I Am Not Twenty

As through the grove, the other day, I gang'd so blith and bonny; Who should I meet upon the way, But my own true love Johnny! With eager haste, He clasp'd my waist, And kisses gave me plenty; Tho' I deny'd, And thus reply'd, "Dear lad—I am not twenty."

What's that to me, the shepherd cry'd, You're old enough to marry; Then come, dear lass, and be my bride, No longer let us tarry: But let's be gone, O'er yonder lawn, Where lads and lasses plenty, Are fill'd with joy, And kiss and toy, Altho' they are not twenty.

I listen'd to his soothing tale, And gang'd wi' him so rarely; With song and pipe he did prevail, He won my wishes fairly: O he's the lad, That makes me glad, With kisses sweet and plenty; So I declare, By all that's fair, I'll wed—tho' quite not twenty.