Ma Rovin Eye

Ma Rovin Eye

On Springthyme SPRCD 1004
OSSIAN - Ossian

Billy Ross - lead vocal & dulcimer; Billy Jackson - whistle, small pipes & vocal; George Jackson - guitar, mandolin & vocal; John Martin - fiddle, cello & vocal.

In one form or another this song is still widely popular - in Ireland as As I Roved Out, in England as Seventeen Come Sunday. This version is from the North East of Scotland.

1: As I gaed o'er yon Hieland hill,
I met a bonny lassie;
And she gied me a wink wi the tail o her ee,
And faith but she was saucy.

2: "Where are ye gaun my bonnie lass?
Where are ye gaun my honey?
Where are ye gaun my bonnie lass?"
"For baccy for my grannie."

Chorus:
Wi ma rovin eye,
Fol di doodle die,
Wi ma rovin fol di derry,
Wi ma rovin eye.

3: "Oh what is your name my bonnie lass?
What is your name my honey?
What is your name my bonnie lass."
"Oh they cry me bonnie Annie."

4: "And how old are you my bonnie lass?
How old are you my honey?
How old are you my bonnie lass?"
"I'll be sixteen come Sunday."

5: "Whaur dae ye sleep my bonnie lass?
Whaur dae ye sleep my honey?
Whaur dae ye sleep my bonnie lass?"
"In a wee bed next my mammy."

6: "Oh gin I were tae come tae your hoose then,
When the moon is shining clearly;
Would you arise and let me in,
So yer mother wouldn't hear me?"

7: Oh when I went doun tae the lassie's door,
I found that she was wakened,
Oh but lang, lang e'er the mornin come,
Her mother heard us talkin.

Chorus:
Wi ma rovin eye,
Fol di doodle die,
Wi ma rovin fol di derry,
Wi ma rovin eye