The Collier Laddie

1: I've traivelled East and I've traivelled West,
And I hae been tae Kirkcaldy;
But the bonniest lass I ever spied,
She wis folaein her collier laddie,

laddie o laddie,
Aye the bonniest lass I ever spied,
She wis follaein her collier laddie.

2: "O whaur live ye my bonnie lass,
Come tell me what they caa ye?"
"Bonnie Jean Gordon is my name,
And I'm follaein ma collier laddie."

3: "O see ye no yon hills an dales,
That the sun shines on sae brawly;
They aa are mine an they shall be thine,
Gin ye leave yer collier laddie."

4: "And ye shall dress in gay atire,
Weel buskit up sae brawly;
Wi een tae wait on every hand,
Gin ye leave yer collier laddie."

5: "Though ye had aa the sun shines on,
And the earth it hides sae lawly;
I wid turn my back on you and it aa,
And embrace ma collier laddie."

6: Then he has tae her father gaen,
Tae her father he has gaen sae brawly;
Sayin, "Will ye gie tae me your bonnie, bonnie lass,
That's follaein a collier laddie?"

7: "I'll gie her gowd an I'll gie her gear,
And I'll mak her a lady;
I'll mak her one o higher degree,
Than tae follae a collier laddie."

8: Then he has tae his dochter gaen,
Tae his dochter he has gaen sae brawly;
Said, "Ye'll gang wi this gentleman,
And forsake yer collier laddie."

9: "O I winna hae his gold and I winna hae his gear,
I winna be his lady;
For I've got gold an gear enough,
And I hae ma collier laddie."

10: Her faither then baith vowed and sware,
"Though he be black, he's bonnie;
And she's mair delight in him I vow,
Than you and aa yer money."

11: "O love for love is a bargain for me,
Though the collier's hoose should haud me;
I'll mak my bed in the collier's neuk,
And lie doun wi the collier laddie,

laddie o laddie,
I'll mak my bed in the collier's neuk,
And lie doun wi the collier laddie.

c p 2007 Autumn Harvest AH004
www.springthyme.co.uk