Braes of Balquidder

Will you go lassie go
To the braes of Balquidder
Where the high mountains run
And the bonnie blooming heather
Where the ram and the deer
They go bounding together
Spend a long summer day
By the braes of Balquidder

Oh no sir, she said,
I am too young to be your lover
For my age is scarce sixteen
And I dare not for my mother
And beside being so young
I am afraid you're some deceiver
That have come to charm me here
By the braes of Balquidder

Your beauty soon will alter
I will deprive you of this chance
And live happy with some other
I will roam this world all over
Until I find some maid of honor
That will go along with me
To the braes of Balquidder

Oh come back, oh come back
For I think you're no deceiver
oh come back, oh come back
I will never love none other
I will leave all my friends
Father, Mother, Sister, Brother
And I will go along with you
To the braes of Balquidder

Oh now they have gone
To that bonnie highland mountain
For to view the green fields
Likewise its silvery fountain
Its there they are united
And joined in love together
Spend a long summer day
By the braes of Balquidder

from the Fenwick Hatt manuscript
published in Fowke: Sea Songs and Ballads in 19th Cent Nova
Scotia
SOF