Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
A trooper lad cam’ here last nicht, Wi’ ridin’ he was weary.
A trooper lad cam’ here last nicht, Fan the moon shone bricht an’ clearly.
“Bonnie lassie, I’ll lienear ye noo, Bonnie lassie, I’ll lie near ye,
An’ I’ll far a’ your ribbons reel, Or the mornin’ ere I leave ye.”
She’s ta’en his heich horse by the heid, An’ she’s led him to the stable,
She’s gien him corn an’ hay till ate, As muckle as he was able.
She’s ta’en the trooper by the han’, An’ she’s led him to her chamber,
Shes gi’en him breid an’ wine to drink, An’ the wine it was like amber.
She’s made her bed baith lang an’ wide, An’ she’s made it like a lady,
She’s ta’en he wed coatie ower her heid, Says, “Trooper, are ye ready?”
He’s ta’en aff his big top coat, Likewise his hat an’ feather,
An’ he’s ta’en his broadsword fae his side, An’ noo he’s doon aside her.
They hadna’ been but an oor in bed, An oor an’ half a quarter,
Fan the drums cam’ beatin’ up the toon, An’ ilka beat was faster.
It’s “Up, up, up” an’ oor curnel cries, It’s “Up, up, up, an’ away,”
It’s “Up, up, up” an’ oor curnel cries, “For the morn’s oor battle day.”
She’s ta’en her wee cloakie ower her heid, An’ she’s followed him doon to Stirlin’
She’s grown sae fu’ an’ she couldna boo, An’ they left her in Dunferniline.
“Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye noo, Bonnie lassie, I maun leave ye,
An’ oh, but it does grieve me sair, That ever I lay sae near ye.”
It’s “Fan’ll ye come back again, My ain dear trooper laddie,
Fan’ll ye come back again, An’ be your bairn’s daddy?”
“O haud your tongue, by bonnie lass, Ne’er let this partin’ grieve ye,
When heather cowes grow ousen bows, Bonnie lassie, I’ll come an’ see ye.
” Cheese an’ breid for carles an’ dames,
Corn an’ hay for horses, Cups o’ tea for auld maids,
An’ bonnie lads for lasses.