THE COLLIER LADDIE I’ve travelled east, I’ve travelled west I’ve travelled tae Kirkcaldy. The bonniest lass that e’er I saw Was followin’ the collier laddie. 'O, where live ye, my bonnie lass, And tell me how they ca' ye ?' 'Bonnie Jean Gordon is my name, And I’m following the collier laddie.' 'O, see you not yon hills and dales The sun shines on sae brawlie ? They a' are mine, and they shall be thine, Gin ye'll leave your collier laddie! 'An ye shall walk in silk attire, Weel buskit up sae gaudy, And ane to wait on every hand, Gin ye'll leave your collier laddie! 'Tho ye had a' the sun shines on, And the earth conceals sae lowly, I wad turn my back on you and it a', And embrace my collier laddie. Then he has gone tae her faither dear tae her faither gone sae brawly ‘gie tae me your bonnie lass, That’s followin’ the collier laddie. I’ll gie her rangs, I’ll gae her rents I’ll mak her a lady. I’ll mak her one o’ a higher degree than you’ll call your collier laddie.’ Her faither then, baith vowed an’ sweared, ‘Tho’ he’s black, he’s bonnie. She’s mair delight in him I fear Than you an’ a’ your money.
Music; traditional. Content copyright © 2000 held by the author; Ian Hall.
