Dumbarton's drums sound bonnie-o, When on my soldier's knee, And he kisses and blesses his Annie-o! [From the Tea Table Miscellany, 1724.] JOHN HAY'S BONNY LASSIE. By smooth winding Tay a swain was reclining, To my bonny Hay that I am her lover! Nae mair it will hide, the flame waxes stranger; She's fresh as the Spring, and sweet as Aurora, But if she appear where verdure invites her, The fountains run clear, and flowers smell the sweeter; 'Tis heaven to be by when her wit is a-flowing, Her smiles and bright eye set my spirits a-glowing. The mair that I gaze, the deeper I'm wounded, [From the Tea Table Miscellany, 1724. It is said to be by Ramsay.] Without the help of art, Like flow'rs which grace the wild, O! had I a' the wealth Hopetoun's high mountains fill, And pleasure at my will; I'd promise, and fulfil, That none but bonnie she, Should share the same with me. [Sir William Cunningham, of Robertland, informed Burns on the authority of the Earl of Loudon, that Ramsay was struck with the appearance of a beautiful country girl, at a place called Patie's Mill, near New mills; and under the influence of her charms composed the above song. Published for the first time in the Tea Table Miscel lany, 1724.] THE BRAES OF BRANKSOME. ALLAN RAMSAY, As I came in by Teviot-side, And by the braes of Branksome, There first I saw my bonny bride, Young, smiling, sweet, and handsome; Her skin was safter than the down, Her hair a shining wavy brown; In straightness nane surpass'd her; Ae little coat, and bodice white, A thousand beauties of desert Before had scarce alarm'd me, I had nae heart to do her harm, Since heaven had dealt to me a routh, There plighting her my faith and trouth, [First appeared under the name of "The Generous Gentleman," in Allan Ramsay's collection, accompanied by instructions to sing it to the tune of "The Bonnie Lass of Branksome."] LASS WITH A LUMP OF LAND. ALLAN RAMSAY. Gi'e me a lass with a lump of land, Or black or fair, it makesna whether. Gi'e me a lass with a lump of land, And in my bosom I'll hug my treasure; |