Five sonsg (sic)/The Traquire Shepherds

The Traquire Shepherds,

O Shepherd the weather looks misty and changing
⁠will you show me over the bills of Traquire,
O yes, gentle stranger, where ye yon been ranging
⁠for such a gentleman walking is (illegible text)
I've been in the forest amang the braw lases,
⁠I've sung with each shepherd on ilka green hill,
And I have a mind to give over my rambling,
⁠since in every thing in it I have had my will,
am fear'd you have some bonny lassie beguiled,
⁠you're the finest young gentleman I ever saw,
Your heeks like the roses, your hair's like the gow’
⁠I'm afraid you & them have been breaking the law
O gentle shepherd have you got a wife yet?
⁠or you live single, spray tell me the truth,
For if you live single, you're sure to live happy,
⁠for the blooming young lasses are of such a rut
O I'm single, for all the maids in the forest,
⁠I mind them no more than the leaf of the tree,
Save one pretty girl to whom I have promis'd
⁠to marry, as soon as my stock it is free.
She's handsome and witty, she's charming and ⟨pretty⟩
⁠she's just like a swan in a new fallen pool.
She's modest and witty she'll soon make me happy
⁠I liked her ay since I was at the school.
O shepherd, you're foolish to bind to a woman,
⁠indeed you will rue it and that very soon,
For if she proves constant, you'll scarce find
⁠another one under the moon.
As for me, I'm no ways amind for to marry,
⁠but kiss all the fair maids tha: come in my way,
For the very last winter between Etrick and Barra
⁠I kiss'd more than twenty that never said me nae
here was ae bonny lass, I chanc'd for to meet,
⁠she liv'd with her mammy, she had nae mair ava,
An that very night I went for to see her,
⁠O it was lucky, the old wife was awa.
She made me a bed and she bade me go to it,
⁠she gave all I asked without ever a frown.
⟨She⟩ kiss’d me and blest me before that we parted,
⁠and promis'd to see me next winter in town.
what is the name of that bonny young lassie,
⁠O what is her name, and what age might she be
⁠{{reconstruct|Her name it is Jeanny, she lives in Plantanse,
a tall pretty girl about seventeen.
⁠⟨My⟩ curse light upon you and he that begat you,
and all your ancestors ye limb of the de'il,
⁠⟨For⟩ if ye've destroy'd her ye villain, here's at ye,
for that's just the lassie that I like so weel.
⁠Shepherd your threat’nings are very (illegible text)
she'll pass for a maiden wi ony but you,
⁠⟨You're⟩ welcome to wed her and free to enjoy her,
{{illegible}or unto such as her I now bid adieu
⁠(illegible text)ith do you think that I am so simple,
before I wad wed her I'd put out her breath,
⁠⟨And⟩ if I could see her when this fury is on me
with this hazel rung I would finish you baith.
⁠Jeanie, O Jeanie with patience look round ye,
we kenna the looks nor the voice of your Jean.
⁠Jeanie, I thought that your mind had been changed,
(illegible text)ta thirty lang {{illegible]}cks since I saw you and twa,
⁠⟨borrowed⟩ this clea ling frae one of the neighbours,
never had a wish you would ken use (illegible text).
⁠⟨Jeanie⟩, Jeanie, why did you sae tease me,
I'll no be myfel' these eight days and mair,
Come into my arms before I forgi'e you
⁠and gie's all the kisses you hae for to spare,
And now he is wed on his own lovely Jeanie,
⁠and now they do live on the hills of Traquire.
Now he is wed on twa own lovely Jeanie,
⁠the langer he kens her likes her the mair.