Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. (1863–1944). The Oxford Book of Ballads. 1910.
7272. Young John
A
Wringing her lily hands,
And by it came a sprightly youth,
Fast tripping o’er the strands.
‘Where gang ye, young John,’ she says,
‘Sae early in the day?
It gars me think, by your fast trip,
Your journey’s far away.’
He turn’d about wi’ a surly look,
And said, ‘What’s that to thee?
I’m gaen to see a lovely maid,
Mair fairer far than ye.’—
‘Now hae ye play’d me this, fause love,
In simmer, ’mid the flowers?
I shall repay ye back again,
In winter, ’mid the showers.
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye not turn again?
For as ye look to other women,
Sall I to other men.’—
‘Go make your choice of whom you please,
For I my choice will have;
I’ve chosen a maid more fair than thee,
I never will deceive.’
She’s kilted up her claithing fine,
And after him gaed she;
But aye he said, ‘Ye’ll turn again,
Nae farther gang wi’ me.’—
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye ne’er love me again?
Alas, for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!’
The firstan town that they cam’ till,
He bought her brooch and ring;
And aye he bade her turn again,
And nae farther gang wi’ him.
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye ne’er love me again?
Alas, for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!’
The nextan town that they cam’ till,
He bought her muff and gloves;
But aye he bade her turn again,
And choose some other loves.
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye ne’er love me again?
Alas, for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!’
The nextan town that they cam’ till,
His heart it grew mair fain,
And he was as deep in love wi’ her
As she was ower again.
The nextan town that they cam’ till,
He bought her wedding gown,
And made her lady of ha’s and bowers,
Into sweet Berwick town.