The Fair Haired Lassie

Trad  (adapted from 'Ettrick Lady')

 

As I gaed doon by the Etrick valley

at the hour o' 12 at night;

Wha should I spy but a fair haired lassie,

combin' her hair by candlelight.

 

Lassie i hae come a courtin.

an hopes your favour for tae win,

Lassie if you'll smile upon me

Maybe i'll come back again.

 

"sit ye doun ye'r hearty welcome

sit ye doun ye'r hearty so

sit ye doun ye'r hearty welcome

whether ye come back or no"

 

Lassie, I hae gold and silver.

Lassie, I hae hoose and land.

Lassie, I hae ships in the ocean.

They'll aye be there at your command.

 

"What dae Aa care for yer ships in the ocean?

What dae Aa care for yer hoos and land?

What dae Aa care for yer gold and silver,

When all Aa want is a handsome man?"

 

lassie dinna think on beauty

that's a flow'r will soon decay

the fairest flow'r in all your garden

when winter comes will fade away

 

"ripest apple soonest rotten

hottest love is soonest cold

young mens vows is soon forgotton

pray young man don't be so bold

 

first come lillies then come roses

first comes april then comes may

and the fairest flow'r in all the summer

when winter comes will fade away"

 

Did ee ever see the grass in the morning,

Aw bedecked wi jewels rare?

Did ee ever see a bonnie lassie,

Diamonds sparklin in her hair?

 

old age has laid her hand on me

as cold as a fire of ashy coals

but where o where is that fair haired lassie

so neat and clean about the soul?