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Songs

Chiefly in the Rural Language of Scotland. By Allan Cunningham
  
  

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17

MARY WITH THE ROSIE LIPS.

SONG IX.

1

The birds wooe in spring time,
And pair in summer green,
But I love aye the bonnie lass,
I kiss'd so kind yestreen:
For kissing comes from kindness,
The kirk can ne'er say na',
So I'll kiss my Mary's rosie lips,
Though all the world saw.

2

A charming armful is her waist,
Laced in her silken gown,
And beauty ne'er with such a foot,
Bepress'd the gowans down;
She's blythsome as the new-flown thrush,
In lonesome glen or shaw,
And willing are her rosie lips,
Which I love best of a'.

3

Let dames bright-stoled the transports shun,
Of love's adoring grips,
And deem the balmy breeze too rude,
That wooes their lady-lips,

18

But give me in love's kindly clasps,
Beneath the bloomy haw,
My Mary with the rosie lips,
I love her best of a'.

4

Yestreen she saunter'd 'mongst the woods,
On Nith's green banks alone;
Mute listening with enraptur'd ear,
The ring-doves amorous moan.
I led my dew-lock'd maiden blythe,
Where beds of lillies blaw;
And oft, ere rose the moon, she vow'd
She loved me best of a'.