C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

The Highland Lassie

THE LAWLAND maids gang trig and fine,

But aft they’re sour and unco saucy;

Sae proud they never can be kind

Like my good-humored Highland lassie.

Chorus

O my bonny, bonny Highland lassie,

My hearty, smiling Highland lassie,

May never care make thee less fair,

But bloom of youth still bless my lassie.

Than ony lass in borrows-town,

Wha makes their cheeks with patches motie,

I’d take my Katie but a gown,

Barefooted, in her little coatie.

Chorus.

Beneath the brier or breken bush,

Whene’er I kiss and court my dautie,

Happy and blyth as ane wad wish,

My flighteren heart gangs pittie-pattie.

Chorus.

O’er highest heathery hills I’ll sten,

With cockit gun and ratches tenty,

To drive the deer out of their den,

To feast my lass on dishes dainty.

Chorus.

There’s noane shall dare, by deed or word,

’Gainst her to wag a tongue or finger,

While I can wield my trusty sword,

Or frae my side whisk out a whinger.

Chorus.

The mountains clad with purple bloom,

And berries ripe, invite my treasure

To range with me; let great fowk gloom,

While wealth and pride confound their pleasure.

Chorus.