Findlay's Manuscripts, I, 21, from the
recitation of Jeany Meldrum, Framedrum, Forfarshire.
| 1 |
As I went up to the top o yon hill,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
I met a fair maid, an her name it was Nell.
An she langed to be a true lover o mine |
| 2 |
'Ye'll get to me a cambric sark,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
An sew it all over without thread or needle.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 3 |
'Ye'll wash it doun in yonder well,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
Where water neer ran an dew never fell.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 4 |
'Ye'll bleach it doun by yonder green,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
Where grass never grew an wind never blew.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 5 |
'Ye'll dry it doun on yonder thorn,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
That never bore blossom sin Adam was born.'
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 6 |
'Four questions ye have asked at me,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
An as mony mair ye'll answer me.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 7 |
'Ye'll get to me an acre o land
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
Atween the saut water an the sea sand.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 8 |
'Ye'll plow it wi a ram's horn,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
An sow it all over wi one peppercorn.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 9 |
'Ye'll shear it wi a peacock's feather,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
An bind it all up wi the sting o an adder.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 10 |
'Ye'll stook it in yonder saut sea,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
An bring the dry sheaves a' back to me.
Before that ye be a true lover o mine |
| 11 |
'An when ye've done and finished your wark,
Every rose springs merry in' t' time
Ye'll come to me, an ye'se get your sark.'
An then shall ye be true lover o mine |
