A Bold Lover Gay Ho, ho, you pretty lassy, ho, ho, you sweet little dear, Come sit you on my lap and do not fear. Why those rosy blushes, why those blushes, I say! All on account of a bold lover gag! Leave your father and mother and come along with me, And I will carry you to my home across the sea. Oh, oh, thou pretty lassy, oh, oh, thou sweet little May! All on account of a bold lover gay. No hard work for you there, I say, But silk and satin dresses, May! and all the day we'll laugh and play. Oh, you false young lover gay! Heigh-ho, thou pretty lassy, heigh-ho, thou sweet young May, Why do you look back at your old home so much As you go with him on the way? All on account of a bold lover gay. Heigh-ho, thou pretty lassy, heigh-ho, thou sweet young maid, You'll wish you at home had stayed, stayed, Nor left your old father and mother that day To go away with your bold lover gay. Heigh-ho, thou poor pale May, heigh-ho, thou poor young dear, 'Tis well nigh a year since you left here! And where are your silks and satins, May ? And what is that under your cloak, I say? All on account of a bold lover gay! From Ballads and Songs, Belden Collected from Miss Hamilton, 1909 DT #505 Laws P23 RG oct96
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!