The Collier Laddie

By: Traditional

Verse 1

Oh, I've been east and I've been west, And I've been to Kirkcaldy; But the bonniest lassie that ever I saw, She was following a collier laddie.

Verse 2

" Oh where live ye my bonnie lass? And tell me what they ca'ye?" " Bonnier Jeanie Gordon is my name, And I'm following my collier laddie."

Verse 3

" O, see ye not yon hills and dales The sun shines on saw brawlie; They a'are mine, and they'll be thine, Gin ye'll leave your collier laddie.

Verse 4

And ye shall bask in gay attire, Weel busket up sae brawlie; And ane to wait on ev'ry hand, Gin ye'll leave your collier laddie.:

Verse 5

" Tho ye had a the sun shines on, And the earth conceals sae lowly, I would turn my back on you and it a', And embrace my collier laddie.

Verse 6

O, I can win my five pennies a day, And spend at night fu'brawlie; And make my bed in the collier's neuk, And lie doon wi'my collier laddie."

Verse 7

O, love for love's the bargain for me, Tho the wee cot house should haud me; And the world before me to win my bread, And fair fa'my collier laddie."