Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
CA’ the yowes to the knowes, | |
Ca’ them where the heather grows, | |
Ca’ them where the burnie rows, | |
My bonnie dearie. | |
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As I gaed down the water side, | 5 |
There I met my shepherd lad; | |
He row’d me sweetly in his plaid, | |
And he ca’d me his dearie. | |
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‘Will ye gang down the water side, | |
And see the waves sae sweetly glide | 10 |
Beneath the hazels spreading wide? | |
The moon it shines fu’ clearly.’ | |
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‘I was bred up at nae sic school, | |
My shepherd lad, to play the fool, | |
And a’ the day to sit in dool, | 15 |
And naebody to see me.’ | |
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‘Ye sall get gowns and ribbons meet, | |
Cauf-leather shoon upon your feet, | |
And in my arms ye’se lie and sleep, | |
And ye sall be my dearie.’ | 20 |
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‘If ye’ll but stand to what ye’ve said, | |
I’se gang wi’ you, my shepherd lad, | |
And ye may row me in your plaid, | |
And I sall be your dearie.’ | |
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‘While waters wimple to the sea, | 25 |
While day blinks in the lift sae hie, | |
Till clay-cauld death sall blin’ my e’e, | |
Ye aye sall be my dearie!’ | |