Bessy Bell & Mary Gray

O Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, They were twa bonny lasses, They bigg'd a bow'r on yon burn brae, And theek‘d it o'er wi‘ rashes, Fair Bessy Bell I lo‘ed yestreen, And thought I ne'er could alter, But Mary Gray’s twa pawky een, They gar my fancy faster.

Now Bessy's,hair's like a lint-tap, She smiles like a May morning, When Phœbus starts frae Thetis’ lap, The hills with rays adorning: White is her neck, saft is Her hand, Her waist and feet's fu’ genty; With Ilka grace she can command; Her lips, O vow! they're dainty.

And Mary's locks are like a craw, Her een like diamonds glances; She's ay sae clean, redd up, and braw; She kills whenev'r she dances; Blyth as a kid, with, wit at will, She blooming, tight, and tall is; And guides her airs sae graceful still, O Jove, she's like thy Palles.

Dear Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, Ye unco salr oppress us; Our fancies jee between you tway, Ye are sic bonny lasses: Waes me! for baith I canna get; To ane by law we‘re stented; Then I‘ll draw cuts; and tak my fate, And be with ane contented.