The Trooper and the Maid
18th Century
Child Ballad 299
A trooper lad came here last night,
With riding he was weary,
A trooper lad came here last night,
When the moon shone bright and clearly.
Chorus 1
Bonny lassie, I'll lie near you,
Hey bonny lassie, I'll lie near you,
I'll gar all your ribbons reel,
Bonny lassie, ere I leave you.
She's ta'en his high horse by the head,
She's led him to the stable,
She's given him both corn and hay
As much as he was able.
Chorus 1
She's ta'en the trooper by the hand
And led him to the table,
There's food and wine for a soldier here,
As much as he is able.
Chorus 1
She went upstairs to make the bed,
And she made it soft and easy.
She's pulled her petticoats o'er her head,
Crying, Soldier, are you ready ?
Chorus 1
He's taken off his big topcoat,
Likewise his hat and feather.
He's ta'en the broadsword from his side,
And now he's down beside her.
Chorus 1
They had not been an hour in bed,
An hour but and a quarter,
When the drums came beating up the town,
And every beat got shorter.
Chorus 2
Bonny lassie, I must leave you,
Now bonny lassie, I must leave you,
If ever I come this road again
I will come in and see you.
She's ta'en her gown out o'er her arms,
And followed him through Stirling.
She's grown so full she could not bow,
And he left her in Dunfermline.
Chorus 2
It's when will you come back again
To be your bairnie's daddy ?
When cockle shells grow silver bells
It's when I'll come and wed ye.
Chorus 2
DayPoems Poem No. 2568
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/2568.html">The Trooper and the Maid by Anonymous</a>
The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor
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