P. 174.
'The Trooper Lad.' Communicated by Mr. Macmath, with this
note: "Received, 21st August, 1895, at Crossmichael, from my
aunt, Miss Jane Webster. Learned by her many years ago, at Airds
of Kells, from the singing of John Coltart."
| 1 |
The trooper lad cam to oor gate,
And oh! but he was weary,
He rapped at and chapped at,
Syne called for his kind deary. |
| 2 |
The bonnie lass being in the close,
The moon was shining clearly,
'Ye'r welcome here, my trooper lad,
Ye'r welcome, my kind deary.' |
| 3 |
She's taen his horse by the bridle-reins,
And led him to the stable,
She's gien him corn and hay to eat,
As much as he was able. |
| 4 |
She's taen the knight by the milk-white hand,
And led him to her chamber,
And gied him bread and cheese to eat,
And wine to drink his pleasure. |
| 5 |
'Bonnie lassie, I'll lie near ye noo,
Bonnie lassie, I'll lie near ye,
An I'll gar a' your ribbons reel
In the morning or I leave ye.' |
| 6 |
. . .
. . .
And she put off her wee white smock,
Crying, 'Laddie, are ye ready?' |
| |
* * * |
| 7 |
The first time that the trumpet played
Was, Up, up and awa, man!
The next time that the trumpet played
Was, The morn's the battle-day, man! |
| 8 |
'Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye noo,
Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye;
But, if e'er I come this way again
I will ca in an see ye.' |
| 9 |
Bread and cheese for gentlemen,
An corn and hay for horses;
Pipes and tobacco for auld wives,
And bonnie lads for lasses. |
| 10 |
'When will us twa meet again?
When will we meet and marry?'
1 When cockle-shells turn silver bells,
Nae langer, love, we'll tarry.' |
| 11 |
So he's taen his auld grey cloak about him noo,
An he's ower the mountains fairly,
Crying, ' Fare ye weel, my bonnie lass,
Fareweel, my ain kind deary.' |
Mr. Macmath adds the following stanza, "remembered by Miss
Agnes Macmath, 2nd January, 1896, from the singing of her
mother."
