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On the banks of the Tweed where the tides do run slowly,
Where lads and gay lasses sat there on each day;
I came here intent to give you the first offer,
So make up your mind without any delay.
Your father is out and the house it is lonely,
You'll ruin me tonight if you answer me no;
It lies in your power for to be my dearie,
So arise, bonny lassie, we'll bundle and go.
When your father was dying he gave me his blessing,
He told me for not to wed any but you,
His advice I have taken, 'twas you I first courted,
I always found you both constant and true.
Contentment with pleasure gives heir to my kingdom,
My heart beats with pleasure, come ill or come woe;
You'll find yourself happy when blessed with me, dearie,
Arise, bonnie lassie, we'll bundle and go.
There's a fig for excuses come pack up your linens,
Through woods and through valleys tonight we must gang;
There's dangers in talking and kissing and courting,
The day will be dawning before it is long.
Your father and mother no doubt will be hungry,
But time after time our riches will flow;
When they see our young children around the fire sitting,
If you'll only take courage to bundle and go.
Her tender young heart it began to grow weary,
She said while the tears in abundance did flow:
"It's hard to be teased though between love and beauty,
Although along with you I'd willingly go.
"But if I were to go without telling my father,
My fortune he'd keep and that you do know;
My mother would enrage and forever disown me,
Only for that would I willingly go."
Now, love linked us together by getting us married,
In peace and contentment the years rolled along;
Her tender young heart it grew happy and pleasant,
And for to please Ann I tried every plan.
O, now she's all my joy and my comfort,
And love into each other's arms does flow;
She blesses the hour she left father and mother,
And took my advice for to bundle and go.
Sung by Morris Houlihan [b.1885] of Flatrock, NL, and published in MacEdward Leach And The Songs Of Atlantic Canada © 2004 Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA).
