Bonny Barbara Allan (1823)/Bessie Bell and Mary Gray

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BESSY BELL AND MARY GRAY.

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
⁠They are twa bonnie lasses,
They bigg'd a bower on yon burn brae,
⁠And theek'd it owre wi' rashes.
8essy Bell I lo'ed yestreen,
⁠And thought I ne'er could alter;
But Mary Gray's twa packy een
⁠They gar my fancy faulter,

Bessy's hair's like a lint tap,
⁠She smiles like a May morning;
When Phœbus starts frae Thetis' lap
⁠The hills with rays adorning;
White is her neck, saft is her hand,
⁠Her waist and feet fu' genty,
With ilka grace she can command;
⁠Her lips, O vow their dainty.

Mary's locks are like the craw,
⁠Her eye like diamond glances,
She's ay sae clean, redd-up,and braw.
⁠She kills whene'er she dances.
Blythe as a kid, with wit at will,
⁠She blooming, tight, and tall is;
And guides her airs sae gracefu' still;
⁠O Jove, she's like thy Pallas!

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray
⁠Ye unco sair oppress us;
Our fancies jee between you twa,
⁠Ye are sic bonnie lasses.
Waes me, for baith I canna get,
⁠To ane by law wa're stented;
Then I'll draw cuts and take my fate,
⁠And be with ane contented.