Classic Poem

Down in green valleys a town in Yorkshire,
I lived at my ease and was free from all care.
I lived at my ease and I got a sweetheart now,
He's my bonny Scotch laddie and his bonnet so blue.

A regiment of soldiers, oh you soon shall hear,
From England to Ireland they did both steer.
There is one lad among them and I do love so true,
For very well he becomes his bonnet so blue.

'Twas early one morning she rose from her bed,
She called to her Sally, her young waiting-maid,
‘Dress me as neat as your two hands can do,
For I am going to see the lad that wears the bonnet so blue.’

And when she came there they stood all on parade.
She stood with great pleasure to hear what was said.
His name was John Stuart and I know him true,
For dearly do I love his bonnet so blue.

My love he passed by me with a gun all in his hand,
And then I strove to speak to him, but still 'twas all in vain.
But then I strove to speak with him, from me he did flew
And my heart went along with his bonnet so blue.

She said, ‘My dearest soldier, I will buy your discharge
And free you from the army and set you at large.
If thou couldst but love me my heart will go true,
For dearly do I love thy sweet bonnet so blue.’

He said, ‘My honoured lady, if you'll buy my discharge
And free me from the army and set me at large,
And if I only love thee thy heart will prove true;
And what will my poor little Scotch lassie do?

‘For I have a sweetheart in my own country,
I never will despise her for all her poverty,
For she is the truest maid and always did prove true
And never put a stain on my bonnet so blue.’

I'll send to old England, to Ireland also,
I'll have my love's likeness drawed out in full
And in my bedchamber oftentimes will view,
For dearly do I love his sweet bonnet so blue.