Ettrick Banks

On Ettrick banks in a summers night, At glowming when the sheep drave hame, I met my lassie braw and tight, Come wading barefoot a her lane: My heart grew light, I ran, I flang My arms about her lily neck, And kiss'd and clap'd her there fou lang; My words they were na mony, feck.

I said, My lassie will ye go To the highland hills, the Erse to learn? I'll gie ye baith a ew and cow, When ye come to the brig of Earn. At Leith auld meal comes in, neer fash, And herrings at the Broomy Law; Chear up your heart my bonny lass, There's gear to win we never saw.

When we all day have wrought eneuch, When winter-frosts and snaw begin, Soon as the sun gaes west the loch, At night when ye sit down to spin, I'll screw my pipes and play a spring; And there the weary night we'll en, Till tender kid-and-lamb time bring Our pleasant simmer back again.

Syne when the trees are in their bloom, And gowans gleim oer ilka field, I'll meet my lass amang the broom, And lead you to my simmer bield: Then, far frae a their scornfu din, Wha mak the kindly hearts their sport, We'll laugh, and kiss, and dance, and sing, And gar the langest day seem short.