Digital Tradition Mirror

Bobbie Shafto

Bobbie Shafto

     Bobbie Shafto's gane to sea,
     Siller buckles on his knee,
     He'll come back and marry me,
       Bonnie Bobbie Shafto.

     Bobbie Shafto's fat and fair,
     Combing down his yellow hair;
     He's my love for evermair,
       Bonnie Bobby Shafto.
     ________________________________________________________

     Nicht at Eenie (1932), 12, with music; Montgomerie SNR
     (1946), 90 (no. 112). This is a Northern song, shared by
     both sides of the border; but originally English.  See
     ODNR 90; Cuthbert Sharp, Bishoprick Garland (1834),
     [54], and tune, [85], from Topliff; Tyneside Songs
     (1891), 2; Bell RNB (1812), 283.  [With music in Bruce &
     Stokoe (1882), 115]:

     Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea,
     With silver buckles on his knee;
     He'll come back and marry me,
       Bonny Bobby Shaftoe.

     Bobby Shaftoe's bright and fair,
     Combing down his yellow hair,
     He's ma' ain for ever mair,
       Bonny Bobby Shaftoe.

     Bobby Shaftoe's getten a bairn,
     For to dandle in his airm;
     In his airm, and on his knee,
       Bobby Shaftoe loves me.

Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea, &c.

MS

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!