Glasgow Peggy (Hieland Lads)

Highland lads are brisk and braw
Highland lads are young and airy
But I'll awa to Glesga toon
And steal awa yon bonnie lassie.

When her father got word o'this
Oh but he was wondrous angry
Says "Ye may steal awa my ousen & my kye
But ye winna steal awa my lovely Peggy."

Keep weel aul' man your ousen & your kye
For I've got cows and ewes already
I winna steal awa your ousen & your kye
But I'll steal awa your lovely Peggy.

He's mounted her on his milk-white steed
Jumped up himself on his little gray nagie
And they rode thirty miles afore it was lang
So he's ta'en awa his lovely Peggy.

They rode o'er hills & they rode o'er dales
They rode through moors & mosses many
Until that they met the Earl o'Argyle
He was ridin' oot wi' his young son bonnie.

It's oot & spak the Earl o'Argyle
And oh but he was wondrous angry
To see the bonniest lass in a' the countryside
Gaun ridin awa wi' a Hielan laddie.

They rode o'er hilis, they rode through dales
They rode through moors & mosses mony
Until that they came to yon low glen
There he's lighted down wi' his lovely Peggy

Their bed was o' the good green grass
Their blankets & sheets o' the ferns bonnie
He's rolled up his plaid, laid it below her head
And she's lain her doon wi' her Hielan' laddie.

There is blankets & sheets in my father's hoose
And they're a' washed & dried already
And oh, wadna he right angry be at me
For lyin' doon wi' a Hielan' laddie.

There is 500 acres of good land
And it's a' ploughed & sown already
And oh wadna he richt angry be at me
For lyin' doon wi' a Hielan' laddie.

He's ta'en her up to yon high hill
When that the sun was yet shining clearly
Says "A' that is yours as far as ye can see
For lyin' doon wi' a Hielan' laddie.

A' that I promised you at the fIrst
Was a wee-cot hoose & a little kail yardie
But noo ye are the lady o' all the Isle of Skye
For lyin' doon wi' the Hielan laddie."

Child #228
From Singing Tradition of Child's Popular Ballads, Bronson
Recorded by MacColl and Peggy Seeger
RG