Bess the Gawkie

Blithe young Bess to Jean did say,

Will ye gang to yon sunny brae,

Where flocks do feed and herds do stray,

And sport awhile wi' Jamie?

Ah na, lass! I'll no gang there,

Nor about Jamie tak' a care,

For he's taken up wi' Maggie.

For hark, and I will tell you lass:

Did I not see young Jamie pass

Wi' meickle gladness on his face

Out o'er the muir to Maggie?

I wot he gave her mony a kiss,

And Maggie took them ne'er amiss,

I ween ilka smack pleas'd her with this:

That Bess was but a gawkie.

Then lasses fast frae him they flew

And left poor Jamie fair to rue

That ever Maggie's face he knew,

Or yet ca'd Bess a gawkie.

As they went o'er the muir they sang;

The hills and dales wi' echoes rang,

Gang o'er the muir to Maggie.