Scotish Comic Ballads XLVII

O Saw ye my father, or saw ye my mither, Or saw ye my true love John? I saw nae your father, I saw nae your mither, But I saw your true love John.

It's now ten at night, and the stars gie na light, And the bells they ring ding dang, He's met wi some delay that causes him to stay, But he will be here ere lang.

The surly auld carl did naithing but snarl, And Johny's face it grew red, Yet tho he often sigh'd he ne'er a word replied, Till a were asleep in bed.

Then up Johny rose, and to the door he goes, And gently tirled the pin, The lassie taking tent unto the door she went, And she open'd and lat him in.

And are come at last, and do I hold ye fast, And is my Johny true? I have nae time to tell, but sae lang's I like mysel, Sae lang sall I like you.

Flee up, flee up, my bonny gray cock, And craw whan it is day; And your neck shall be like the bonny beaten gold, And your wings of the silver-gray.

The cock prov'd false, and untrue he was, For he crew an hour owr soon: The lassie thought it day when she sent her love away, And it was but a blink of the moon.