[Tea-Table Miscellany Contents]
HOW blyth ilk morn was I to see
The swain come o’er the hill!
He skipt the burn, and flew to me:
I met him with good will.
O the broom, the bonny bonny broom,
The broom of Cowdenknows;
I wish I were with my dear swain,
With his Pipe and my Ews.
–
I neither wanted ew nor lamb,
While his flock near me lay:
He gather’d in my sheep at night,
And chear’d me a’ the day.
O the broom, &c.
–
He tun’d his pipe and reed sae sweet,
The burds stood listning by:
E’en the dull cattle stood and gaz’d,
Charm’d with his melody.
O the broom, &c.
–
While thus we spent our time by turns,
Betwixt our flocks and play:
I envy’d not the fairest dame,
Tho’ ne’er sae rich and gay.
O the broom, &c.
–
Hard fate that I shou’d banish’d be,
Gang heavily and mourn,
Because I lov’d the kindest swain
That ever yet was born.
O the broom, &c.
–
He did oblige me ev’ry hour,
Cou’d I but faithfu’ be;
He staw my heart: cou’d I refuse
Whate’er he ask’d of me?
O the broom, &c.
–
My doggie, and my little kit
That held my wee soup whey,
My plaidy, broach, and crooked stick,
May now ly useless by,
O the broom, &c.
–
Adieu ye Cowdenknows, adieu,
Farewell a’ pleasures there;
Ye Gods restore to me my swain,
Is a’ I crave or care.
O the broom, the bonny bonny broom,
The broom of Cowdenknows:
I wish I were with my dear swain,
With his pipe and my ews.
– New Words by Different Hands.