Keys of love (1)/The Lass of Galawater

The LASS of GALAWATER

ON Galawater fair and clear,
there lives a lovely creature,
Whose beauty rare makes her excel,
⁠all other works of nature.

I fix'd my mind on this lovely dame,
⁠determin'd ne'er to alter;
But like a false deluding fair,
⁠I found her love but flatter.

My love she lives upon yon hill,
⁠it's all grown o'er with heather,
Come tie the creel upon my back,
⁠some berries for to gather.

Come fill the creel, come fill it well,
⁠see that it lake no berries,
For a man that loves his mistress well,
⁠he will her always cherish.

Some people say that I am rude,
⁠and in me there's no wisdom;
But believe me now, I'll tell you true,
⁠I'll be a loving husband.

Our Clergymen and Lawyers,
⁠they speak for gain and treasure;
The man that loves his misstress well,
⁠will wait upon her leisure.

I'll come to night when the moon shines bright,
⁠because thou art my deary:
A' man that loves his mistress well
⁠no travel makes him weary.

Down in yon garden there are bees,
⁠sand below their hive there’s honey,
The man that loves his mistress well,
⁠he values not her money.

I know thy friends are nsing means,
⁠on purpose to dissuade you,
Thinking to get a better match,
⁠but fortune may beguile you.

Why dost thou think my pretty pink,
⁠but I can live without thee;
Now since it be I’ll let you see,
⁠that you may look about ye.

So fare you well my dearest dear,
⁠my blessing ay go with you,
I'll come uo more to your bow'r door,
⁠for to tell you that I love you.

You've been so free in telling me,
⁠that you've not a mind to marry,
I'll be so free in telling thee,
⁠that I have no time to tarry.

You lovers who a courting go,
⁠pray take this for a warning,
Let Cupid no advantage take,
⁠of your reason to disarm you.

For Peggy’s smiles my heart inflames,
⁠my breast doth burn like fire,
But since it’s so, I'll let her go,
⁠from henceforth I’ll defy her.

So here’s a health to the bonny lass,
⁠whose cheeks are like the roses;
The finest flowers will soonest fade,
⁠when they are set in posies.

It’s heaven’s decree it must not be,
⁠therefore I will resign her;
Some other maid will grace my bed,
⁠for wedlock more inclining.

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