In the case of _Bonnie
Lesley_, there was no question of a love-affair: the song is merely a
compliment to a young lady he met and admired. _Auld Rob Morris_ is
probably purely dramatic.
CA' THE YOWES
(Second Version)
Ca' the yowes to the knowes, [ewes, knolls]
Ca' them where the heather grows,
Ca' them where the burnie rows, [brooklet rolls]
My bonnie dearie.
Hark! the mavis' evening sang [thrush's]
Sounding Clouden's woods amang;
Then a-faulding let us gang, [a-folding, go]
My bonnie dearie.
We'll gae down by Clouden side, [go]
Thro' the hazels, spreading wide
O'er the waves that sweetly glide
To the moon sae clearly.
Yonder Clouden's silent towers,
Where at moonshine's midnight hours,
O'er the dewy bending flowers,
Fairies dance sae cheery.
Ghaist nor bogle shall thou fear; [Ghost, goblin]
Thou'rt to Love and Heaven sae dear,
Nocht of ill may come thee near, [Nought]
My bonnie dearie.
Fair and lovely as thou art,
Thou hast stown my very heart; [stolen]
I can die--but canna part,
My bonnie dearie.
AFTON WATER
Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise;
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.
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