Three Songs (Edinburgh)/The Constant Shepherd, etc./The Constant Shepherd

For other versions of this work, see Traquire Shepherd.

For works with similar titles, see Constant Shepherd.

The Constant Shepherd.

O Shepherd the weather is misty and changing,
Will you now show me over the hills to Traquire?
O yes, gentle shepherd, where have you been ranging?
 To see such a gentleman walking is rare.
I've been at the forest among the young lasses
 I've sung with the shepherds on ilka green hill
But now I'm resolv'd to give over my roving,
 For of every thing I have had my will.
I'm afraid you have left some young lassie a mourning:
 You're the finest young gentleman ever I saw
Your eyes are like diamonds, your hair's like the gowan,
 I fear you and them have been breaking the law.
O gentle shepherd have you got a wife yet;
 Or do you live single, come tell me the truth!
For if you live single, you're sure to be happy.
 The blooming young lasses are in such a routh
I'm single, for all the fair maids in the forest.
 I mind them no more than the leaf on the tree,
But one prett y girl to whom I have promis'd
 I'll marry as soon as my stock it is free.
She's charming and pretty, she's both young and witty,
 She's just like a swan new fallen in a pool;
She's charming and pretty, she'll soon make me happy,
 I've lov'd her since ever I was at the school.
O shepherd you're foolish to bind to a woman,
 Believe me, you'll rue it, and that very soon
For if she proves constant, you'll scarce find another,
 You'll scarce find another under the moon;
For me I am no ways a mind for to marry,
 But kiss all the girls that comes in the way:
For the very last summer, between Etrick and Yarrow,
 I've kiss'd mair than twenty that ne'er said me nae.
But the kindest young lassie that ever I met with
 She lives with her mammy, she has nae mae ava;
I went for te see her, and O it was lucky,
 For that very night the auld wife was awa:
She made up a bed, and bid me come to it,
 And gave all I askest without e'er a frown,
She kiss'd me, and blest me, before that we parted,
 And promis'd to met me next winter in town.
O what is the name of that bonny young lassie,
 O what is her name, and what age may she seem
Her name is Jeanie, she lives in Platiney,
 A tall pretty girl about seventeen.
A curse light upon you and him that begat you,
 And all your ain sisters, you limbo the dei l,
For if you've destroy‘d her, ye villain, here's at you,
 For that‘s the very lassie I liked so well.
O shepherd! sure threat'nings are very unmanly
 She'll pass for a virgin with any but you,
Your welcome to wed her and free to enjoy her,
 For I see unto me you have not proved true.
O no, you deluder, I will not deceive thee,
 Then wed her I sooner would put out her breath;
For if that I had her when the fury is on me,
 With this hazel rung I would finish you baith
O my dear Jamie with patience look round you,
 I fear that true love has blinded your een.
O my dear Jamie with patience look round you,
 You ken not the voice nor the looks of your Jean.
O my dear Jeanie! why did you teaze me?
 I'll no be mysel these eight days and mair,
Come into my arms before I forgive you,
 And gies a‘ the kisses you‘re able to spare.
O Jamie I thought that your mind had been changed,
 It‘s thirty lang weeks since I saw you & twa.
I borrow‘d this clothing from one of our neighbours;
 I was not a mind ye sud ken me ava.
Now he‘s wed on his ain Jeannie,
 And now they do live at the hill of Traquire,
Now he is wed on his ain lovely Jeannie,
 The langer he kens her he likes her the mair