The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/O, once I lov'd a bonie Lass
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O, ONCE I LOV'D A BONIE LASS.
TUNE—'I AM A MAN UNMARRIED.'
O, once I lov'd a bonie lass,
Ay, and I love her still,
And whilst that virtue warms my breast
I'll love my handsome Nell.
Fal lal de ral, &c.
Ay, and I love her still,
And whilst that virtue warms my breast
I'll love my handsome Nell.
Fal lal de ral, &c.
As bonie lasses I hae seen,
And monie full as braw,
But for a modest gracefu' mien
The like I never saw.
And monie full as braw,
But for a modest gracefu' mien
The like I never saw.
A bonie lass, I will confess,
Is pleasant to the ee,
But without some better qualities
She's no a lass for me.
Is pleasant to the ee,
But without some better qualities
She's no a lass for me.
But Nelly's looks are blithe and sweet,
And what is best of a',
Her reputation is complete,
And fair without a flaw.
And what is best of a',
Her reputation is complete,
And fair without a flaw.
She dresses aye sae clean and neat,
Both decent and genteel:
And then there's something in her gait
Gars onie dress look weel.
Both decent and genteel:
And then there's something in her gait
Gars onie dress look weel.
A gaudy dress and gentle air
May slightly touch the heart,
But it's innocence and modesty
That polishes the dart.
May slightly touch the heart,
But it's innocence and modesty
That polishes the dart.
'Tis this in Nelly pleases me,
'Tis this enchants my soul!
For absolutely in my breast
She reigns without control.
Fal lal de ral, &c.
'Tis this enchants my soul!
For absolutely in my breast
She reigns without control.
Fal lal de ral, &c.