The Yowe Lamb

As Molly was milking her yowes one day,
Willie came to her and thus he did say,
"As your fingers go nimble, will you gang wi' me?"
And we'll ca' the yowes ower the knowes
Molly and me.

"Gang doon tae my faither and ask his guid will
Dae your best endeavours and try your best skill
And if he be willing, sure I'll gang wi' thee
And we'll ca' ...

"Good morrow, auld man, are you feeding your flock ?
Would you gie me a yowe lamb to rear up a stock?
And she will be weel fed doon by yon green lea"
And we'll ca' . ..

"Gang doon tae my sheepfold and choose a yowe lamb,
You're as welcome tae her as any young man,
And see that she's weel fed doon by yon green lea"
And we'll ca' ...

He took his young Molly all by the right hand
Saying, "This is the yowe lamb that I do demand
And she will be weel fed doon by yon green lea"
And we'll ca' ...

"Oh, faux, take you Willie, you did me beguile
Instead of a yowe lamb it was my ae child
But since I hae said it, sae lane let it be."
And we'll ca' . ..

"Was there ever an auld man bewitched as I am
Tae gie his ae daughter instead of a lamb ?
As her fingers go nimble, I'll let her go free"
And we'll ca' ...

From Songs of the People, Henry
RG