DAINTY DAVIE.
[From the old song of “Daintie Davie” Burns has borrowed only the title and the measure. The ancient strain records how the Rev. David Williamson, to escape the pursuit of the dragoons, in the time of the persecution, was hid, by the devout Lady of Cherrytrees, in the same bed with her ailing daughter. The divine lived to have six wives beside the daughter of the Lady of Cherrytrees, and other children besides the one which his hiding from the dragoons produced. When and its upshot, he is said to have exclaimed, “God’s fish! that beats me and the oak: the man ought to be made a bishop.”]
I.
Now rosy May comes in wi’ flowers,
To deck her gay, green-spreading bowers;
And now comes in my happy hours,
To wander wi’ my Davie.
Meet me on the warlock knowe,
Dainty Davie, dainty Davie,
There I’ll spend the day wi’ you,
My ain dear dainty Davie.
II.
The crystal waters round us fa’,
The merry birds are lovers a’,
The scented breezes round us blaw,
A wandering wi’ my Davie.
III.
When purple morning starts the hare,
To steal upon her early fare,
Then thro’ the dews I will repair,
To meet my faithfu’ Davie
IV.
When day, expiring in the west,
The curtain draws o’ nature’s rest,
I flee to his arms I lo’e best,
And that’s my ain dear Davie.
Meet me on the warlock knowe,
Bonnie Davie, dainty Davie,
There I’ll spend the day wi’ you,
My ain dear dainty Davie.