The Bonnie Wee Lassie

Tom Spiers: On Autumn Harvest ah007: Old Songs & Bothy Ballads: Grand to Be a Working Man. Recorded at the Fife Traditional Singing Festival May 2008.

Words based on Jeannie Robertson’s version. Tune based on Bundle & Go, from Greig-Duncan. Words and tune modified by Tom Spiers.

1: Oh I've come tae a pass far I met a wee lass,
And said I, "Ma wee lass are ye willing tae go?"
She says, "Sir, I will if ye gie me a gill,
For it's I'm the wee lassie that never said no."

2: Sae we've gaen tae an ale-house and straight up tae bed,
And we never did rise till the cock it did crow;
Then it's glass aifter glass I did merrily toss,
Wi the bonnie wee lassie that never said no.

3: Then the landlady's opened the door and come in,
And she's lifted a glass and said wi a smile,
"Here's a health tae the lad fa's brocht in this lass,
And here's a health tae the lass that can jig it in style."

4: "Go and bring us mair liquor," the lassie she said,
So they brocht in jugs and bottles a-new,
Then it's glass aifter glass they did merrily toss,
Till the lass and the landlady filled themselves fu.

5: "Oh look into your pocket," the landlady said,
"For ye owe me twa shillings tae pay for your bed;
And for laying her doun, ye owe me a croun,
Oh look into your pocket," the landlady said.

6: I pit a pound in her pocket, but twa I taen oot,
And I said tae masel I will bundle and go;
I bid her goodbye but she's made nae reply,
That's the bonnie wee lassie that never said no.