The Bonny Bows o London- Lyle 1825 Child F
[From ESPB, volume 1, 1882 as from Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 383. Child, Version F. This is the standard Scottish form with different refrains similar to Buchan's. It has the resuscitation (instrument) ending.
R. Matteson 2014, 2018]
THE BONNY BOWS O LONDON- Version F; Child 10- The Twa Sisters
Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 383. From the recitation of Agnes Lyle, Kilbarchan, 27th July, 1825.
1 There was two ladies livd in a bower,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
The youngest o them was the fairest flower
About a' the bonny bows o London.
2 There was two ladies livd in a bower,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
An wooer unto the youngest did go.
About a' the bonny bows o London.
3 The oldest one to the youngest did say,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
'Will ye take a walk with me today,
And we'll view the bonny bows o London.
4 'Thou'll set thy foot whare I set mine,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
Thou'll set thy foot upon this stane.'
And we'll view the bonny bows o London.
5 'I'll set my foot where thou sets thine:'
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
The old sister dang the youngest in,
At the bonny bows o London.
6 'O sister dear, come tak my hand,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
Take my life safe to dry land,'
At the bonny bows o London.
7 'It's neer by my hand thy hand sall come in,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
It's neer by my hand thy hand sall come in,
At the bonny bows o London.
8 'It's thy cherry cheeks and thy white briest bane
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
Gars me set a maid owre lang at hame.'
At the bonny bows o London.
9 She clasped her hand[s] about a brume rute,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
But her cruel sister she lowsed them out.
At the bonny bows o London.
10 Sometimes she sank, and sometimes she swam,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
Till she cam to the miller's dam.
At the bonny bows o London.
11 The miller's bairns has muckle need,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
They were bearing in water to bake some breid.
At the bonny bows o London.
12 Says, 'Father, dear father, in our mill-dam,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
It's either a fair maid or a milk-white swan.'
At the bonny bows o London.
13 The miller he's spared nae his hose nor his shoon
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
Till he brocht this lady till dry land.
At the bonny bows o London.
14 I wad he saw na a bit o her feet,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
Her silver slippers were made so neat.
At the bonny bows o London.
15 I wad he saw na a bit o her skin,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
For ribbons there was mony a ane.
At the bonny bows o London.
16 He laid her on a brume buss to dry,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
To see wha was the first wad pass her by.
At the bonny bows o London.
17 Her ain father's herd was the first man
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
That by this lady gay did gang.
At the bonny bows o London.
18 He's taen three links of her yellow hair,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
And made it a string to his fiddle there.
At the bonny bows o London.
19 He's cut her fingers long and small
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
To be fiddle-pins that neer might fail.
At the bonny bows o London.
20 The very first spring that the fiddle did play,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
'Hang my auld sister,' I wad it did say.
At the bonny bows o London.
21 'For she drowned me in yonder sea,
Hey with a gay and a grinding O
God neer let her rest till she shall die,'
At the bonny bows o London.
F. 2[2]. An wooer.