The sweetest lad was Jamie

Beethoven, Ludwig van

The sweetest lad was Jamie,

The sweetest, the dearest;

And well did Jamie love me,

And not a fault has he.

Yet one he had, it spoke his praise,

He knew not woman's wish to teaze,

He knew not all our silly ways,

Alas! The woe is me!

For though I loved my Jamie

Sincerely and dearly,

Yet, often when he woo'd me,

I held my head on high;

And huffed and tossed with saucy air,

And danced with Donald at the fair,

And placed his ribbon in my hair,

And Jamie, -- passed him by.

So, when the war-pipes sounded,

Dear Jamie he left me,

And now some other maiden

Will Jamie turn to woo.

My heart will break, and well it may,

For who would word of pity say

To her who threw a heart away,

So faithful and so true?

Oh! Knew he how I loved him,

Sincerely and dearly!

And I would fly to meet him,

Oh! happy were the day!

Some kind, kind friend, oh! come between,

And tell him of my altered mien!

That Jeanie has not Jeanie been

Since Jamie went away!