The False Lover Won Back
No: 218; variant: 218A
- A FAIR maid sat in her bower-door,
Wringing her lily hands,
And by it came a sprightly youth,
Fast tripping oer the strands.
- 'Where gang ye, young John,' she says,
'Sae early in the day?
It gars me think, by your fast trip,
Your journey's far away.'
- He turnd about wi surly look,
And said, What's that to thee?
I'm gaen to see a lovely maid,
Mair fairer far than ye.
- 'Now hae ye playd me this, fause love,
In simmer, mid the flowers?
I shall repay ye back again,
In winter, mid the showers.
- 'But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye not turn again?
For as ye look to other women,
I shall to other men.'
- 'Make your choice of whom you please,
For I my choice will have;
I've chosen a maid more fair than thee,
I never will deceive.'
- But she's kilt up her claithing fine,
And after him gaed she;
But aye he said, Ye'll turn again,
Nae farder gae wi me.
- 'But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye never love me again?
Alas for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!'
- The first an town that they came till,
He bought her brooch and ring;
And aye he bade her turn again,
And gang nae farder wi him.
- 'But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye never love me again?
Alas for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!'
- The next an town that they came till,
He bought her muff and gloves;
But aye he bade her turn again,
And choose some other loves.
- 'But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye never love me again?
Alas for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!'
- The next an town that they came till,
His heart it grew mair fain,
And he was as deep in love wi her
As she was ower again.
- The next an town that they came till,
He bought her wedding gown,
And made her lady of ha's and bowers,
Into sweet Berwick town.