As I gaed o'er the Highland hills, To a
farmer's house I came; The night being dark and something wet I ventur'd into the same, Where I was kindly treated, And
a pretty girl I spied, Who ask'd me if I had a wife? But marriage I denied.
I courted her the lae long night, 'Till
near the dawn of day, When frankly she to me did say, A-lang wi' thee I'll gae For Ireland is a fine country, And
the Scots to you are kin, So I will gang alang with you, My fortune to begin.
Day being come and breakfast o'er, To
the parlour I was ta'en; The gudeman kindly asked me If I'd marry his daughter Jane? Five hundred marks I'll give
her, Beside a piece of lan', But scarcely had he spoken the word, Than I thought of Peggy Bawn.
Your offer,
sir, is very good, And I thank you, said I, But I cannot be your son-in-law, And I'll tell you the reason why: By
bus'ness calleth me in haste, I am the king's servant bound, And I must gang awa' this day, Straight to Edinburgh
town.
Oh! Peggy Bawn, thou art my own, Thy heart lies in my breast, And though we at a distance are, Yet I
love thee still the best; Although we at a distance are, And the seas between us roar, Yet I'll be constant, Peggy
Bawn, To thee forever more.
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