My Friend and Pitcher/Etrick Banks

For other versions of this work, see Ettrick Banks.

ETRICK BANKS.

On Etrick banks, in a summer's night,
At gloaming, when the sheep drove hame,
I met my lassie, braw and tight,
Come wading barefoot a' her lane.
My heart grew light; I ran, and flang
My arms about her lily neck,
And kiss'd and clap'd her there fu' lang,
My words they' were na monie feck.

I said, My lassie will ye gang
To the Highland hills, some Earse to learn?
And I'd gie thee baith cow and ewe,
When ye come to the brig of Earn.
At Leith auld meal comes in, ne'er fash,
And herrings at the Broomielaw;
Cheer up your heart, my bonny lass,
Theres gear to win we never saw.

A' day when we hae wrought enough
When winter frosts and snaws begin,
Soon as the sun gaes west the loch,
At bight when ye sit down to spin,
I'll screw my pipes and play a spring;
And thus the weary night we'll end,
Till the tender kid and lamb-time bring
Our pleasant simmer back again.

Syne when the trees are in their bloom,
And gowans glent o'er ilka field,
I'll meet my lass amang the broom,
And lead her to my simmer bield.
There, far frae a' their scornfu' din,
That mak the kindly heart their sport,
We'll laugh, and kiss, and dance, and sing,
And gar the langest day seem short.