The Broom of Cowdenknows, pp.14-15.

[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.