The Book of Scottish Song/Peggy and Patie

Peggy and Patie.

[From Ramsay's "Gentle Shepherd."—Tune, "The Yellow-Hair'd Laddie."]

PEGGY.

When first my dear laddie gaed to the green hill,
And I at ewe-milking first seyed my young skill,
To bear the milk bowie nae pain was to me,
When I at the bughting forgather'd wth thee.

PATIE.

When corn-riggs waved yellow, and blue heather-bells
Bloom'd bonnie on moorland and sweet rising fells,
Nae birns, brier, or bracken, gave trouble to me,
If I found but the berries right ripened for thee.

PEGGY.

When thou ran, or wrestled, or putted the stane,
And cam' aff the victor, my heart was aye fail
Thy ilka sport manly gave pleasure to me,
For nane can put, wrestle, or run swift as thee.

PATIE.

Our Jenny sings saftly the "Cowden Broom-knowes,"
And Rosie lilts sweetly the "Milking the Ewes,"
There's few "Jenny Nettles" like Nancy can sing;
With, "Through the wood. Laddie," Bess gars our lugs ring.

But when my dear Peggy sings, with better skill,
The "Boatman," "Tweedside," or the "Lass of the Mill,"
'Tis many times sweeter and pleasing to me
For though they sing nicely, they cannot like thee.

PEGGY.

How easy can lasses trow what they desire,
With praises sae kindly increasing love's fire!
Give me still this pleasure, my study shall be
To make myself better and sweeter for thee.

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