Jessie the Flower o' Dumblain/Barbara Bell
BARBARA BELL.
Oh! hang this love, it is a serious thing.
It begins so many a way;
Far better a man in a halter should swing.
As look to a lass now-a-day.
Were there ever a poor fellow so fix’d as I,
Come set you down, the truth I will tell,
Far better I’d hmig on yon coddling tree.
As the very first time I saw Barbara Bell.
CHORUS.
So right leg, left leg, under leg, over leg,
Barbara Bell, my darling.
I being a rake, and not fond of work,
I drest myself up to go to Leeds’ fair,
With my braw new hat and braw ruffl’d shirt;
And dicky the barber shook flour on my hair.
These Leeds’ lasses are always for fun,
Some drinks cider and some drinks rum.
But long-legged Davie he kick’d up a tune,
And he capper’d away with Barbara Bell,
Chorus, Right leg. &c.
Wha came in but Rob o' the neuk,
With Dicky and Sally and twa or three mair,
And off my knee they would Barbara take.
Says I, why hang it, that is not fair;
So Robin he kick d up a dust in a crack,
Sticks and neeves they gade pell mell;
Clock faces besides and glasses they broke,
And they tumbled me over poor Barbara Bell
Chorus. So right leg, &c.
Never mind, lass, we'll do well enough yet.
For you can both lace, spin, and knit.
I'll mend cart geers and follow the plow.
And next whitsuntide the world begins.
There are some that do call me a gustring fool ;
I’ll tarry no longer in the mumps mysel;
Up or in bed, at work or at play,
I can think on nothing but Barbara Bell.
Chorus. So right leg, &c.
Oh late last night I went to see my love,
When a’ the auId folks were fast asleep;
I off my shoes did softly take,
And in at the window did softly peep,
And wha did I spy but Walter Lang's lad.
And what he was doing I hever will tell;
Next Saturday night if l live and be well,
I'll wear a red coat for Barbara Bell.
Chorus. So right leg, &c.