.]
'Twas within a mile of Edinburgh town,
In the rosy time of the year;
Sweet flowers bloom'd, and the grass was down,
And each shepherd woo'd his dear.
Bonnie Jocky, blythe and gay,
Kiss'd sweet Jenny, making hay,
The lassie blush'd, and frowning, cried, "No, no, it will not do;
I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too."
Jocky was a wag that never would wed,
Though long he had followed the lass:
Contented she earned and eat her brown bread,
And merrily turn'd up the grass.
Bonnie Jocky, blythe and free,
Won her heart right merrily:
Yet still she blush'd, and frowning, cried, "No, no, it will not do;
I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too."
But when he vow'd he would make her his bride,
Though his flocks and herds were not few,
She gave him her hand, and a kiss beside,
And vow'd she'd for ever be true.
Bonnie Jocky, blythe and free,
Won her heart right merrily:
At church she no more frowning cried, "No, no, it will not do;
I cannot, cannot, wonnot, wonnot, mannot buckle too."