Thursday 15 September 2011

O gin I were a baron's heir


This is a pretty little song by William Holder; here's the jolly tune on youtube.

Oh, gin I were a baron's heir,
And could I braid wi' gems your hair,
And make ye braw as ye are fair,
Lassie, would ye lo'e me?
And could I tak' ye to the town,
And show ye braw sights many a ane,
And busk ye fine in silken gown,
Lassie, would ye lo'e me?

Or should ye be content to prove,
In lowly life unfading love,
A heart that nought on earth could move,
Lassie, would ye lo'e me?
And ere the lav'rock wing the sky,
Say, would ye to the forest hie,
And work wi' me sae merrily,
Lassie, would ye lo'e me?

And when the braw moon glistens o'er,
Our wee bit bield and heathery muir,
Will ye na greet that we're sae puir,
Lassie, though I lo'e ye?
For I ha'e nought to offer ye,
Nae gowd frae mine, nae pearl frae sea,
Nor am I come o' hie degree,
Lassie, but I lo'e ye.


And since people seem to find this page looking for a translation, here it is:

Oh, if I were a baron's heir, and I could braid your hair with gems, and make you as smartly dressed as you are beautiful, lassie, would you love me? And if I could I take you to the town, and show you many fine sights, and dress you splendidly in a silken gown, lassie, would you love me?

Or would you be content to prove your unfading love in a lowly life, with a heart that nothing on earth could move; lassie, would you love me? And before the lark takes to the sky, tell me, would you go to the forest? Would you work with me so merrily? Lassie, would you love me?

And when the bright moon glistens over our little bit of shelter and the heathery moor, will you not cry because we're so poor, lassie, though I love you? For I have nothing to offer you - no gold from the mine, no pearl from the sea, nor am I come from a noble family, lassie, but I love you.

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