R. Emery.
THE SANDGATE LASS ON THE ROPERY BANKS.
Tune—"The Skipper's Wedding."
On the Ropery-banks Jenny was sitting—
She had on a bed-gown just new,
And blithely the lassie was knitting
Wi' yarn of a bonny sky-blue.
The strings of her cap they were hinging,
Se lang, on her shoulders se fine,
And hearty I heard this lass singing—
My bonny keel lad shall be mine.
O wad the keel come down the river,
That I my dear laddie could see,
He whistles and dances se clever,
My bonny keel laddie for me.
Last neet, in amang these green dockings,
He fed me wi' gingerbread spice—
I promis'd to knit him his stockings,
He cuddled and kiss'd me se nice;
He ca'd me his jewel and hinney,
He ca'd me his pet and his bride,
And he swore that I should be his Jenny,
To lie at neets down by his side.
O wad the keel, &c.
That morning forget I will never,
When first I saw him on the Kee,
The 'Keel-row' he whistled se clever,
He won my affections frae me;
His drawers on his doup luik'd se canny,
His keel-hat was cock'd on his head,
And if I'd not getten my Jimmy,
Faith by this time I wad hae been dead.
O wad the keel, &c.
The first time I spoke to my Jimmy—
Now mind ye, it isn't a lee—
My mother had gi'en me a penny,
To get her a penn'orth o' tea;
When a lad i' the street cried out, 'Bessy!'
Says I, 'Hinny, that's not my nyem.'
'Becrike! never mind,' he said, 'lassie,
'To-neet I will see thee safe hyem."
O wad the keel, &c.
Since then I have been his true-lover,
And lov'd him as dear as my life,
And in spite o' baith father and mother,
I'll suin be my keel-laddie's wife;
How happy we'll be then together,
When he brings hyem his wages to me,
Wiv his bonny bit bairn crying 'Father,'
And another be lying o' my knee.
O wad the keel, &c.