Bonnie Annie

There was a rich merchant wha lived in Strathdinah.
And he had ae dochter whose name it was Annie.

There was a rich merchant wha cam' frae Dumbarton.
And he's got this bonnie lassie big, big wi' bairn.

Ye'll tak' ship wi' me and ye'll be my honey;
What more could a woman do than I'll do for ye?"

"O captain, tak' gold, O captain' tak' money'
And steer for dry land for the sake of my honey."

"How can l tak' gold. how can I tak' money?
There's fey folk on my ship, she winna sail for me."

"Tak' me by the fingers and lift me up heely
And throw me owre board and hae nae pity on me."

He's ta'en her by the fingers and did lift her up heely
And thrown her owre board though she was his ain dearie.

Her goon it was wide and her pettycoat narrow.
And she swam afore them till they cam' to Yarrow.

His love she was there when they ca'd to dry land,
And her lyin' deid on the saut'sea strand.

Her baby was born and lying at her feet
For the loss of his bonnie love sair did he greet.

He's caused mak' a kist o' the gowd sae yellow,
And they a' three sleep i' the braes o' Yarrow.

Child #24
From Folk Songs and Ballads of Scotland, MacColl
RG