The Book of Scottish Song/The Ewe-Bughts

The Ewe-Bughts.

[Both the words and the beautiful air of The Ewe-Bughts are of undoubted antiquity. They are given in the Orpheus Caledonius, published in 1725, but belong to a period considerably earlier. Ramsay, in his Tea Table Miscellany, marks the song with a Q, signifying that it was an old song with additions. Ramsay's additions were merely a trifling verbal alteration or two.]

Will ye gae to the ewe-buchts, Marion,
And wear in the sheep wi' me?
The sun shines sweet, my Marion,
But nae half sae sweet as thee.

O, Marion's a bonnie lass,
And the blythe blink 's in her e'e;
And fain wad I marry Marion,
Gin Marion wad marry me.

There's gowd in your garters, Marion,
And silk on your white hause-bane;
For fain wad I kiss my Marion,
At e'en, when I come hame.

There's braw lads in Farnslaw, Marion,
Wha gape, and glower wi' their e'e,
At kirk when they see my Marion,
But nane o' them lo'es like me.

I've nine milk-ewes, my Marion,
A cow and a brawny quey;
I'll gi'e them a' to my Marion,
Just on her bridal-day.

And ye'se get a green sey apron,
And waistcoat o' London broun;
And wow but ye'se be vap'rin'
Whene'er ye gang to the toun.

I'm young and stout, my Marion,
Nane dances like me on the green:
And, gin ye forsake me, Marion,
I'll e'en gae draw up wi' Jean.

Sae put on your pearlins, Marion,
And kirtle o' cramasie;
And, as sune as my chin has nae hair on,
I will come west, and see ye.

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