'Twas within a mile of Edinburgh town

'Twas within a mile of Edinburgh town,
   In the rosy time o' the year;
Sweet flowers bloom'd, and the grass was down,
   And each shepherd woo'd his dear.
      Bonnie Jockie, blythe and gay,
      Kiss'd sweet Jenny making hay;
The lassie blush'd and frowning cried, Na, na, it winna do,
I canna, canna, winna, winna, maunna buckle to.

Young Jockie was a wag that never had wed,
   Though lang he had followed the lass;
Contented she earn'd and ate her brown bread,
   And merrily turned up the grass.
      Bonnie Jockie, blythe and free,
      Won her heart right merrily;
Yet still she blush'd and frowning cried, Na, na, it winna do,
I canna, canna, winna, winna, maunna buckle to.

But when he vow'd he wad make her his bride,
   Though his flocks and his herds were not few,
She gied him her hand, and a kiss beside,
   And vow'd she'd for ever be true.
      Bonnie Jockie, blythe and free,
      Won her heart right merrily;
At kirk she no more frowning cried, Na, na, it winna do,
I canna, canna, winna, winna, maunna buckle to.

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin