The Trooper Lad
TROOPER AND MAID—D
[_]
Communicated by Mr Macmath,
with this note: “Received, 21st August, 1895,
at Crossmichael, from my aunt, Miss Jane Webster.
Learned by her many years ago, at Airds of Kells,
from the singing of John Coltart.”
1
The trooper lad cam to oor gate,
And oh! but he was weary,
He rapped at and chapped at,
Syne called for his kind deary.
2
The bonnie lass being in the close,
The moon was shining clearly, —
‘Ye'r welcome here, my trooper lad,
Ye'r welcome, my kind deary.’
3
She's taen his horse by the bridle-reins,
And led him to the stable,
She's gien him corn and hay to eat,
As much as he was able.
4
She's taen the knight by the milk-white hand,
And led him to her chamber,
And gied him bread and cheese to eat,
And wine to drink his pleasure.
5
‘Bonnie lassie, I'll lie near ye noo,
Bonnie lassie, I'll lie near ye,
An I'll gar a' your ribbons reel
In the morning or I leave ye.’
6
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
And she put off her wee white smock,
Crying, ‘Laddie, are ye ready?’
[OMITTED]
7
The first time that the trumpet played
Was, Up, up and awa, man!
The next time that the trumpet played
Was, The morn's the battle-day, man!
8
‘Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye noo,
Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye;
But, if e'er I come this way again
I will ca in an see ye.’
9
Bread and cheese for gentlemen,
An corn and hay for horses;
Pipes and tobacco for auld wives,
And bonnie lads for lasses.
10
‘When will us twa meet again?
When will we meet and marry?’
‘When cockle-shells turn silver bells,
Nae langer, love, we'll tarry.’
11
So he's taen his auld grey cloak about him noo,
An he's ower the mountains fairly,
Crying, ‘Fare ye weel, my bonnie lass,
Fareweel, my ain kind deary.’
