The Canary/Bessy Bell and Mary Gray

by Unknown

For other versions of this work, see Bessy Bell and Mary Gray.

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray.

⟨O⟩ Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
They war twa bonny lasses,
They bigg'd a bower on yon burnbrae
And theeked it o'er wi rashes.
⟨Fair⟩ Bessy Bell I lo'ed yestreen,
And thought I ne'er could alter:
⟨Bat⟩ Mary Gray's twa pawky een,
They gar my fancy falter.

Now Bessy's hair's like a lint-tap;
She smiles like a May morning,
When Phoebus starts frae Thetis' lap,
The hills with rays adorning:
White is her neck, saft is her hand,
Her waist and feet's fu' genty;
With ilka grace she can command;
Her lips, O vow! they're dainty.

And Mary's locks are like a craw,
Her een like diamonds glances;
She aye sae clean, red up and braw,
She's kills whene'er she dances.
Blythe as a kid, with wit and will,
She blooming, tight, and talls is;
And guides her airs fae gracefu' still,
O Jove, she's like thy Pallas.

Dear Bessy Bell and Mary Gray,
Ye unco fair oppress us;
Our fancies jee between you twa,
Ye are sic bonny lasses:
Waes me! for baith I canna get,
To ane by law we're stinted;
Then I'll draw cuts, and tak my fate,
And be with ane contented.