University of Virginia Library


110

MALLY AIKEN.

AN OLD SONG REVIVED.

[_]

Air—Gaelic.

O listen! listen, and I'll tell ye
How this fair maid's played her part:—
First she vowed and promised to me,
Now she strives to break my heart!’
Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.

111

I coft you silken garters, Mally,
And sleeve-knots for your tartan gown;
I coft you a green necklace, Mally,
To busk you whan you gade to town:
You gae me kisses sweet as hinny!
You gae me words mair sweeet than true;
You swore you loo'd me best o'ony;
—Ah! why than, Mally, break your vow!
Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.
Yon auld man came wi' wyles sae bonie,
He bragged o'land and walth o'gear;
He promised braws mair fine than Johnie
To busk ye for the kirk and fair;

112

He gae up tocher to your daddy;—
Your mother sighed and thought o'me;
But Mally wished to be a lady,
And changed true luve for—high degree!
Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.
He's ta'en you hame; he's made you gawdie,
He's busked you for the kirk and fair;
But you had better ta'en your laddie,
For happiness you'll ne'er see mair!
You may gang to kirk and fair, my Mally;
Your face and braws catch ilka ee,—
But happiness you'll ne'er see, Mally,
For breaking o'your vows to me!
Eirin O! Mally Aiken,
Eirin O s'dhu ma roon.
 

This verse is all the author ever heard of the original.— The meaning of the Gaelic chorus is, O Mally Aiken, thou art my love.