Maid of Carronshore/The Minister's Maid

When I was a bonny wie laſſie,
I lived by yon river ſide;
A bonny wie laddie courted me,
for to make me his bride:
My maſter being one of the Clergy,
I kentna weel how to do;
But I courted ay wi' my laddie,
and pleas'd the Miniſter too.

We waited a' opportunities.
ay when they were frae hame;
We kiſs'd and clapped each other:
ſo merry as we were then!
So merry as we were then;
our vows for to renew!
So ay I courted my laddie,
and pleas d the Miniſter too.

It was on a fine ſimmer evening
I went out for to meet with my lad,
He took me in his arms.
our hearts being wond'rous glad!
And what came o' me then,
ye wadna believe me now;
But ay I courted my laddie,
and pleas'd the Miniſter too.

​When I came hame to my miſtreſs,
ſhe ſcolded and ſhe flet;
Says. Where have you been wa'king,
that ye have ſtay'd ſae late?
That ye have ſtay'd ſae late?
your maſter I will tell.
Thinks I madam ye needna faſh,
for I'll hae to do that myſel'.

But I keepet ay up my courage,
and madna muckle din;
And my laddie came ay and ſaw me,
ay's he gaed out and in;
And ay's he gaed out and in,
ay he pried my mou':
So ay I courted my laddie
and pleas'd the miniſter too.

But when the ſimmer was over,
O pale and wane grew I,
Like ane riſen out a fever,
or ane juſt gaun to die!
My maſter came an aſked me.
what was the matter wi' me?
If I knew any thing that would eaſe me,
at my comman' it ſhou'd be.

Oh! I maun own my crime Sir.
tho' it be to my ſhame and diſgrace,
I went out for to meet wi' the lad,
the lad that gi'es out your maſs;

​His voice it was too ſhrill,
he pitch'd o'er high for me;
And ay ſinſyne I remember
that I've been likin' to die.

Then my laddie was ſeut for,
and he came hingin' his mou';
Says Meſs John, had you been a good bairn,
we wadna hae ſent for you:
My laſſie is lyin ſick,
an on you ſhe lays a' the blame:
An ye ken ony way ye've wrang'd her,
ye'll raiſe her as ſpeedy again.

O I never harm'd your laſſie,
neither by night nor by day;
But it was n a fine ſimmer evening,
wheu croſſing o'er the way,
When croſſing o'er the way,
I learn'd her how to ſing,
And pitching the high notes banger,
has driven her a' out o' tune,

Be pleas d to marry your laſſie,
O marry your laſſie to me!
For I'm reſolv'd to hae her,
whether ſhe live or die,
Whether ſhe live or die,
to mak her my wedded wife.
So I'll live with my laſſie
a ſweet and contented life.