Classic Poem

A fair maid sat in her bower-door,
Wringing her lily hands,
And by it came a sprightly youth,
Fast tripping oer the strands.

‘Where gang ye, young John,’ she says,
‘Sae early in the day?
It gars me think, by your fast trip,
Your journey 's far away.’

He turnd about wi surly look,
And said, What 's that to thee?
I 'm gaen to see a lovely maid,
Mair fairer far than ye.

‘Now hae ye playd me this, fause love,
In simmer, mid the flowers?
I shall repay ye back again,
In winter, mid the showers.

‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye not turn again?
For as ye look to other women,
I shall to other men.’

‘Make your choice of whom you please,
For I my choice will have;
I 've chosen a maid more fair than thee,
I never will deceive.’

But she 's kilt up her claithing fine,
And after him gaed she;
But aye he said, Ye 'll turn again,
Nae farder gae wi me.

‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye never love me again?
Alas for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!’

The first an town that they came till,
He bought her brooch and ring;
And aye he bade her turn again,
And gang nae farder wi him.

‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye never love me again?
Alas for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!’

The next an town that they came till,
He bought her muff and gloves;
But aye he bade her turn again,
And choose some other loves.

‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love,
Will ye never love me again?
Alas for loving you sae well,
And you nae me again!’

The next an town that they came till,
His heart it grew mair fain,
And he was as deep in love wi her
As she was ower again.

The next an town that they came till,
He bought her wedding gown,
And made her lady of ha's and bowers
Into sweet Berwick town.