Bogie's Bonny Belle

Traditional Scottish

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Ae Whitsun Day in Huntly toon,
It's there I did agree
Wi' Bogie o' Carnie,
A six-month for tae fee
Tae drive his twa best horses,
Tae cairt and harry and ploo
And dae ony thing aboot farm work
That I very weel could do

Noo, Bogie, he had a dochter;
Her name was Isabell
She was the lily o' the valley 
And the primrose o' the dell
And when she went oot walkin',
She chose me for her guide
Doon by the burn o' Carnie
Tae watch the sma' fish glide

When three lang months had passed and gane,
This lassie's lost her bloom
The red fell frae her rosy cheeks 
And her tears cam’ tumblin' doon
When nine lang months had passed and gane, 
She brought forth tae me a son
And I was quickly sent for
Tae see what could be done


I offered for tae marry her,
But ah, that wouldnae dae
He said “ye're no a match for my bonnie belle,
And she's no a match for ye"
Then he sent me packin' doon the road,
Wi' nae penny o' my fee
So, a' ye lads o' Huntly side,
A lang fareweel tae ye

Noo, she's married tae tinker chap,
Wha comes frae Huntly side
He plays faither tae me bonnie bairn
And husband tae me bride
And maybe she's gotten a better match, 
Auld Bogie cannae tell
But I was first tae win the hairt
O' Bogie's Bonnie Belle