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There were two sisters, Jane and Mary Ann,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
They were both in love with the same young man,
Down by the bonny busk of London.
The oldest one said to the youngest one day,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
"Let's go see our father's ship sail away."
Down by the bonny busk of London.
So they both went out so light and gay,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
To go see their father's ship sail away.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
The youngest one put her foot upon a stone,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
The oldest one, she shoved her in.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
Their lover, with his gentle hand,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
He brought the lady on dry land.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
He kissed her face, he kissed her hair,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
He kissed her lips so red and fair.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
He said, "My dear, 'tis you I love,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
More than the riches in heav'n above."
Down by the bonny busk of London.
She said, "Your riches great may be,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
But all I do crave is your fair body."
Down by the bonny busk of London.
He's mounted her on his milk-white steed,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
And away to his castle with all speed.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
He's dressed her up in silk so gay,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
All married to be that very day.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
You could not see her beautiful face,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
For it was covered all over with lace.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
You could not see her beautiful hair,
I went a-gay and a-gandy.
For the lumps of gold were lying there.
Down by the bonny busk of London.
A variant was collected in 1959 from Mrs. Charlotte Decker of Parson's Pond, NL, by Ken Peacock and published as The Bonny Busk Of London in Songs Of The Newfoundland Outports, Volume 1, p.179-180, by The National Museum of Canada (1965) Crown Copyrights Reserved.
